King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 32:25 Mean?

Deuteronomy 32:25 in the King James Version says “The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Deuteronomy 32:25 · KJV

Context

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:

27

Were it not that I feared the wrath of the enemy, lest their adversaries should behave themselves strangely, and lest they should say, Our hand is high, and the LORD hath not done all this. Our: or, Our high hand, and not the LORD hath done

Read Deuteronomy 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs—Moses depicts total, indiscriminate judgment spanning all ages and conditions. The Hebrew mi-chutz techakel-cherev (מִחוּץ תְּשַׁכֶּל־חֶרֶב, 'from outside the sword bereaves') describes external military invasion, while u-me-chadarim eimah (וּמֵחֲדָרִים אֵימָה, 'and from inner chambers terror') represents internal collapse—fear, paranoia, civil strife, and psychological breakdown within besieged cities.

The comprehensive scope—bachur gam-betulah (בָּחוּר גַּם־בְּתוּלָה, 'young man also virgin'), yoneq im-ish seivah (יוֹנֵק עִם־אִישׁ שֵׂיבָה, 'suckling with man of gray hair')—emphasizes that covenant curses spare no demographic. Warriors and brides, infants and elderly, all perish when God removes His protective hedge. This reversed God's creation mandate to 'be fruitful and multiply'—instead of life and increase, apostasy brings comprehensive death. The dual assault (external sword, internal terror) fulfills in Jerusalem's sieges by Babylon (586 BC, 2 Kings 25; Jeremiah 52) and Rome (AD 70). Lamentations 1:20 echoes precisely: 'abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is as death.'

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Historical & Cultural Context

Moses prophesied this judgment circa 1406 BC, centuries before its fulfillment. The 'sword without' refers to foreign invasion—Assyria, Babylon, and ultimately Rome. The 'terror within' describes siege conditions where starvation, disease, and despair ravaged populations. During Babylon's siege of Jerusalem (588-586 BC), cannibalism occurred (Lamentations 2:20; 4:10), fulfilling Moses' curse. Jesus wept over Jerusalem (Luke 19:41-44) knowing Rome would bring this very judgment in AD 70, when Titus destroyed the city, killing an estimated 1.1 million Jews. The comprehensive destruction—young and old, male and female—characterizes divine judgment's thoroughness when covenant protection is removed.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the indiscriminate nature of judgment (young and old) emphasize the seriousness of corporate covenant unfaithfulness?
  2. What does the dual threat (external sword, internal terror) reveal about how sin destroys from both outside and within?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
מִחוּץ֙1 of 13

“without”

H2351

properly, separate by a wall, i.e., outside, outdoors

תְּשַׁכֶּל2 of 13

“shall destroy”

H7921

properly, to miscarry, i.e., suffer abortion; by analogy, to bereave (literally or figuratively)

חֶ֔רֶב3 of 13

“The sword”

H2719

drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement

וּמֵֽחֲדָרִ֖ים4 of 13

“within”

H2315

an apartment (usually literal)

אֵימָ֑ה5 of 13

“and terror”

H367

fright; concrete, an idol (as a bugbear)

גַּם6 of 13
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

בָּחוּר֙7 of 13

“both the young man”

H970

properly, selected, i.e., a youth (often collective)

גַּם8 of 13
H1571

properly, assemblage; used only adverbially also, even, yea, though; often repeated as correl. both...and

בְּתוּלָ֔ה9 of 13

“and the virgin”

H1330

a virgin (from her privacy); sometimes (by continuation) a bride; also (figuratively) a city or state

יוֹנֵ֖ק10 of 13

“the suckling”

H3243

to suck; causatively, to give milk

עִם11 of 13
H5973

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

אִ֥ישׁ12 of 13

“also with the man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

שֵׂיבָֽה׃13 of 13

“of gray hairs”

H7872

old age

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 32:25 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 32:25 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Ezekiel 7:15Lamentations 1:20Lamentations 4:4Isaiah 30:162 Corinthians 7:5Jeremiah 9:21

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