King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 29:21 Mean?

Deuteronomy 29:21 in the King James Version says “And the LORD shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant t...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Deuteronomy 29:21 · KJV

Context

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

22

So that the generation to come of your children that shall rise up after you, and the stranger that shall come from a far land, shall say, when they see the plagues of that land, and the sicknesses which the LORD hath laid upon it; which: Heb. wherewith the LORD hath made it sick

23

And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant (וְהִבְדִּילוֹ יְהוָה לְרָעָה)—The verb hivdil ("separate") typically describes holy separation unto God (Leviticus 20:26, "I have separated you from the peoples"). Here it's perverted—separation le-ra'ah ("unto evil/calamity") rather than unto blessing. The apostate experiences anti-election, marked out for judgment rather than redemption.

According to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law (כְּכֹל אָלוֹת הַבְּרִית הַכְּתוּבָה בְּסֵפֶר הַתּוֹרָה)—The phrase emphasizes comprehensiveness (ke-khol, "according to all") and documentary authority (ha-ketuvah, "the written"). These aren't arbitrary punishments but covenant stipulations agreed upon. The sefer ha-torah ("book of the law") serves as legal evidence—a written treaty document both parties acknowledged (Deuteronomy 31:26).

This judicial separation recalls Korah's rebellion (Numbers 16), where God literally separated rebels from the congregation before earth swallowed them. It foreshadows Israel's exile—the northern kingdom's ten tribes "separated unto evil" through Assyrian conquest (722 BCE), Judah through Babylonian exile (586 BCE). Matthew 25:32-33 uses similar separation language for final judgment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Near Eastern treaties often specified separation or exile as covenant violation consequences. Vassal kings who rebelled faced deportation, their territories absorbed by the suzerain. Israel's later exile represents this curse's fulfillment—physical removal from covenant land. The phrase "book of the law" indicates Deuteronomy's written status by Moses' time. Ancient treaty documents were deposited in temples under divine witness; Israel's covenant was placed beside the ark (Deuteronomy 31:26).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does judicial separation unto evil inform our understanding of reprobation in Reformed theology?
  2. In what sense did Israel's exile represent this curse's historical fulfillment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְהִבְדִּיל֤וֹ1 of 13

“shall separate”

H914

to divide (in variation senses literally or figuratively, separate, distinguish, differ, select, etc.)

יְהוָה֙2 of 13

“And the LORD”

H3068

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

לְרָעָ֔ה3 of 13

“him unto evil”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

מִכֹּ֖ל4 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

שִׁבְטֵ֣י5 of 13

“out of all the tribes”

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

יִשְׂרָאֵ֑ל6 of 13

“of Israel”

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

כְּכֹל֙7 of 13
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

אָל֣וֹת8 of 13

“according to all the curses”

H423

an imprecation

הַבְּרִ֔ית9 of 13

“of the covenant”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

הַכְּתוּבָ֕ה10 of 13

“that are written”

H3789

to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)

בְּסֵ֥פֶר11 of 13

“in this book”

H5612

properly, writing (the art or a document); by implication, a book

הַתּוֹרָ֖ה12 of 13

“of the law”

H8451

a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch

הַזֶּֽה׃13 of 13
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

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 29:21 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 29:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Matthew 25:46Malachi 3:18Joshua 7:1-26Ezekiel 13:9Matthew 25:32Matthew 25:41

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Deuteronomy 29 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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