Deuteronomy 32:42
Deuteronomy 32:42 in Multiple Translations
I will make My arrows drunk with blood, while My sword devours flesh— the blood of the slain and captives, the heads of the enemy leaders.”
I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.
I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, And my sword shall devour flesh; With the blood of the slain and the captives, From the head of the leaders of the enemy.
I will make my arrows red with blood, my sword will be feasting on flesh, with the blood of the dead and the prisoners, of the long-haired heads of my haters.
My arrows will become drunk with blood, as my sword eats flesh; the blood of those who are killed and captured, the heads of the enemy's leaders.”
I will make mine arrowes drunke with blood, (and my sword shall eate flesh) for the blood of the slaine, and of the captiues, when I beginne to take vengeance of the enemie.
I make drunk Mine arrows with blood, And My sword devoureth flesh, From the blood of the pierced and captive, From the head of the freemen of the enemy.
I will make my arrows drunk with blood. My sword shall devour flesh with the blood of the slain and the captives, from the head of the leaders of the enemy.”
I will make my arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.
I will make my arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh, of the blood of the slain and of the captivity, of the bare head of the enemies.
I will kill all of my enemies with a sword; it will be as though I had arrows that will be covered with their blood. I will kill [MTY] all those whom I capture and cut off their leaders’ heads.’
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 32:42
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 32:42 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
אַשְׁכִּ֤יר
חִצַּ/י֙
מִ/דָּ֔ם
וְ/חַרְבִּ֖/י
תֹּאכַ֣ל
בָּשָׂ֑ר
מִ/דַּ֤ם
חָלָל֙
וְ/שִׁבְיָ֔ה
מֵ/רֹ֖אשׁ
פַּרְע֥וֹת
אוֹיֵֽב
אַשְׁכִּ֤יר
shâkar
H7937
be drunk
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs
חִצַּ/י֙
chêts
H2671
arrow
N-mp | Suff
מִ/דָּ֔ם
dâm
H1818
blood
Prep | N-ms
וְ/חַרְבִּ֖/י
chereb
H2719
sword
Conj | N-fs | Suff
תֹּאכַ֣ל
ʼâkal
H398
to eat
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
בָּשָׂ֑ר
bâsâr
H1320
flesh
N-ms
מִ/דַּ֤ם
dâm
H1818
blood
Prep | N-ms
חָלָל֙
châlâl
H2491
slain
Adj
וְ/שִׁבְיָ֔ה
shibyâh
H7633
captive
Conj | N-cs
מֵ/רֹ֖אשׁ
rôʼsh
H7218
head
Prep | N-ms
פַּרְע֥וֹת
parʻâh
H6546
leader
N-mp
אוֹיֵֽב
ʼôyêb
H341
enemy
V-Qal
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 32:42
אַשְׁכִּ֤יר
shâkar
H7937
"be drunk"
V-Hiphil-Imperf-1cs
To become drunk or intoxicated, as warned against in Proverbs 23:20. This word describes the state of being under the influence. It is used in various forms, including making someone drunk or being merry.
Definition: 1) to be or become drunk or drunken, be intoxicated 1a) (Qal) to become drunken 1b)(Piel) to make drunken, cause to be drunk 1c) (Hiphil) to cause to be drunk 1d) (Hithpael) to make oneself drunk
Usage: Occurs in 19 OT verses. KJV: (be filled with) drink (abundantly), (be, make) drunk(-en), be merry. (Superlative of H8248 (שָׁקָה).) See also: Genesis 9:21; Isaiah 63:6; Isaiah 29:9.
חִצַּ/י֙
chêts
H2671
"arrow"
N-mp | Suff
An arrow is a sharp object shot from a bow, used for hunting or battle, like those used by archers in the book of Judges. It can also symbolize God's powerful judgment.
Definition: arrow
Usage: Occurs in 42 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] archer, arrow, dart, shaft, staff, wound. See also: Genesis 49:23; Psalms 91:5; Psalms 7:14.
מִ/דָּ֔ם
dâm
H1818
"blood"
Prep | N-ms
Blood refers to the liquid that flows through the body, essential for life. In the Bible, blood is often used to symbolize life, guilt, or sacrifice, as seen in the story of Jesus' crucifixion.
Definition: 1) blood 1a) of wine (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 295 OT verses. KJV: blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent. See also: Genesis 4:10; Numbers 19:5; Psalms 5:7.
וְ/חַרְבִּ֖/י
chereb
H2719
"sword"
Conj | N-fs | Suff
A sword or cutting instrument is what this Hebrew word refers to, including knives and tools for cutting stone. It is used in the Bible to describe weapons and sharp objects.
