Deuteronomy 32:42
This page isn't yet indexed by search engines.
The "enemy" here isn't just any adversary; the text specifies "from the long-haired heads" (or "from the hairy heads," depending on translation), pointing to the most prominent leaders. This isn't just a general battle; it's a targeted judgment striking at the very top of the opposition.
I will make my arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh— with the blood of the slain and the captives, from the long-haired heads of the enemy.’
English Standard Version (ESV)
This passage comes at the end of Moses' Song, which recounts Israel's history and God's faithfulness despite their repeated unfaithfulness. Following dire warnings of judgment for their sin, this verse describes the ultimate, devastating vengeance God will enact upon His enemies, making it clear that His judgment will be complete and thorough. The song concludes not with this terrifying judgment, but with God's promised vindication and mercy towards His people.
The imagery here is intense: arrows drunk with blood, a sword devouring flesh. It sounds brutal, but is it a picture of God's uncontrolled rage, or something more deliberate?
This passage, set within the context of Moses' final song to Israel, isn't a random outburst of violence. It's the Lord speaking about the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness.
A Covenantal Response
God's actions here are a direct response to Israel's repeated betrayal. The song itself lists their 'corruptions,' 'ingratitude,' and 'obstinate contumacy.' When a covenant partner breaks the agreement, the covenant itself outlines consequences.
Deliberate and Decisive
The language of 'arrows' and 'sword' isn't hyperbole for chaos, but symbolic of God's chosen instruments of judgment. These aren't random acts; they are the 'arrows' and 'sword' that God 'spends' and wields. This highlights that God's judgments, while severe, are purposeful and aimed at addressing sin and unfaithfulness. As Calvin notes, God is 'spending his arrows' upon them, indicating a deliberate application of punishment.
The verse ends with a striking phrase: 'from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.' What does this tell us about the scope and purpose of God's judgment?
This phrase isn't just about the immediate battle; it points to the final, ultimate victory of God and the vindication of His people.
Ask a follow-up
A Comprehensive Judgment
'From the beginning of revenges' implies that God's judgment is not a single event but a process, and ultimately, a complete settlement. It suggests that every act of rebellion and every drop of blood shed unjustly by God's enemies will be accounted for.
God's Claim on Justice
The commentary highlights that God Himself claims vengeance as His own. This isn't about human lashing out in anger, but the sovereign Lord acting with perfect justice. He will 'render vengeance to His adversaries' and 'avenge the blood of His servants.' This assures us that God is not indifferent to the suffering of His people or the wicked actions of their enemies.
The End Goal: His People's Vindication
Ultimately, these judgments are not for destruction's sake but for vindication. As verse 43 joyfully exclaims, 'Rejoice, O ye nations, with his people; for he will avenge the blood of his servants.' This points to a future where God's justice is fully enacted, His people are cleared, and His enemies are dealt with completely.
Understand the original words
chets · Hebrew Noun
A projectile weapon used in biblical warfare, often symbolizing the swift and piercing nature of God's judgment or the word of the Lord.
dam · Hebrew Noun
The life force of a living being; in a sacrificial or judicial context, it represents the consequence of sin, the price of atonement, or the evidence of life taken in judgment.
This verse powerfully evokes the brutal reality of God's judgment against His enemies and His people's unfaithfulness. It speaks of a future, decisive vengeance, colored by the very real historical experiences of warfare, conquest, and exile that Israel faced throughout its history.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
Moses Delivers the Song of Deuteronomy
Moses delivers this song to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. It serves as a prophetic warning and testament.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan Begins
Under Joshua's leadership, the Israelites begin the military conquest of Canaan, a process that involves significant warfare and the shedding of blood.
c. 1366 BC - c. 1077 BC
Period of the Judges
Following the conquest, Israel experiences cycles of faithfulness and unfaithfulness, leading to periods of oppression by surrounding nations and subsequent wars of deliverance.
c. 1000 BC
United Monarchy under David
David establishes a strong monarchy, expanding Israelite territory and engaging in numerous military campaigns against enemies like the Philistines, Ammonites, and Arameans.
722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the northern kingdom of Israel, scattering its people and initiating a period of exile and devastation for many Israelites.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians conquer Judah, destroy Jerusalem and the Temple, and deport a large portion of the population into exile, marking a profound national catastrophe.
This passage describes God's judgment on the nations, using imagery of a drunken sword and abundant slaughter, paralleling the violent and final nature of God's vengeance depicted in Deuteronomy.
Jeremiah 46:10This verse speaks of God's judgment on Egypt, using similar imagery of a sword devouring flesh and a great slaughter, reinforcing the theme of divine retribution against enemies.
Ezekiel 9:6This vision of judgment begins 'at my sanctuary,' showing that judgment starts within God's own people for their unfaithfulness before extending to the enemies, a concept implied in the 'beginning of revenges upon the enemy' in Deuteronomy.
Revelation 19:17-18This apocalyptic vision describes a great supper where the flesh of kings, captains, and mighty men is to be eaten, echoing the graphic and total destruction implied by the 'sword shall devour flesh' 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…
barnesDeuteronomy 32:42: "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."
From the beginning of revenges upon the enemy - Render, (drunk with blood) from the head (i. e. the chief) of the princes of the enemy.
The "enemy" here isn't just any adversary; the text specifies "from the long-haired heads" (or "from the hairy heads," depending on translation), pointing to the most prominent leaders. This isn't just a general battle; it's a targeted judgment striking at the very top of the opposition.
This passage comes at the end of Moses' Song, which recounts Israel's history and God's faithfulness despite their repeated unfaithfulness. Following dire warnings of judgment for their sin, this verse describes the ultimate, devastating vengeance God will enact upon His enemies, making it clear that His judgment will be complete and thorough. The song concludes not with this terrifying judgment, but with God's promised vindication and mercy towards His people.
This passage comes at the end of Moses' Song, which recounts Israel's history and God's faithfulness despite their repeated unfaithfulness. Following dire warnings of judgment for their sin, this verse describes the ultimate, devastating vengeance God will enact upon His enemies, making it clear that His judgment will be complete and thorough. The song concludes not with this terrifying judgment, but with God's promised vindication and mercy towards His people.
"I will make my arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh— with the blood of the slain and the captives, from the long-haired heads of the enemy.’" — The "enemy" here isn't just any adversary; the text specifies "from the long-haired heads" (or "from the hairy heads," depending on translation), pointing to the most prominent leaders. This isn't ju…
Get the original Greek and Hebrew, verse-by-verse context, and related passages inside the app.
Last reviewed October 2026
