King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 32:24 Mean?

Deuteronomy 32:24 in the King James Version says “They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust. heat: Heb. coals”

Deuteronomy 32:24 · KJV

Context

22

For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. shall burn: or, hath burned shall consume: or, hath consumed

23

I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them.

24

They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust. heat: Heb. coals

25

The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs. within: Heb. from the chambers destroy: Heb. bereave

26

I said, I would scatter them into corners, I would make the remembrance of them to cease from among men:

Read Deuteronomy 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction—Moses catalogs covenant curses that will befall apostate Israel. The Hebrew mezei ra'av (מְזֵי רָעָב, 'burnt with hunger') describes famine's wasting effects, while lechumei reshef (לְחֻמֵי רֶשֶׁף, 'devoured with burning heat') may refer to plague, fever, or devastating pestilence. Qetev meriri (קֶטֶב מְרִירִי, 'bitter destruction') uses a term suggesting poisonous ruin, complete devastation.

The second half intensifies: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust. The phrase shen behemot (שֶׁן־בְּהֵמוֹת, 'teeth of beasts') represents wild animals attacking humanity—creation turning against covenant-breakers. Chamat zochalei afar (חֲמַת זֹחֲלֵי עָפָר, 'poison of serpents of the dust') evokes the serpent's curse in Eden (Genesis 3:14), where rebellion brought death into the world. These covenant curses reverse creation blessing—instead of subduing the earth, rebellious Israel suffers nature's assault. The imagery fulfills during Babylonian exile (Lamentations 5:9-10; Ezekiel 14:21) and warns all generations that breaking covenant with the Creator brings cosmic disorder.

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Historical & Cultural Context

The Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32:1-43) was composed circa 1406 BC as prophetic witness against future apostasy. God commanded Moses to write this song (31:19) knowing Israel would forsake Him after entering Canaan. These specific judgments—famine, plague, wild beasts, venomous serpents—mirror covenant curses in Leviticus 26:16-26 and recur throughout Israel's history. The 722 BC Assyrian conquest of northern Israel and 586 BC Babylonian destruction of Judah demonstrated these curses' literal fulfillment. Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Lamentations all reference these very judgments—hunger, plague, sword, and wild animals—as divine discipline for covenant unfaithfulness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How do covenant curses reveal that sin has cosmic consequences, disrupting all creation's order?
  2. What does God's use of natural calamities (famine, beasts, serpents) teach about His sovereignty over creation?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
מְזֵ֥י1 of 14

“They shall be burnt”

H4198

exhausted

רָעָ֛ב2 of 14

“with hunger”

H7458

hunger (more or less extensive)

וּלְחֻ֥מֵי3 of 14

“and devoured”

H3898

to feed on; figuratively, to consume

רֶ֖שֶׁף4 of 14

“with burning heat”

H7565

a live coal; by analogy lightning; figuratively, an arrow, (as flashing through the air); specifically, fever

וְקֶ֣טֶב5 of 14

“destruction”

H6986

ruin

מְרִירִ֑י6 of 14

“and with bitter”

H4815

bitter, i.e., poisonous

וְשֶׁן7 of 14

“the teeth”

H8127

a tooth (as sharp); specifically ivory; figuratively, a cliff

בְּהֵמֹת֙8 of 14

“of beasts”

H929

properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)

אֲשַׁלַּח9 of 14

“I will also send”

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

בָּ֔ם10 of 14
H0
עִם11 of 14
H5973

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

חֲמַ֖ת12 of 14

“upon them with the poison”

H2534

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

זֹֽחֲלֵ֥י13 of 14

“of serpents”

H2119

by implication, to fear

עָפָֽר׃14 of 14

“of the dust”

H6083

dust (as powdered or gray); hence, clay, earth, mud

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 32:24 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 32:24 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 26:22Ezekiel 5:17Deuteronomy 28:53Genesis 3:14Amos 5:18-19Genesis 49:15

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Deuteronomy 32 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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