Definition: 1) sword, knife 1a) sword 1b) knife 1c) tools for cutting stone
Usage: Occurs in 372 OT verses. KJV: axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool. See also: Genesis 3:24; 2 Samuel 2:16; Psalms 7:13.
תֹּאכַ֣ל
ʼâkal
H398
"to eat"
V-Qal-Imperf-3fs
This word means to eat or devour, and it's used in many stories, including when Jesus fed the 5000 with fish and bread in the book of Matthew. It's about taking in nourishment and being satisfied.
Definition: 1) to eat, devour, burn up, feed 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to eat (human subject) 1a2) to eat, devour (of beasts and birds) 1a3) to devour, consume (of fire) 1a4) to devour, slay (of sword) 1a5) to devour, consume, destroy (inanimate subjects - ie, pestilence, drought) 1a6) to devour (of oppression) 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to be eaten (by men) 1b2) to be devoured, consumed (of fire) 1b3) to be wasted, destroyed (of flesh) 1c) (Pual) 1c1) to cause to eat, feed with 1c2) to cause to devour 1d) (Hiphil) 1d1) to feed 1d2) to cause to eat 1e) (Piel) 1e1) consume Aramaic equivalent: a.khal (אֲכַל "to devour" H0399)
Usage: Occurs in 703 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] at all, burn up, consume, devour(-er, up), dine, eat(-er, up), feed (with), food, [idiom] freely, [idiom] in...wise(-deed, plenty), (lay) meat, [idiom] quite. See also: Genesis 2:16; Leviticus 6:9; Numbers 24:8.
בָּשָׂ֑ר
bâsâr
H1320
"flesh"
N-ms
The Hebrew word for flesh refers to the body or a person, and can also describe living things or animals. In the Bible, it is used to describe humans and animals, as in Genesis and Leviticus.
Definition: 1) flesh 1a) of the body 1a1) of humans 1a2) of animals 1b) the body itself 1c) male organ of generation (euphemism) 1d) kindred, blood-relations 1e) flesh as frail or erring (man against God) 1f) all living things 1g) animals 1h) mankind Aramaic equivalent: be.shar (בְּשַׁר "flesh" H1321)
Usage: Occurs in 241 OT verses. KJV: body, (fat, lean) flesh(-ed), kin, (man-) kind, [phrase] nakedness, self, skin. See also: Genesis 2:21; Numbers 11:21; Psalms 16:9.
מִ/דַּ֤ם
dâm
H1818
"blood"
Prep | N-ms
Blood refers to the liquid that flows through the body, essential for life. In the Bible, blood is often used to symbolize life, guilt, or sacrifice, as seen in the story of Jesus' crucifixion.
Definition: 1) blood 1a) of wine (fig.)
Usage: Occurs in 295 OT verses. KJV: blood(-y, -guiltiness, (-thirsty), [phrase] innocent. See also: Genesis 4:10; Numbers 19:5; Psalms 5:7.
חָלָל֙
châlâl
H2491
"slain"
Adj
This word describes something or someone that has been profaned or hurt, like in Numbers 35:33. It can also mean to be pierced or wounded, as in physically harmed.
Definition: : killed 1) slain, fatally wounded, pierced 1a) pierced, fatally wounded 1b) slain Also means: cha.lal (חָלָל ": wounded" H2491H)
Usage: Occurs in 85 OT verses. KJV: kill, profane, slain (man), [idiom] slew, (deadly) wounded. See also: Genesis 34:27; Isaiah 66:16; Psalms 69:27.
וְ/שִׁבְיָ֔ה
shibyâh
H7633
"captive"
Conj | N-cs
Shibyah refers to a state of captivity or being held prisoner. In the Bible, it describes the Israelites' experience of being exiled and held captive by other nations.
Definition: 1) captivity, captives 1a) (state of) captivity 1b) captives
Usage: Occurs in 12 OT verses. KJV: captives(-ity). See also: Deuteronomy 21:11; 2 Chronicles 28:11; Jeremiah 48:46.
מֵ/רֹ֖אשׁ
rôʼsh
H7218
"head"
Prep | N-ms
This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.
Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum
Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.
פַּרְע֥וֹת
parʻâh
H6546
"leader"
N-mp
This Hebrew word means a leader or commander, and is used in various biblical contexts to describe someone in charge. It appears in 2 Kings 9:14 and other passages, often referring to a military leader. The word is also translated as 'avenging' or 'revenge' in some cases.
Definition: leader, commander
Usage: Occurs in 2 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] avenging, revenge. See also: Deuteronomy 32:42; Judges 5:2.
אוֹיֵֽב
ʼôyêb
H341
"enemy"
V-Qal
This Hebrew word means enemy or adversary, referring to someone who hates or opposes another person or nation. It is used to describe personal or national enemies in the Bible.
