Deuteronomy 32:35-36
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This verse reveals God's ultimate control, even in moments of perceived human failure. The phrase "their foot shall slide in due time" isn't about an accidental stumble, but God's deliberate allowance for their downfall, setting the stage for His own righteous judgment. It highlights that even when things seem to fall apart on their own, it's all happening within God's ordained timeline.
Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’ For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on his servants, when he sees that their power is gone and there is none remaining, bond or free.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Moses has just delivered a powerful song to Israel, highlighting God's faithfulness and their persistent unfaithfulness, which has led to severe judgment. This verse comes as a concluding statement within this song, emphasizing that any suffering or downfall experienced by God's people, or indeed by any nation, ultimately falls under divine justice. It underscores that God's judgment is certain, though its timing and execution are His alone.
Ever felt wronged and longed to see justice done? This verse speaks directly to that desire, reminding us who truly holds the scales.
The verse emphatically states, "Vengeance is mine, and recompense." This isn't just a statement of fact; it's a divine declaration of ownership. Throughout the Old Testament, especially in passages like this song of Moses, God asserts His exclusive right to judge and punish. He is the ultimate authority, the perfect judge who sees all and knows all. This means we don't have to take matters into our own hands.
The passage warns of a "day of calamity" and "doom" that "comes swiftly." What does this urgency mean for us today?
The verse paints a vivid picture of impending judgment for those who reject God's ways: "their foot shall slide in due time; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly." This isn't about God being impatient, but about His perfect awareness of the appointed time for justice.
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Understand the original words
naqam · Hebrew Noun
A term referring to the righteous judgment and retribution of God. It signifies that God alone has the authority and the character to balance the scales of justice and punish evildoers according to His holy standard.
shillem · Hebrew Noun
The act of paying back or rewarding someone for their actions. Biblically, it refers to God's retributive justice where He responds to the deeds of the wicked with appropriate consequences.
ed · Hebrew Noun
A state of deep distress, disaster, or misfortune. In Scripture, it is often the direct result or manifestation of divine judgment against unrepentant individuals or nations.
YHWH · Hebrew Proper Noun
The personal, covenantal name of God revealed to Israel, signifying His self-existence, eternity, and faithfulness to His covenant promises.
din · Hebrew Verb
To act as judge to render justice, uphold the rights of, or execute vengeance on behalf of someone; it implies both defense and deliverance.
nacham · Hebrew Verb
Deep, visceral sympathy or mercy, often compared to the feeling of a parent for a child; it implies a movement of God’s heart that leads to action for His people.
This verse appears in Moses' final song to Israel, delivered just before his death and their entry into the Promised Land. The song recounts God's faithfulness and Israel's persistent unfaithfulness, warning of severe judgment. The historical context of these warnings is the ongoing cycle of disobedience and God's judgments, culminating in the exiles to Assyria and Babylon, which powerfully illustrate the consequences of turning away from God.
c. 1446 BC
Israel Exits Egypt
After 400 years of slavery, God miraculously leads the Israelites out of Egypt under Moses' leadership, initiating their journey to the Promised Land.
c. 1406 BC
Israel Enters the Promised Land
Following 40 years in the wilderness, Joshua leads the Israelites across the Jordan River to begin the conquest and settlement of Canaan.
c. 1375 BC
Period of the Judges Begins
A cycle of disobedience, oppression, and deliverance characterizes this era as Israel lacks centralized leadership and faces ongoing challenges.
c. 1000 BC
United Monarchy Established
Saul, David, and Solomon rule over a unified Israel, marking a period of relative peace and prosperity, but also growing spiritual decline.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divides
Following Solomon's reign, the united kingdom splits into two: the Northern Kingdom of Israel (10 tribes) and the Southern Kingdom of Judah (2 tribes).
722 BC
Fall of Samaria and Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling its population and marking the end of the ten tribes' distinct history.
586 BC— this verse
Fall of Jerusalem and Southern Kingdom
The Babylonian Empire destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, exiling the people of Judah, setting the stage for prophetic pronouncements of judgment and eventual restoration.
This passage directly quotes Deuteronomy 32:35, emphasizing that vengeance and recompense belong to God and urging believers not to take matters into their own hands.
Hebrews 10:30Echoing the sentiment of Deuteronomy 32:35, this verse also cites God as the one who will repay, serving as a solemn warning against rejecting God's grace.
Psalm 94:1This Psalm speaks of God as the God of vengeance, aligning with the theme in Deuteronomy 32:35 that divine retribution is a certainty.
Proverbs 25:21-22These verses echo the principle of divine recompense, suggesting that acts of kindness toward enemies can lead to them being saved, implying God's ultimate judgment and restoration.
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…
gillDeuteronomy 32:35: "To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste."
To me belongeth vengeance and recompense,.... Or, I will repay, or recompence, as it is quoted in Romans 12:19 ; and so all the three Targums, the Septuagint and Vulgate Latin versions, here, and so Jarchi interprets it. Vengeance belongs only to a divine Person, not to an Heathen deity called Dice, or…
This verse reveals God's ultimate control, even in moments of perceived human failure. The phrase "their foot shall slide in due time" isn't about an accidental stumble, but God's deliberate allowance for their downfall, setting the stage for His own righteous judgment. It highlights that even when things seem to fall apart on their own, it's all happening within God's ordained timeline.
Moses has just delivered a powerful song to Israel, highlighting God's faithfulness and their persistent unfaithfulness, which has led to severe judgment. This verse comes as a concluding statement within this song, emphasizing that any suffering or downfall experienced by God's people, or indeed by any nation, ultimately falls under divine justice. It underscores that God's judgment is certain, though its timing and execution are His alone.
Moses has just delivered a powerful song to Israel, highlighting God's faithfulness and their persistent unfaithfulness, which has led to severe judgment. This verse comes as a concluding statement within this song, emphasizing that any suffering or downfall experienced by God's people, or indeed by any nation, ultimately falls under divine justice. It underscores that God's judgment is certain, though its timing and execution are His alone.
"Vengeance is mine, and recompense, for the time when their foot shall slip; for the day of their calamity is at hand, and their doom comes swiftly.’ For the LORD will vindicate his people and have compassion on…" — This verse reveals God's ultimate control, even in moments of perceived human failure. The phrase "their foot shall slide in due time" isn't about an accidental stumble, but God's deliberate allowanc…
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Last reviewed October 2026
