Deuteronomy Chapter 7 · Verse 10

Authorized King James Version

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And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.

Original Language Analysis

יְשַׁלֶּם And repayeth H7999
יְשַׁלֶּם And repayeth
Strong's: H7999
Word #: 1 of 12
to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate
לְשֹׂ֣נְא֔וֹ them that hate H8130
לְשֹׂ֣נְא֔וֹ them that hate
Strong's: H8130
Word #: 2 of 12
to hate (personally)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 3 of 12
near, with or among; often in general, to
פָּנָ֖יו him to his face H6440
פָּנָ֖יו him to his face
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 4 of 12
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
לְהַֽאֲבִיד֑וֹ to destroy H6
לְהַֽאֲבִיד֑וֹ to destroy
Strong's: H6
Word #: 5 of 12
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
לֹ֤א H3808
לֹ֤א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 6 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יְאַחֵר֙ them he will not be slack H309
יְאַחֵר֙ them he will not be slack
Strong's: H309
Word #: 7 of 12
to loiter (i.e., be behind); by implication to procrastinate
לְשֹׂ֣נְא֔וֹ them that hate H8130
לְשֹׂ֣נְא֔וֹ them that hate
Strong's: H8130
Word #: 8 of 12
to hate (personally)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 9 of 12
near, with or among; often in general, to
פָּנָ֖יו him to his face H6440
פָּנָ֖יו him to his face
Strong's: H6440
Word #: 10 of 12
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
יְשַׁלֶּם And repayeth H7999
יְשַׁלֶּם And repayeth
Strong's: H7999
Word #: 11 of 12
to be safe (in mind, body or estate); figuratively, to be (causatively, make) completed; by implication, to be friendly; by extension, to reciprocate
לֽוֹ׃ H0
לֽוֹ׃
Strong's: H0
Word #: 12 of 12

Analysis & Commentary

God's righteous judgment balances His covenant mercy. 'Repayeth them that hate him to their face' (meshalleim leson'av el-panav) means swift, direct, personal judgment. The phrase 'to their face' emphasizes that God's justice is neither delayed nor indirect—He confronts rebellion openly. 'He will not be slack' (lo ye'acher) means God doesn't procrastinate in judgment. This vindicates God's holy character—He cannot overlook sin. The Hebrew parallelism (repeating 'to their face' and 'repay') emphasizes certainty and immediacy. This is the flip side of election: those who persist in hating God receive judgment. Romans 2:5-6 affirms this principle: God 'will render to every man according to his deeds.'

Historical Context

Israel's history demonstrates this principle repeatedly. Those who 'hated' God (rebelled against His covenant) faced immediate judgment: Korah's rebellion (Numbers 16), Achan's theft (Joshua 7), Uzzah's irreverence (2 Samuel 6:7). The Canaanite nations received judgment 'to their face' through Israel's conquest. The northern kingdom's persistent idolatry led to Assyrian exile (722 BC); Judah's apostasy resulted in Babylonian captivity (586 BC). God's judgment, though patient, arrives with certainty.

Questions for Reflection