Definition: 1) (Qal) enemy 1a) personal 1b) national
Usage: Occurs in 275 OT verses. KJV: enemy, foe. See also: Genesis 22:17; 2 Samuel 22:1; Psalms 3:8.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 32:42
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 32:42 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 32:42
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 32:42
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:42
- Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:42
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:42
- Adam Clarke's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:42
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 32:42
- Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:42
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 32:42
Context — The Song of Moses
40For I lift up My hand to heaven and declare: As surely as I live forever,
41when I sharpen My flashing sword, and My hand grasps it in judgment, I will take vengeance on My adversaries and repay those who hate Me.
42I will make My arrows drunk with blood, while My sword devours flesh— the blood of the slain and captives, the heads of the enemy leaders.”
43Rejoice, O heavens, with Him, and let all God’s angels worship Him. Rejoice, O nations, with His people; for He will avenge the blood of His children. He will take vengeance on His adversaries and repay those who hate Him; He will cleanse His land and His people. 44Then Moses came with Joshua son of Nun and recited all the words of this song in the hearing of the people.Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 32:23 | I will heap disasters upon them; I will spend My arrows against them. |
| 2 | Jeremiah 46:10 | For that day belongs to the Lord GOD of Hosts, a day of vengeance against His foes. The sword will devour until it is satisfied, until it is quenched with their blood. For the Lord GOD of Hosts will hold a sacrifice in the land of the north by the River Euphrates. |
| 3 | Ezekiel 38:21–22 | And I will summon a sword against Gog on all My mountains, declares the Lord GOD, and every man’s sword will be against his brother. I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed. I will pour out torrents of rain, hailstones, fire, and sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him. |
| 4 | Jeremiah 46:14 | “Announce it in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol; proclaim it in Memphis and Tahpanhes: ‘Take your positions and prepare yourself, for the sword devours those around you.’ |
| 5 | Jeremiah 16:10 | When you tell these people all these things, they will ask you, ‘Why has the LORD pronounced all this great disaster against us? What is our guilt? What is the sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?’ |
| 6 | Lamentations 2:5 | The Lord is like an enemy; He has swallowed up Israel. He has swallowed up all her palaces and destroyed her strongholds. He has multiplied mourning and lamentation for the Daughter of Judah. |
| 7 | Psalms 68:23 | that your foot may be dipped in the blood of your foes— the tongues of your dogs in the same.” |
| 8 | Jeremiah 30:14 | All your lovers have forgotten you; they no longer seek you, for I have struck you as an enemy would, with the discipline of someone cruel, because of your great iniquity and your numerous sins. |
| 9 | Ezekiel 35:6–8 | therefore as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will give you over to bloodshed and it will pursue you. Since you did not hate bloodshed, it will pursue you. I will make Mount Seir a desolate waste and will cut off from it those who come and go. I will fill its mountains with the slain; those killed by the sword will fall on your hills, in your valleys, and in all your ravines. |
| 10 | Job 13:24 | Why do You hide Your face and consider me as Your enemy? |
Deuteronomy 32:42 Summary
In Deuteronomy 32:42, God is describing how He will judge and punish those who are against Him and His people. He uses powerful images, like arrows drunk with blood and a sword devouring flesh, to show how completely He will defeat His enemies. This is not because God is cruel, but because He is holy and just, as we see in Psalm 119:137-138, where God's justice is a reflection of His righteousness. God's goal is to protect and care for His people, and sometimes that means punishing those who harm them, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:43, where God will avenge the blood of His children.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for God's arrows to be drunk with blood in Deuteronomy 32:42?
This is a metaphorical expression indicating the thoroughness of God's judgment, where His arrows, symbolizing His wrath, are saturated with the blood of the wicked, as seen in similar imagery in Isaiah 34:6 and Jeremiah 46:10.
Why does God describe His sword devouring flesh in this verse?
The sword represents God's powerful judgment, and its devouring of flesh signifies the complete destruction of His enemies, echoing the concept of God's wrath in Psalm 110:5-6 and Revelation 19:15.
Who are the enemy leaders mentioned in Deuteronomy 32:42?
The enemy leaders refer to those who oppose God and His people, as seen in Deuteronomy 32:41, where God takes vengeance on His adversaries and those who hate Him, similar to the concept in Psalm 68:21 and Romans 2:5-6.
Is God's description of violence in Deuteronomy 32:42 contradictory to His nature as a God of love?
God's actions in Deuteronomy 32:42 are a display of His holy justice, as seen in Romans 11:22, where God's goodness and severity are balanced, and in Nahum 1:2-3, where God's wrath is a necessary response to sin and rebellion.
Reflection Questions
- How does the imagery in Deuteronomy 32:42 challenge my understanding of God's justice and mercy?
