What does Deuteronomy 32:25 mean?

"The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs." - Deuteronomy 32:25

Deuteronomy 32:25 - "The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs."

Deuteronomy 32:25 - "The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs."

Deuteronomy 32:25 (KJV) - "The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs."

This verse is part of a song that Moses sings to the Israelites, recounting the faithfulness of God and warning them of the consequences of turning away from Him. The verse is a vivid image of destruction and terror that will come upon the people if they forsake the Lord. It serves as a warning of the consequences of disobedience and a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God.

The themes of this verse are both the consequences of disobedience and the faithfulness of God. The image of "the sword without, and terror within" conveys the idea of external and internal threats facing the people of Israel. This reflects the reality that disobedience to God's commands can bring about both physical and spiritual destruction. The phrase "shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs" emphasizes the indiscriminate nature of the destruction that will come upon the people. It highlights the fact that no one will be spared from the consequences of disobedience.

The context of this verse is important for understanding its meaning. In the preceding verses, Moses reminds the Israelites of God's faithfulness and their own unfaithfulness. He warns them of the punishment that will come upon them if they turn away from the Lord and follow after false gods. The imagery of "the sword without, and terror within" serves as a graphic depiction of the judgment that will befall the people if they forsake God. The verse serves as a call to repentance and a plea for the people to remain faithful to the Lord.

Symbolism is also evident in this verse. The sword symbolizes the external threat facing the people, while "terror within" signifies internal turmoil and fear. This imagery conveys the sense of impending doom and the feeling of being surrounded by danger on all sides. The mention of "the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs" symbolizes the universal nature of the judgment that will come upon the people. It emphasizes the fact that no one will be exempt from the consequences of disobedience.

Overall, Deuteronomy 32:25 serves as a powerful warning of the consequences of turning away from God. It conveys the idea that disobedience will bring about destruction and terror, and that no one will be spared from the judgment. At the same time, it highlights the faithfulness of God in warning His people of the consequences of their actions and calling them to repentance. The verse stands as a timeless reminder of the importance of remaining faithful to God and the consequences of forsaking Him.

Deuteronomy 32:25 Artwork

Deuteronomy 32:25 - "The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs."

Deuteronomy 32:25 - "The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs."

Deuteronomy 32:32 - "For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter:"

Deuteronomy 32:32 - "For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter:"

Deuteronomy 32:33 - "Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps."

Deuteronomy 32:33 - "Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps."

Deuteronomy 32:28 - "For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them."

Deuteronomy 32:28 - "For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them."

Deuteronomy 32:48 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying,"

Deuteronomy 32:48 - "And the LORD spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying,"

Deuteronomy 32:37 - "And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted,"

Deuteronomy 32:37 - "And he shall say, Where are their gods, their rock in whom they trusted,"

Deuteronomy 32:9 - "For the LORD'S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance."

Deuteronomy 32:9 - "For the LORD'S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance."

Deuteronomy 1:32 - "Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God,"

Deuteronomy 1:32 - "Yet in this thing ye did not believe the LORD your God,"

Deuteronomy 32:45 - "And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel:"

Deuteronomy 32:45 - "And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel:"

Deuteronomy 32:29 - "O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!"

Deuteronomy 32:29 - "O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!"

Deuteronomy 32:31 - "For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges."

Deuteronomy 32:31 - "For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges."

Deuteronomy 32:12 - "So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him."

Deuteronomy 32:12 - "So the LORD alone did lead him, and there was no strange god with him."

Deuteronomy 32:34 - "Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?"

Deuteronomy 32:34 - "Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?"

Deuteronomy 32:16 - "They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger."

Deuteronomy 32:16 - "They provoked him to jealousy with strange gods, with abominations provoked they him to anger."

Deuteronomy 32:40 - "For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever."

Deuteronomy 32:40 - "For I lift up my hand to heaven, and say, I live for ever."

Deuteronomy 32:5 - "They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation."

Deuteronomy 32:5 - "They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation."

Deuteronomy 32:3 - "Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God."

Deuteronomy 32:3 - "Because I will publish the name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God."

Deuteronomy 2:32 - "Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to fight at Jahaz."

Deuteronomy 2:32 - "Then Sihon came out against us, he and all his people, to fight at Jahaz."

Deuteronomy 32:18 - "Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee."

Deuteronomy 32:18 - "Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee."

Deuteronomy 32:23 - "I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them."

Deuteronomy 32:23 - "I will heap mischiefs upon them; I will spend mine arrows upon them."

Deuteronomy 25:4 - "¶ Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn."

Deuteronomy 25:4 - "¶ Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn."

Deuteronomy 32:44 - "¶ And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun."

Deuteronomy 32:44 - "¶ And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun."

Deuteronomy 32:19 - "And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters."

Deuteronomy 32:19 - "And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters."

Deuteronomy 25:13 - "¶ Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small."

Deuteronomy 25:13 - "¶ Thou shalt not have in thy bag divers weights, a great and a small."

Leviticus 25:32 - "Notwithstanding the cities of the Levites, and the houses of the cities of their possession, may the Levites redeem at any time."

Leviticus 25:32 - "Notwithstanding the cities of the Levites, and the houses of the cities of their possession, may the Levites redeem at any time."

Deuteronomy 31:25 - "That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,"

Deuteronomy 31:25 - "That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,"

Deuteronomy 25:14 - "Thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures, a great and a small."

Deuteronomy 25:14 - "Thou shalt not have in thine house divers measures, a great and a small."

Deuteronomy 32:1 - "Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth."

Deuteronomy 32:1 - "Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth."

Deuteronomy 11:32 - "And ye shall observe to do all the statutes and judgments which I set before you this day."

Deuteronomy 11:32 - "And ye shall observe to do all the statutes and judgments which I set before you this day."

Deuteronomy 25:10 - "And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed."

Deuteronomy 25:10 - "And his name shall be called in Israel, The house of him that hath his shoe loosed."