Deuteronomy 32:25
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The devastation described is absolute, encompassing "young man and woman alike, the nursing child with the man of gray hairs." This isn't just about battle; it emphasizes the completeness of the destruction, where terror inside the home is as deadly as the sword outside, leaving no age or gender spared.
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 passage is part of Moses' final song to Israel, a powerful poetic recounting of their history and God’s covenant. Following a stark warning against their future unfaithfulness and the devastating consequences that will follow, Moses now describes the totality of the judgment that will come upon them. This description of utter destruction will be further amplified by God’s own recounting of His judgment, leading into promises of eventual restoration.
When God's judgment falls, it's not selective. It sweeps through every corner of life, sparing no one, regardless of age or status.
Deuteronomy 32:25 paints a grim picture of total devastation. The prophet Moses declares that both 'the sword without, and terror within' will bring ruin.
No Sanctuary
The sword represents outward conflict—warfare, invasion, and the violence that spills into the streets. 'Terror within' signifies the fear and panic that grips the heart of homes and families.
Universal Calamity
This judgment isn't reserved for a select few. The verse explicitly states it affects 'both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also, with the man of gray hairs.' This comprehensive destruction highlights the completeness of God's judgment when His people turn away from Him.
When God warns of judgment, it's not a bluff. The consequences are severe, comprehensive, and designed to reveal the true cost of turning away from Him.
This verse is not a random act of violence; it's a direct consequence of Israel's rebellion against God. The preceding verses in Deuteronomy 32 describe God's faithfulness and Israel's unfaithfulness.
God's Righteous Anger
Commentators like Calvin note that God's anger is kindled because Israel has provoked Him with 'vanities'—idols and false gods. This verse describes the judgment that follows such a profound betrayal.
Ask a follow-up
The Finality of Judgment
The stark imagery of the sword and terror signifies that there is no negotiation, no easy escape, when God’s judgment is enacted. It underscores the gravity of choosing other gods over the one true God, as Paul later writes about the Gentiles being 'futile in their thoughts' and their 'foolish hearts darkened' (Romans 1:21).
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 passage vividly describes the total devastation and societal collapse that will result from prolonged disobedience to God's covenant. It's not just about losing battles, but about the complete breakdown of order and safety, where every person—from the most vulnerable infant to the most venerable elder—faces destruction from both external enemies and internal terror.
c. 1446 BC
Giving of the Law at Sinai
God gives the Ten Commandments and establishes the covenant with Israel, setting the stage for their obedience and future faithfulness.
c. 1406 BC
Israel Enters the Promised Land
After 40 years in the wilderness, Joshua leads Israel to conquer and settle in the land of Canaan, fulfilling God's promises.
c. 1000 BC
United Monarchy Flourishes
Under Kings David and Solomon, Israel reaches a peak of national power and prosperity, yet seeds of future division are sown.
931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's reign, the united kingdom splits into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
722 BC
Fall of Samaria (Northern Kingdom)
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling its people and scattering them, serving as a stark warning to Judah.
586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and Temple
The Babylonian Empire under Nebuchadnezzar destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the remaining Judeans. This is a direct consequence of generations of unfaithfulness described in Deuteronomy.
539 BC
Cyrus's Edict and Return from Exile
The Persian Empire conquers Babylon, and Cyrus allows the Jewish exiles to return to Jerusalem and rebuild the Temple.
This passage echoes the comprehensive destruction described in Deuteronomy, where sword, famine, and pestilence are unleashed upon a people who have turned away from God, highlighting the totality of divine judgment.
Ezekiel 5:12The prophetic imagery of a third part of the people perishing by pestilence, a third by famine, and a third by the sword directly parallels the complete devastation threatened in Deuteronomy, showing the widespread impact of God's wrath.
Lamentations 2:10-11This passage vividly describes a similar scene of devastation within the city walls, with elders mourning and children perishing, emphasizing the pervasive terror and loss that accompanies God's judgment.
Isaiah 24:1-3This prophecy foretells a global devastation where the earth is laid waste and its inhabitants are scattered or destroyed, mirroring the utter ruin promised in Deuteronomy and showing that such judgment can affect entire nations.
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 devastation described is absolute, encompassing "young man and woman alike, the nursing child with the man of gray hairs." This isn't just about battle; it emphasizes the completeness of the destruction, where terror inside the home is as deadly as the sword outside, leaving no age or gender spared.
This passage is part of Moses' final song to Israel, a powerful poetic recounting of their history and God’s covenant. Following a stark warning against their future unfaithfulness and the devastating consequences that will follow, Moses now describes the totality of the judgment that will come upon them. This description of utter destruction will be further amplified by God’s own recounting of His judgment, leading into promises of eventual restoration.
This passage is part of Moses' final song to Israel, a powerful poetic recounting of their history and God’s covenant. Following a stark warning against their future unfaithfulness and the devastating consequences that will follow, Moses now describes the totality of the judgment that will come upon them. This description of utter destruction will be further amplified by God’s own recounting of His judgment, leading into promises of eventual restoration.
"Outdoors the sword shall bereave, and indoors terror, for young man and woman alike, the nursing child with the man of gray hairs." — The devastation described is absolute, encompassing "young man and woman alike, the nursing child with the man of gray hairs." This isn't just about battle; it emphasizes the completeness of the dest…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
