King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 11:17 Mean?

Deuteronomy 11:17 in the King James Version says “And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yi... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.

Deuteronomy 11:17 · KJV


Context

15

And I will send grass in thy fields for thy cattle, that thou mayest eat and be full. send: Heb. give

16

Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods, and worship them;

17

And then the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.

18

Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they may be as frontlets between your eyes.

19

And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The consequence of apostasy: 'the LORD'S wrath be kindled against you' uses the Hebrew charah aph (חָרָה אַף, literally 'burn nose/anger'), vivid imagery for divine fury. The judgment is environmental: 'he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain.' The Hebrew atsar (עָצַר, 'restrain, close') indicates deliberate divine action withholding blessing. The result: agricultural catastrophe—'the land yield not her fruit'—leading to death: 'ye perish quickly from off the good land.' Covenant curses (Deuteronomy 28:23-24) would be enforced. This establishes the prophetic pattern: apostasy → drought → famine → death/exile.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This judgment materialized repeatedly in Israel's history. Elijah's drought (1 Kings 17-18) punished Ahab's Baalism. Jeremiah warned Judah of coming judgment through drought and exile (Jeremiah 14). The seventy-year exile fulfilled covenant curses. Post-exilic Haggai explained poor harvests as divine discipline (Haggai 1:9-11). Weather became theological barometer of covenant status.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage challenge modern assumptions that natural disasters are religiously neutral events?
  2. What does God's jealousy (willingness to judge apostasy severely) reveal about His love and holiness?
  3. How should Christians understand divine discipline and consequences in the New Covenant age?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְחָרָ֨ה1 of 24

be kindled

H2734

to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

אַף2 of 24

wrath

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

יְהוָ֖ה3 of 24

And then the LORD'S

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

בָּכֶ֗ם4 of 24
H0
וְעָצַ֤ר5 of 24

against you and he shut up

H6113

to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble

אֶת6 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַשָּׁמַ֙יִם֙7 of 24

the heaven

H8064

the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r

וְלֹֽא8 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יִהְיֶ֣ה9 of 24
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

מָטָ֔ר10 of 24

that there be no rain

H4306

rain

וְהָ֣אֲדָמָ֔ה11 of 24

and that the land

H127

soil (from its general redness)

לֹ֥א12 of 24
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

נֹתֵ֥ן13 of 24

giveth

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אֶת14 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יְבוּלָ֑הּ15 of 24

not her fruit

H2981

produce, i.e., a crop or (figuratively) wealth

וַֽאֲבַדְתֶּ֣ם16 of 24

and lest ye perish

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

מְהֵרָ֗ה17 of 24

quickly

H4120

properly, a hurry; hence (adverbially) promptly

מֵעַל֙18 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

הָאָ֣רֶץ19 of 24

land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַטֹּבָ֔ה20 of 24

from off the good

H2896

good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good

אֲשֶׁ֥ר21 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יְהוָ֖ה22 of 24

And then the LORD'S

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

נֹתֵ֥ן23 of 24

giveth

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לָכֶֽם׃24 of 24
H0

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 11:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 11:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study