Deuteronomy 32:25
Outdoors the sword shall bereave, and indoors terror, for young man and woman alike, the nursing child with the man of gray hairs.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The verse emphasizes a total devastation, not just by outward war but also by inner fear and chaos, affecting every single person—from the most innocent child to the oldest elder. This speaks to a complete societal breakdown where no one is spared, highlighting the comprehensive ruin that results from God's judgment.
This passage comes from Moses' final song to Israel, delivered just before they enter the Promised Land. He's recounting God's faithfulness and Israel's repeated rebellion, emphasizing that their prosperity has led to arrogance and turning away from God. The song warns of severe judgment, picturing a complete devastation that spares no one.
When God's judgment falls, who is spared? This verse paints a grim picture of total devastation.
Deuteronomy 32:25 reveals the comprehensive nature of God's wrath when a people turns away from Him. The language used is stark and inclusive:
When God's people turn hostile against Him, the very things they might rely on can become instruments of His judgment.
The verse presents a dual threat: the 'sword without' and 'terror within.' These aren't random acts of violence but are depicted as the direct consequences of God's judgment upon a disobedient people.
These are not presented as mere coincidences but as God's active hand punishing sin. As commentators note, this reflects God's righteous anger when His covenant people forsake Him. The judgment is not only external but also penetrates the heart of their community and lives.
Understand the original words
chereb · Hebrew Noun
A weapon of war or a tool for executing justice, often used symbolically to denote the destruction brought about by warfare, violence, and the ultimate judgment of God.
'emah · Hebrew Noun
An intense state of dread, panic, or overwhelming anxiety, often used to describe the psychological and social collapse that accompanies divine judgment.
This verse, spoken by Moses, is a dire prophecy of the total devastation that will come upon Israel if they continue in their rebellion against God. It paints a grim picture of a city or land under siege, where no one – not the young, the old, the vulnerable infants, or the protected virgins – is spared from the twin horrors of external warfare and internal terror.
c. 1400 BC
Exodus and Wilderness Wanderings
God delivers Israel from Egyptian slavery and leads them through the wilderness, providing for them miraculously. This period is foundational to their covenant relationship with God.
c. 1400-1200 BC
Conquest of Canaan
After 40 years in the wilderness, Joshua leads the Israelites into the Promised Land, conquering its inhabitants. This establishes them in the land God promised to Abraham.
c. 1000 BC
United Monarchy
Saul, David, and Solomon reign over a united Israel. This era sees the establishment of Jerusalem as the capital and the construction of the Temple.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah. This division weakens the nation.
This passage describes similar divine punishments for disobedience, including terror and destruction that consume people and bring them to ruin.
Jeremiah 14:18This verse paints a vivid picture of destruction by sword and famine, affecting all levels of society, from the prophet to the farmer, mirroring the comprehensive devastation described in Deuteronomy.
Lamentations 2:10-11This passage from Lamentations shows the elders and virgins of Zion falling to the ground, and the young children crying for food, illustrating the widespread terror and destruction among all ages.
Ezekiel 7:15This verse details the pervasive fear and destruction faced by those outside and inside the city, with the sword and terror consuming everyone, reflecting the total devastation in Deuteronomy.
calvinDeuteronomy 32:1-52: "Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth."
They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.
Ipsi ad zelum provocaverunt me, in eo quod non est Deus, ad iracundiam me provocaverunt in vanitatibus suis: et ego ad zelum provocabo eos in eo qui non…
cambridgeDeuteronomy 32:25: "The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs."
25 . War the climax to these natural plagues, just as in Amos 7.
The verse emphasizes a total devastation, not just by outward war but also by inner fear and chaos, affecting every single person—from the most innocent child to the oldest elder. This speaks to a complete societal breakdown where no one is spared, highlighting the comprehensive ruin that results from God's judgment.
This passage comes from Moses' final song to Israel, delivered just before they enter the Promised Land. He's recounting God's faithfulness and Israel's repeated rebellion, emphasizing that their prosperity has led to arrogance and turning away from God. The song warns of severe judgment, picturing a complete devastation that spares no one.
This passage comes from Moses' final song to Israel, delivered just before they enter the Promised Land. He's recounting God's faithfulness and Israel's repeated rebellion, emphasizing that their prosperity has led to arrogance and turning away from God. The song warns of severe judgment, picturing a complete devastation that spares no one.
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Ask a follow-up
Ask Sola things like:
Live chat about Deuteronomy 32:25 is available in the Sola app.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling its population and scattering them. This serves as a dire warning to Judah.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonian Empire conquers Judah, destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, and exiles much of the population. This is the context for much of the prophetic literature warning of severe judgment.
c. 1400 BC— this verse
Moses' Song of Warning
In his final address to Israel, Moses recounts God's faithfulness and Israel's repeated unfaithfulness, warning of severe judgment if they do not repent. Deuteronomy 32:25 is part of this powerful song.
"Outdoors the sword shall bereave, and indoors terror, for young man and woman alike, the nursing child with the man of gray hairs." — The verse emphasizes a total devastation, not just by outward war but also by inner fear and chaos, affecting every single person—from the most innocent child to the oldest elder. This speaks to a co…
