Deuteronomy 29:20

Authorized King James Version

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The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

Original Language Analysis

לֹֽא H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 1 of 26
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יֹאבֶ֣ה will H14
יֹאבֶ֣ה will
Strong's: H14
Word #: 2 of 26
to breathe after, i.e., (figuratively) to be acquiescent
יְהוָה֙ The LORD H3068
יְהוָה֙ The LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 3 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
סְלֹ֣חַֽ not spare H5545
סְלֹ֣חַֽ not spare
Strong's: H5545
Word #: 4 of 26
to forgive
לוֹ֒ H0
לוֹ֒
Strong's: H0
Word #: 5 of 26
כִּ֣י H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 6 of 26
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
אָ֠ז H227
אָ֠ז
Strong's: H227
Word #: 7 of 26
at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore
יֶעְשַׁ֨ן shall smoke H6225
יֶעְשַׁ֨ן shall smoke
Strong's: H6225
Word #: 8 of 26
to smoke, whether literal or figurative
אַף him but then the anger H639
אַף him but then the anger
Strong's: H639
Word #: 9 of 26
properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire
יְהוָה֙ The LORD H3068
יְהוָה֙ The LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 10 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
וְקִנְאָתוֹ֙ and his jealousy H7068
וְקִנְאָתוֹ֙ and his jealousy
Strong's: H7068
Word #: 11 of 26
jealousy or envy
בָּאִ֣ישׁ against that man H376
בָּאִ֣ישׁ against that man
Strong's: H376
Word #: 12 of 26
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הַה֔וּא H1931
הַה֔וּא
Strong's: H1931
Word #: 13 of 26
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
וְרָ֤בְצָה shall lie H7257
וְרָ֤בְצָה shall lie
Strong's: H7257
Word #: 14 of 26
to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); by implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed
בּוֹ֙ H0
בּוֹ֙
Strong's: H0
Word #: 15 of 26
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 16 of 26
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָ֣אָלָ֔ה and all the curses H423
הָ֣אָלָ֔ה and all the curses
Strong's: H423
Word #: 17 of 26
an imprecation
הַכְּתוּבָ֖ה that are written H3789
הַכְּתוּבָ֖ה that are written
Strong's: H3789
Word #: 18 of 26
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
בַּסֵּ֣פֶר in this book H5612
בַּסֵּ֣פֶר in this book
Strong's: H5612
Word #: 19 of 26
properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book
הַזֶּ֑ה H2088
הַזֶּ֑ה
Strong's: H2088
Word #: 20 of 26
the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that
וּמָחָ֤ה shall blot out H4229
וּמָחָ֤ה shall blot out
Strong's: H4229
Word #: 21 of 26
properly, to stroke or rub; by implication, to erase; also to smooth (as if with oil), i.e., grease or make fat
יְהוָה֙ The LORD H3068
יְהוָה֙ The LORD
Strong's: H3068
Word #: 22 of 26
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 23 of 26
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
שְׁמ֔וֹ his name H8034
שְׁמ֔וֹ his name
Strong's: H8034
Word #: 24 of 26
an appellation, as a mark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority, character
מִתַּ֖חַת H8478
מִתַּ֖חַת
Strong's: H8478
Word #: 25 of 26
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ from under heaven H8064
הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ from under heaven
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 26 of 26
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

Analysis & Commentary

The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man (לֹא־יֹאבֶה יְהוָה סְלֹחַ לוֹ)—The emphatic negation lo yoveh YHWH seloach lo ("the LORD will not be willing to forgive him") contradicts the apostate's self-absolution. God's qin'ah ("jealousy," covenant zeal) and af ("anger") will 'ashan ("smoke")—imagery of volcanic fury or smoking nostrils (Psalm 18:8).

All the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him (וְרָבְצָה בּוֹ כָּל־הָאָלָה)—The verb ravatz ("lie upon") pictures curse as a crouching predator ready to spring (compare Genesis 4:7, where sin "crouches" at Cain's door). Every 'alah enumerated in Deuteronomy 27-28 will seize the presumptuous apostate.

The LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven (וּמָחָה יְהוָה אֶת־שְׁמוֹ)—Machah ("blot out") signifies complete erasure from covenant records and collective memory. Ancient Near Eastern treaty curses threatened name obliteration—the ultimate dishonor. This echoes Exodus 32:33 ("Whoever has sinned against me, I will blot out of my book") and contrasts with faithful remembrance in God's book of life (Revelation 3:5).

Historical Context

Ancient covenant curses weren't merely punitive but covenant-enforcement mechanisms. Hittite, Assyrian, and Aramaic treaties conclude with elaborate curse formulas for treaty violation. Israel's covenant structure mirrors these, but with crucial distinction: Yahweh himself enforces terms, not impersonal fate or pantheon consensus. The smoking anger imagery may reference Mount Sinai's theophany (Exodus 19:18), where God's presence appeared in smoke and fire. Covenant making and covenant breaking both involve divine fire—one for sealing promises, the other for executing judgment.

Questions for Reflection

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