Deuteronomy Chapter 32 · Verse 42

Authorized King James Version

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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.

Original Language Analysis

אַשְׁכִּ֤יר drunk H7937
אַשְׁכִּ֤יר drunk
Strong's: H7937
Word #: 1 of 12
to become tipsy; in a qualified sense, to satiate with a stimulating drink or (figuratively) influence
חִצַּי֙ I will make mine arrows H2671
חִצַּי֙ I will make mine arrows
Strong's: H2671
Word #: 2 of 12
properly, a piercer, i.e., an arrow; by implication, a wound; figuratively, (of god) thunder-bolt; the shaft of a spear
מִדַּ֤ם and that with the blood H1818
מִדַּ֤ם and that with the blood
Strong's: H1818
Word #: 3 of 12
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
וְחַרְבִּ֖י and my sword H2719
וְחַרְבִּ֖י and my sword
Strong's: H2719
Word #: 4 of 12
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
תֹּאכַ֣ל shall devour H398
תֹּאכַ֣ל shall devour
Strong's: H398
Word #: 5 of 12
to eat (literally or figuratively)
בָּשָׂ֑ר flesh H1320
בָּשָׂ֑ר flesh
Strong's: H1320
Word #: 6 of 12
flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man
מִדַּ֤ם and that with the blood H1818
מִדַּ֤ם and that with the blood
Strong's: H1818
Word #: 7 of 12
blood (as that which when shed causes death) of man or an animal; by analogy, the juice of the grape; figuratively (especially in the plural) bloodshe
חָלָל֙ of the slain H2491
חָלָל֙ of the slain
Strong's: H2491
Word #: 8 of 12
pierced (especially to death); figuratively, polluted
וְשִׁבְיָ֔ה and of the captives H7633
וְשִׁבְיָ֔ה and of the captives
Strong's: H7633
Word #: 9 of 12
exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively)
מֵרֹ֖אשׁ from the beginning H7218
מֵרֹ֖אשׁ from the beginning
Strong's: H7218
Word #: 10 of 12
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
פַּרְע֥וֹת of revenges H6546
פַּרְע֥וֹת of revenges
Strong's: H6546
Word #: 11 of 12
leadership (plural concretely, leaders)
אוֹיֵֽב׃ upon the enemy H341
אוֹיֵֽב׃ upon the enemy
Strong's: H341
Word #: 12 of 12
hating; an adversary

Analysis & Commentary

I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh (אַשְׁכִּיר חִצַּי מִדָּם וְחַרְבִּי תֹּאכַל בָּשָׂר)—the Hebrew ashkir (make drunk) personifies arrows as becoming intoxicated with blood. Chitzai (my arrows) and charbi (my sword) execute divine judgment; the sword to'khal (devours/eats) basar (flesh) like a ravenous beast. This shocking imagery depicts total, decisive judgment—no half measures, no survivors among the impenitent.

And that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy (מִדַּם חָלָל וְשִׁבְיָה מֵרֹאשׁ פַּרְעוֹת אוֹיֵב)—chalal (slain) and shivyah (captives) indicate comprehensive defeat. Me-rosh par'ot oyev (from the head/beginning of the enemy's leaders) suggests judgment begins with enemy commanders, the "longhaired" warriors or princes. God's vengeance is thorough and begins at the top of Israel's oppressors' power structure.

Historical Context

This graphic battle imagery was standard in ancient Near Eastern victory hymns and royal inscriptions. However, Israel's tradition uniquely attributes military victory to divine intervention rather than royal prowess. The language anticipates prophetic oracles against nations (Isaiah 13; 34; Jeremiah 46-51; Ezekiel 25-32) and Revelation's imagery of Christ's return (Revelation 19:13, 15). Early church interpretation saw this as eschatological—God's final judgment on evil.

Questions for Reflection