Deuteronomy 29:21 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 29:21 mean?

Deuteronomy 29:21 says that the LORD will single out a person for disaster from among all the tribes of Israel, carrying out the curses described in the covenant written in the book of the law. This verse describes a specific consequence for someone who breaks the covenant: being set apart for harm, according to what is written in the law.

In this part of Deuteronomy, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the land of Canaan. He warns them about the seriousness of the covenant they are making with God. The verse emphasizes that anyone who turns away from the covenant will not escape notice; instead, God Himself will make sure the consequences written in the law are carried out for that person.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 29:21

• The word “separate” (בָּדַל, badal) means to divide or set apart. Here, it shows that the LORD is actively making a distinction, not just allowing trouble to happen, but purposefully setting the person apart for judgment.
• The word “evil” (רָעָה, ra‘ah) often means harm, disaster, or calamity, not just moral evil. In this context, it refers to the specific troubles or curses listed earlier in the covenant.
• The word “covenant” (בְּרִית, berit) is a formal agreement or treaty. The verse stresses that the consequences are not random but are tied to the agreed terms between God and Israel.
• The word “written” (כָּתַב, katav) reminds the reader that these curses are not secret or arbitrary; they are recorded in the “book” (סֵפֶר, sefer) of the law (תּוֹרָה, torah), making the terms clear and public.

Why Deuteronomy 29:21 matters

• This verse clears up the idea that breaking the covenant is a private matter; it shows that God will publicly and specifically address such disobedience.
• The verse highlights the seriousness and binding nature of the covenant, showing that the consequences are not just threats but written, formal terms.
• It connects to the wider passage by reinforcing the idea that the covenant applies to every individual in Israel, not just the nation as a whole, and that God Himself enforces its terms.