What does Deuteronomy 32:35 mean?

"To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste." - Deuteronomy 32:35

"To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste." - Deuteronomy 32:35

Deuteronomy 32:35 in the King James Version of the Bible reads, "To me belongeth vengeance and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste."

This verse is a part of a song or poem that Moses recites to the Israelites before his death. It is a powerful expression of God's sovereignty and justice, as well as a warning to those who stray from the path of righteousness.

The verse begins with the declaration, "To me belongeth vengeance and recompence," asserting that the power to repay and seek justice belongs to God alone. This statement emphasizes God's role as the ultimate judge and avenger. It also serves as a reminder to the Israelites that they should not take matters of vengeance into their own hands but trust in God to bring about justice.

The following phrase, "their foot shall slide in due time," is a metaphorical expression of the idea that the wicked will ultimately face the consequences of their actions. This imagery of slipping or stumbling conveys the inevitability and certainty of divine retribution. It also suggests that the downfall of the wicked will come at a time determined by God, emphasizing that God's justice operates according to his own timetable.

The verse concludes with a sense of urgency and impending judgment: "for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste." This conveys the immediacy of the impending judgment and the swiftness with which it will be executed. It serves as a stark warning to those who have forsaken God's commandments and chosen the path of wickedness.

One of the prominent themes in this verse is the concept of divine justice. It emphasizes the belief that God is the ultimate arbiter of right and wrong, and that he will ultimately bring about recompense for the actions of all people. This theme provides solace for the righteous, knowing that God will ultimately set things right, and serves as a warning to the wicked, reminding them that they will not escape the consequences of their actions.

Another key theme is the sovereignty of God. The verse underscores God's complete authority and control over the affairs of humanity, including the dispensation of justice. This theme reinforces the idea that ultimate trust and reliance should be placed in God, as he alone has the power to bring about justice and recompense.

The context of this verse is significant, as it is part of Moses' farewell song to the Israelites. In the preceding verses of the song, Moses recounts the faithfulness of God to his people and their rebelliousness and ingratitude in response. He warns the Israelites of the consequences of turning away from God and violating his commandments, emphasizing the importance of obedience and faithfulness.

The symbolism in this verse is powerful, particularly in the imagery of slipping or stumbling and the swift approach of calamity. These symbols vividly convey the idea of divine judgment as an unavoidable and imminent reality for those who stray from the path of righteousness. The image of slipping also suggests the suddenness and unpredictability of the downfall of the wicked, reinforcing the idea that divine retribution is not subject to human manipulation or delay.

In summary, Deuteronomy 32:35 is a poignant and forceful expression of God's sovereignty and justice, as well as a warning to those who deviate from the path of righteousness. Through its themes of divine justice and sovereignty, its context within Moses' farewell address, and its powerful symbolism, this verse serves as a reminder of the ultimate authority and righteousness of God, and the inevitable consequences of straying from his commandments.

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Deuteronomy 32:35 Artwork

Deuteronomy 32:35 - "To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste."

Deuteronomy 32:35 - "To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste."

"To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste." - Deuteronomy 32:35

"To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste." - Deuteronomy 32:35

Numbers 32:35 - "And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah,"

Numbers 32:35 - "And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah,"

Deuteronomy 32:42

Deuteronomy 32:42

Deuteronomy 32:41

Deuteronomy 32:41

Exodus 35:32 - "And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,"

Exodus 35:32 - "And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass,"

Deuteronomy 32:43

Deuteronomy 32:43

Deuteronomy 32:43

Deuteronomy 32:43

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:"

Exodus 32:35 - "And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made."

Exodus 32:35 - "And the LORD plagued the people, because they made the calf, which Aaron made."

"And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah," - Numbers 32:35

"And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah," - Numbers 32:35

"And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah," - Numbers 32:35

"And Atroth, Shophan, and Jaazer, and Jogbehah," - Numbers 32:35

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

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

Deuteronomy 32:28 - "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 32:9 - "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 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 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 32:37 - "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 32:29 - "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 2:35 - "Only the cattle we took for a prey unto ourselves, and the spoil of the cities which we took."

Deuteronomy 2:35 - "Only the cattle we took for a prey unto ourselves, and the spoil of the cities which we took."

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 32:5 - "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 32:40 - "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."

"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 32:32

"And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass," - Exodus 35:32

"And to devise curious works, to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass," - Exodus 35:32

Deuteronomy 4:35 - "Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him."

Deuteronomy 4:35 - "Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him."