King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 29:25 Mean?

Deuteronomy 29:25 in the King James Version says “Then men shall say, Because they have forsaken the covenant of the LORD God of their fathers, which he made with them wh...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 29 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Deuteronomy 29:25 · KJV

Context

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:

26

For they went and served other gods, and worshipped them, gods whom they knew not, and whom he had not given unto them: whom he: or, who had not given to them any portion given: Heb. divided

27

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book:

Read Deuteronomy 29 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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 (עַל אֲשֶׁר עָזְבוּ אֶת־בְּרִית יְהוָה)—The answer to v. 24's question begins with al asher azvu ("because they forsook"). The verb azav means to abandon, leave, forsake—covenant desertion, not minor infraction. They broke the berit YHWH Elohei avotam ("covenant of the LORD God of their fathers").

The relative clause asher karat lahem ("which he cut with them") uses covenant-making terminology—karat berit (literally "cut covenant") references animal-cutting ceremonies symbolizing covenant obligations (Genesis 15:17-18, Jeremiah 34:18-19). The temporal marker be-hotzi'o otam me-eretz Mitzrayim ("when bringing them out from the land of Egypt") grounds covenant identity in exodus redemption.

This analysis emphasizes covenant's foundational importance. Israel isn't judged for being generically sinful nations but for covenant violation—breaking sworn commitments to their redeemer. The exodus reference recalls covenant grace: Yahweh initiated relationship by redemptive deliverance, not because Israel merited favor. Covenant breaking thus represents supreme ingratitude—spurning the God who saved them.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Mosaic covenant was established at Sinai (Exodus 19-24) shortly after exodus liberation. Deuteronomy 29 occurs forty years later, renewing that covenant with the second generation. The answer given in v. 25 reflects what prophets like Jeremiah repeatedly explained during and after exile: judgment traced to covenant abandonment, particularly idolatry and social injustice. The nations' theological verdict (vv. 24-28) mirrors Israel's prophets—covenant theology wasn't obscure but publicly evident through judgment's explanatory power.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does covenant theology explain suffering better than moralistic cause-effect thinking?
  2. What parallels exist between Israel forsaking the old covenant and Christians forsaking the new covenant (Hebrews 10:29)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְאָ֣מְר֔וּ1 of 16

“Then men shall say”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

עַ֚ל2 of 16
H5921

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר3 of 16
H834

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

עָֽזְב֔וּ4 of 16

“Because they have forsaken”

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

אֶת5 of 16
H853

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

בְּרִ֥ית6 of 16

“the covenant”

H1285

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

יְהוָ֖ה7 of 16

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֵ֣י8 of 16

“God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

אֲבֹתָ֑ם9 of 16

“of their fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

אֲשֶׁר֙10 of 16
H834

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

כָּרַ֣ת11 of 16

“which he made”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

עִמָּ֔ם12 of 16
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

בְּהֽוֹצִיא֥וֹ13 of 16

“with them when he brought them forth”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֹתָ֖ם14 of 16
H853

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

מֵאֶ֥רֶץ15 of 16

“out of the land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מִצְרָֽיִם׃16 of 16

“of Egypt”

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

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 29:25 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 29:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Hebrews 8:9Jeremiah 40:2-31 Kings 19:10-14Isaiah 24:1-6Jeremiah 22:9Jeremiah 31:32

Places in This Verse

EgyptRegion · Modern: Ain Shams · 30.13°N, 31.31°E658 verses across 33 books
View all places in Deuteronomy 29 →

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