King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 29:19 Mean?

Deuteronomy 29:19 in the King James Version says “And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have p... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: imagination: or, stubbornness drunkenness: Heb. the drunken to the thirsty

Deuteronomy 29:19 · KJV


Context

17

And ye have seen their abominations, and their idols, wood and stone, silver and gold, which were among them:) idols: Heb. dungy gods

18

Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; gall: or, a poisonous herb: Heb. rosh

19

And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst: imagination: or, stubbornness drunkenness: Heb. the drunken to the thirsty

20

The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

21

And the LORD shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law: are: Heb. is


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
When he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart (וְהִתְבָּרֵךְ בִּלְבָבוֹ)—The reflexive verb hitbarekh ("bless himself") describes self-deception, pronouncing personal absolution despite covenant violation. The presumptuous apostate hears the 'alah ("curse," oath-stipulations) yet claims shalom ("peace," well-being) while walking in sherirut lev ("imagination/stubbornness of heart").

This phrase sherirut lev appears frequently in Jeremiah (3:17, 7:24, 9:14, 11:8, 13:10, 16:12, 18:12, 23:17) to characterize rebellious self-will—following one's own counsel rather than God's word. It denotes hardened autonomy, the opposite of circumcised heart obedience (Deuteronomy 10:16, 30:6).

To add drunkenness to thirst (לְמַעַן סְפוֹת הָרָוָה אֶת־הַצְּמֵאָה)—This cryptic idiom likely means "to sweep away the watered with the dry" or "to add the drunk to the thirsty," suggesting total destruction without distinction. Some interpret it as the apostate's insatiable pursuit of sin (drinking excessively when already drunk), others as corporate judgment where the guilty destroy the innocent. Either way, presumption brings comprehensive ruin.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This warning targets covenant presumption—assuming Yahweh's protection while violating covenant terms. Ancient Israel could fall into ethnic presumption ("We're Abraham's descendants") or cultic presumption ("We offer sacrifices"). John the Baptist and Jesus confronted this mentality (Matthew 3:9, John 8:39). The phenomenon appears throughout redemptive history: Eli's sons presumed on priesthood (1 Samuel 2-4), Judah trusted the temple's presence (Jeremiah 7:4), false teachers presumed on grace (Jude 4).

Reflection Questions

  1. In what ways might Christians today presume on grace while walking in deliberate sin (Romans 6:1-2)?
  2. How does self-blessing (self-justification) differ from genuine assurance grounded in Christ's righteousness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וְהָיָ֡ה1 of 21
H1961

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

בְּשָׁמְעוֹ֩2 of 21

And it come to pass when he heareth

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶת3 of 21
H853

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

דִּבְרֵ֨י4 of 21

the words

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הָֽאָלָ֜ה5 of 21

of this curse

H423

an imprecation

הַזֹּ֗את6 of 21
H2063

this (often used adverb)

וְהִתְבָּרֵ֨ךְ7 of 21

that he bless

H1288

to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as

בִּלְבָב֤וֹ8 of 21

himself in his heart

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

לֵאמֹר֙9 of 21

saying

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

שָׁל֣וֹם10 of 21

I shall have peace

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

יִֽהְיֶה11 of 21
H1961

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

לִּ֔י12 of 21
H0
כִּ֛י13 of 21

though

H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

בִּשְׁרִר֥וּת14 of 21

in the imagination

H8307

obstinacy

לִבִּ֖י15 of 21

of mine heart

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

אֵלֵ֑ךְ16 of 21
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

לְמַ֛עַן17 of 21
H4616

properly, heed, i.e., purpose; used only adverbially, on account of (as a motive or an aim), teleologically, in order that

סְפ֥וֹת18 of 21

to add

H5595

properly, to scrape (literally, to shave; but usually figuratively) together (i.e., to accumulate or increase) or away (i.e., to scatter, remove, or r

הָֽרָוָ֖ה19 of 21

drunkenness

H7302

sated (with drink)

אֶת20 of 21
H853

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

הַצְּמֵאָֽה׃21 of 21

to thirst

H6771

thirsty (literally or figuratively)


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 29:19 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 29:19 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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