Deuteronomy 29:19
And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:
Original Language Analysis
וְהָיָ֡ה
H1961
וְהָיָ֡ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּשָׁמְעוֹ֩
And it come to pass when he heareth
H8085
בְּשָׁמְעוֹ֩
And it come to pass when he heareth
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
2 of 21
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
דִּבְרֵ֨י
the words
H1697
דִּבְרֵ֨י
the words
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
4 of 21
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
וְהִתְבָּרֵ֨ךְ
that he bless
H1288
וְהִתְבָּרֵ֨ךְ
that he bless
Strong's:
H1288
Word #:
7 of 21
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
בִּלְבָב֤וֹ
himself in his heart
H3824
בִּלְבָב֤וֹ
himself in his heart
Strong's:
H3824
Word #:
8 of 21
the heart (as the most interior organ)
שָׁל֣וֹם
I shall have peace
H7965
שָׁל֣וֹם
I shall have peace
Strong's:
H7965
Word #:
10 of 21
safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace
יִֽהְיֶה
H1961
יִֽהְיֶה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
11 of 21
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּ֛י
though
H3588
כִּ֛י
though
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 21
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לִבִּ֖י
of mine heart
H3820
לִבִּ֖י
of mine heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
15 of 21
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
אֵלֵ֑ךְ
H1980
אֵלֵ֑ךְ
Strong's:
H1980
Word #:
16 of 21
to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
לְמַ֛עַן
H4616
לְמַ֛עַן
Strong's:
H4616
Word #:
17 of 21
properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that
סְפ֥וֹת
to add
H5595
סְפ֥וֹת
to add
Strong's:
H5595
Word #:
18 of 21
properly, to scrape (literally, to shave; but usually figuratively) together (i.e., to accumulate or increase) or away (i.e., to scatter, remove, or r
Cross References
Jeremiah 7:24But they hearkened not, nor inclined their ear, but walked in the counsels and in the imagination of their evil heart, and went backward, and not forward.Numbers 15:39And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring:Numbers 15:30But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously, whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people.Ephesians 4:17This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,Deuteronomy 17:2If there be found among you, within any of thy gates which the LORD thy God giveth thee, man or woman, that hath wrought wickedness in the sight of the LORD thy God, in transgressing his covenant,Psalms 49:18Though while he lived he blessed his soul: and men will praise thee, when thou doest well to thyself.Psalms 10:11He hath said in his heart, God hath forgotten: he hideth his face; he will never see it.Proverbs 29:1He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.Jeremiah 44:27Behold, I will watch over them for evil, and not for good: and all the men of Judah that are in the land of Egypt shall be consumed by the sword and by the famine, until there be an end of them.Jeremiah 3:17At that time they shall call Jerusalem the throne of the LORD; and all the nations shall be gathered unto it, to the name of the LORD, to Jerusalem: neither shall they walk any more after the imagination of their evil heart.
Historical Context
This warning targets covenant presumption—assuming Yahweh's protection while violating covenant terms. Ancient Israel could fall into ethnic presumption ("We're Abraham's descendants") or cultic presumption ("We offer sacrifices"). John the Baptist and Jesus confronted this mentality (Matthew 3:9, John 8:39). The phenomenon appears throughout redemptive history: Eli's sons presumed on priesthood (1 Samuel 2-4), Judah trusted the temple's presence (Jeremiah 7:4), false teachers presumed on grace (Jude 4).
Questions for Reflection
- In what ways might Christians today presume on grace while walking in deliberate sin (Romans 6:1-2)?
- How does self-blessing (self-justification) differ from genuine assurance grounded in Christ's righteousness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
When he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart (וְהִתְבָּרֵךְ בִּלְבָבוֹ)—The reflexive verb hitbarekh ("bless himself") describes self-deception, pronouncing personal absolution despite covenant violation. The presumptuous apostate hears the 'alah ("curse," oath-stipulations) yet claims shalom ("peace," well-being) while walking in sherirut lev ("imagination/stubbornness of heart").
This phrase sherirut lev appears frequently in Jeremiah (3:17, 7:24, 9:14, 11:8, 13:10, 16:12, 18:12, 23:17) to characterize rebellious self-will—following one's own counsel rather than God's word. It denotes hardened autonomy, the opposite of circumcised heart obedience (Deuteronomy 10:16, 30:6).
To add drunkenness to thirst (לְמַעַן סְפוֹת הָרָוָה אֶת־הַצְּמֵאָה)—This cryptic idiom likely means "to sweep away the watered with the dry" or "to add the drunk to the thirsty," suggesting total destruction without distinction. Some interpret it as the apostate's insatiable pursuit of sin (drinking excessively when already drunk), others as corporate judgment where the guilty destroy the innocent. Either way, presumption brings comprehensive ruin.