Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 29:21
and single him out from all the tribes of Israel for disaster, according to all the curses of the covenant written in this Book of the Law.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses addresses the assembled Israelites at Moab, concluding a covenant renewal address that warns of divine judgment for those who violate the oath.
The words — The Hebrew verb הִבְדִּיל (hivdiL) means "he will separate" or "single out," paired with לְרָעָה (le-ra'ah), "for harm" or "disaster."
The thread — The text's pattern of divine separation for judgment appears in Joshua 7:1 regarding Achan's unfaithfulness, Ezekiel 13:9 against false prophets, and Malachi 3:18 distinguishing the righteous from the wicked.
Why it lands — The text states that a covenant breaker will be isolated from the tribes and subjected to the written curses, requiring the reader to acknowledge that breaking the oath triggers specific, documented consequences rather than divine forgiveness.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And the Lord shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law:
Cross-references
- Joshua 7:1 The Israelites, however, acted unfaithfully regarding the things devoted to destruction. Achan son of Carmi, the son of Zabdi, the son of Zerah, of the tribe of Judah, took some of what was set apart. So the anger of the LORD burned against the Israelites.
- Ezekiel 13:9 My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and speak lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of My people or be recorded in the register of the house of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord GOD.
- Malachi 3:18 So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between those who serve God and those who do not.”
- Matthew 24:51 Then he will cut him to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.
- Matthew 25:32 All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate the people one from another, as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.
- Matthew 25:41 Then He will say to those on His left, ‘Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
- Matthew 25:46 And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.”