King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 29:23 Mean?

Deuteronomy 29:23 in the King James Version says “And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass gro...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Deuteronomy 29:23 · KJV

Context

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:

24

Even all nations shall say, Wherefore hath the LORD done thus unto this land? what meaneth the heat of this great anger?

25

Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them when he brought them forth out of the land of Egypt:

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein (גָּפְרִית וָמֶלַח שְׂרֵפָה כָל־אַרְצָהּ)—The triad gofrit ("brimstone/sulfur"), melach ("salt"), and serefah ("burning") describes complete ecological collapse. Salt symbolizes permanent desolation—Abimelech sowed Shechem with salt after destroying it (Judges 9:45), rendering land agriculturally sterile. Sulfur and burning suggest volcanic devastation or scorched earth warfare.

The threefold negation intensifies the curse: lo tizara' ("not sown"), lo tatzmiyach ("not sprouting"), lo ya'aleh vah kol esev ("no grass grows in it"). Total agricultural failure reverses Eden's fertility and Canaan's promised abundance ("flowing with milk and honey"). The land vomits out covenant breakers (Leviticus 18:25, 28).

Like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger (כְּמַהְפֵּכַת סְדֹם)—Mahpekhah ("overthrow") references Genesis 19's cataclysm. Moses adds Admah and Zeboim (Genesis 10:19, Hosea 11:8) to the infamous pair, emphasizing comprehensive destruction. The comparison warns: covenant apostasy merits Sodom-level judgment. Isaiah (1:9-10), Jeremiah (23:14, 49:18, 50:40), Amos (4:11), and Zephaniah (2:9) repeatedly invoke this comparison.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Sodom's destruction occurred in Abraham's era (circa 2000-1900 BCE), probably in the southern Dead Sea region. Ancient sources describe the area's sulfurous geology and salt deposits. Israel's covenant curses employ familiar historical reference points—Egypt (oppression), Sodom (judgment)—to make abstract warnings concrete. The Dead Sea area's perpetual barrenness served as ongoing visual reminder of divine judgment. When Babylon devastated Judah in 586 BCE, parts of the land experienced severe depopulation and agricultural collapse for decades, though not permanent Sodom-level devastation.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does ecological judgment reflect creation's curse when humanity rebels (Romans 8:20-22)?
  2. What does the Sodom comparison teach about degrees of divine judgment for covenant privilege?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
גָּפְרִ֣ית1 of 24

“thereof is brimstone”

H1614

properly, cypress-resin; by analogy, sulphur (as equally inflammable)

וָמֶלַח֮2 of 24

“and salt”

H4417

properly, powder, i.e., (specifically) salt (as easily pulverized and dissolved)

שְׂרֵפָ֣ה3 of 24

“and burning”

H8316

cremation

כָל4 of 24
H3605

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

אַרְצָהּ֒5 of 24

“And that the whole land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

לֹ֤א6 of 24
H3808

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

תִזָּרַע֙7 of 24

“that it is not sown”

H2232

to sow; figuratively, to disseminate, plant, fructify

וְלֹ֣א8 of 24
H3808

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

תַצְמִ֔חַ9 of 24

“nor beareth”

H6779

to sprout (transitive or intransitive, literal or figurative)

וְלֹֽא10 of 24
H3808

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

יַעֲלֶ֥ה11 of 24

“groweth”

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

בָ֖הּ12 of 24
H0
כָּל13 of 24
H3605

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

עֵ֑שֶׂב14 of 24

“nor any grass”

H6212

grass (or any tender shoot)

כְּֽמַהְפֵּכַ֞ת15 of 24

“therein like the overthrow”

H4114

a destruction

סְדֹ֤ם16 of 24

“of Sodom”

H5467

sedom, a place near the dead sea

וַֽעֲמֹרָה֙17 of 24

“and Gomorrah”

H6017

amorah, a place in palestine

אַדְמָ֣ה18 of 24

“Admah”

H126

admah, a place near the dead sea

וּצְבֹיִ֔ים19 of 24

“and Zeboim”

H6636

tseboim or tsebijim, a place in palestine

אֲשֶׁר֙20 of 24
H834

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

הָפַ֣ךְ21 of 24

“overthrew”

H2015

to turn about or over; by implication, to change, overturn, return, pervert

יְהוָ֔ה22 of 24

“which the LORD”

H3068

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

בְּאַפּ֖וֹ23 of 24

“in his anger”

H639

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

וּבַֽחֲמָתֽוֹ׃24 of 24

“and in his wrath”

H2534

heat; figuratively, anger, poison (from its fever)

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 29:23 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 29:23 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 17:6Zephaniah 2:9Genesis 19:24-25Isaiah 34:9Genesis 14:2Jeremiah 20:16

Places in This Verse

AdmahSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E5 verses across 3 books
GomorrahSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E24 verses across 11 books
SodomSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E50 verses across 15 books
ZeboiimSettlement · Modern: south of the Lisan · 31.21°N, 35.45°E5 verses across 3 books
View all places in Deuteronomy 29 →

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