- In what ways can I see God's judgment and vengeance in the world today, and how should I respond to it?
- What does this verse teach me about the importance of respecting and revering God's power and authority?
- How can I apply the concept of God's holiness and justice in my own life, especially in relation to my enemies or those who oppose me?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 32:42
I will make mine arrows drunk with blood,.... Signifying, that by various judgments he would bring upon them, which, like arrows, would come suddenly, fly swiftly, and pierce deeply, there would be a
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 32:42
I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy. From the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:42
Of the captives; whom my sword hath sorely wounded, though not utterly killed. From the beginning of revenges upon the enemy, i.e. when once I begin to revenge myself and my people upon mine and their enemies, I will go on and make a full end. Or, with the head, or with the blood of the head, i.e. of the chief or chiefs, of the revenges of the enemy, i. e. of the revengeful or malicious enemy of God and of his people. The noun substantive is oft put for the adjective; as , a multitude of nations is put for many nations, , changes of raiment, i.e. changeable raiment; and , the king’ s strength, i.e. the strong and mighty king; and so here, the revenges of the enemy, i.e. the revengeful enemy. And by the head may be here understood either the devil, or the beads and rulers of those empires which were enemies to God’ s people. Or, of the head shall be the revenges upon the enemies, i.e. I will take vengeance upon all mine enemies, yea, upon the head or heads of them.
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:42
Deuteronomy 32:42 I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; [and that] with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.Ver. 42. From the beginning of revenges.] I will begin my revenges at the beginning of theirs. Esau began early with his brother Jacob, even in the very womb, and so held on; but God was even with him.
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:42
(42) My sword shall devour flesh.—Comp. Isaiah 66:16 : “For by fire and by His sword will the Lord plead with all flesh, and the slain of the Lord shall be many” With blood.—Literally, from the blood of the slain and of the captivity, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy. Judgment must begin at the house of God, as it did in Ezekiel’s vision (Ezekiel 9:6), “and begin at my sanctuary;” but it will not end there.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:42
Verse 42. From the beginning of revenges] The word פרעות paroth, rendered revenges, a sense in which it never appears to be taken, has rendered this place very perplexed and obscure. Mr. Parkhurst has rendered the whole passage thus: - I will make my arrows drunk with blood; And my sword shall devour flesh, With the blood of the slain and captive From the hairy head of the enemy. Probably מראש פרעות merosh paroth may be more properly translated, from the naked head - the enemy shall have nothing to shield him from my vengeance; the crown of dignity shall fall off, and even the helmet be no protection against the sword and arrows of the Lord.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 32:42
42. and the captives] Assigned to death later. leaders] So LXX ἀρχόντων, Heb. para‘τth, Ar. fara‘, to excel; A.V. beginning of revenges from the analogy of Aram. phara. In Numbers 6:5, Ezekiel 44:20, pere‘ = flowing locks. Cp. W. R. Smith on Judges 5:2, in Black’s Judges, in Smaller Cambridge Bible for Schools. 43Sing, O ye nations, His people, For His servants’ blood He avengeth, And vengeance He wreaks on His foes, And assoils the land of His people.
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 32:42
42. From the beginning of revenges upon the enemy — The translation in our Authorized Version is manifestly incorrect. From the heads of the leaders of the enemy is a literal translation.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 32:42
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
Revelation - Part 2 by Zac Poonen | In this sermon, the preacher discusses the concept of books in ancient times, comparing them to scrolls and even a rolled-up videotape. The sermon then delves into the idea of a "v |
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How Can a Man Know That He Is Saved? by Rolfe Barnard | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on Deuteronomy chapter 32 and specifically verses 35 and 36. He suggests that these verses can be interpreted in different ways, either as a me |
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America Is Finished, unless... by Pierre Bynum | Pierre Bynum preaches about the impending judgment on America due to its sins and departure from God, emphasizing the need for national repentance and a God-sent Awakening to avert |
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The King of the North by John F. Walvoord | John F. Walvoord preaches about the prophetic significance of the great world conflict predicted in the Scriptures, involving a revived Roman Empire, a ten-nation confederacy, and |
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A Cry Against Wicked Youth! by David Wilkerson | David Wilkerson delivers a powerful sermon titled 'A Cry Against Wicked Youth!' where he draws parallels between the wickedness of Nineveh and the moral decline of modern youth. He |
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God's Truth About Responsibility by Russell Kelfer | In this sermon, the preacher addresses the controversial topic of responsibility and who is to blame for our problems. He discusses the common belief that Satan is responsible for |
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The Question by Warren Wiersbe | Warren Wiersbe delves into Psalms 10:1-13, exploring the profound question of 'Why?' that David raises three times in this psalm. He contrasts the atheist, rationalist, and legalis |