Deuteronomy 32:42

Translations

Modern

I will make My arrows drunk with blood, while My sword devours flesh—the blood of the slain and captives, the heads of the enemy leaders.”

Traditional

I will make mine arrows drunk with blood, and my sword shall devour flesh; and that with the blood of the slain and of the captives, from the beginning of revenges upon the enemy.

Literal

I will make drunk My arrows with blood, and My sword shall devour flesh, with the blood of the slain and captives, from the heads of the leaders of the enemy.”

Latin

Inebriabo sagittas meas sanguine, et gladius meus devorabit carnes; de cruore occisorum et de captivitate, nudati inimicorum capitis.

Original

Hebrew

English

I will make My arrows drunk with blood, while My sword devours flesh—the blood of the slain and captives, the heads of the enemy leaders.”

Notes

Deuteronomy 32:42

The phrase arrows drunk with blood uses figurative language. It gives human qualities to arrows, as if they could drink. It also uses exaggeration to show how great the destruction will be.

This picture shows how severe God’s judgment on the nations will be. The language is strong to help the listener understand the seriousness of the coming punishment.

Deuteronomy 31:30–32:47

In ancient times, vows from both parties secured a treaty between individuals or nations. Israel's promise was in a song of witness that Moses composed under divine inspiration (31:19–22).

Israel probably sang the song during a regular covenant-renewal ceremony (31:21). They invoked upon themselves the covenant's judgments and reminded themselves of its promises.

Theme notes and profiles

Moses Ancient Law Codes God’s Instructions Music in Ancient Israel

Related verses

Deuteronomy 32:23
I will heap disasters upon them; I will spend My arrows against them.
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All your lovers have forgotten you; they no longer seek you, for I have struck you as an enemy would, with the discipline of someone cruel, because of your great iniquity and your numerous sins.
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Your arrows pierce the hearts of the king’s foes; the nations fall beneath your feet.
Psalm 68:23
…that your foot may be dipped in the blood of your foes—the tongues of your dogs in the same.”
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Why do You hide Your face and consider me as Your enemy?
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When you tell these people all these things, they will ask you, ‘Why has the LORD pronounced all this great disaster against us? What is our iniquity? What is the sin that we have committed against the LORD our God?’
Ezekiel 35:6–8
…therefore as surely as I live, declares the Lord GOD, I will give you over to bloodshed and it will pursue you. Since you did not hate bloodshed, it will pursue you.
Jeremiah 46:14
“Announce it in Egypt, and proclaim it in Migdol; proclaim it in Memphis and Tahpanhes: ‘Take your positions and prepare yourself, for the sword devours those around you.’
Isaiah 34:6–8
The sword of the LORD is bathed in blood. It drips with fat—with the blood of lambs and goats, with the fat of the kidneys of rams. For the LORD has a sacrifice in Bozrah, a great slaughter in the land of Edom.

Deuteronomy 32:42

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