Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.

DEUTERONOMY 32:33KJV
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Deuteronomy 32:33 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 32:33 mean?

Deuteronomy 32:33 uses strong imagery to describe the destructive and harmful nature of what the people have produced, saying, "Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps." The verse compares what should be a blessing (wine) to something deadly, showing that their actions or teachings have become toxic and dangerous.

In this part of Deuteronomy, Moses is speaking to the Israelites, warning them about the consequences of turning away from God. The verse is part of a song that describes how the people's corruption has led to disaster. The comparison to "dragons" and "asps" highlights just how harmful and twisted things have become, using vivid language to make the warning clear.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 32:33

  • wine (יַיִן, yayin): This word usually means literal wine, a symbol of joy and blessing. Here, it is twisted into something harmful, emphasizing the reversal of what should be good.
  • poison (חֲמַת, chamat): This word means "wrath" or "poison." The use of "poison" here shows that what the people offer is not life-giving, but destructive.
  • dragons (תַּנִּין, tannin): This word often refers to a large, fearsome creature—sometimes translated as "serpent" or "monster." The image adds to the sense of danger and fear.
  • cruel (אַכְזָר, akhzar): This word means "cruel" or "merciless," stressing the harshness of the venom described.
  • venom (רֹאשׁ, rosh): This word refers to "venom" or "poison," especially from serpents. It underlines the deadly effect of what the people have produced.
  • asps (פֶּתֶן, peten): This word means "asp," a type of venomous snake. The mention of asps makes the warning even more vivid, as their bite was known to be deadly.

Why Deuteronomy 32:33 matters

  • Deuteronomy 32:33 clears up any idea that the people's actions are only mildly wrong; the verse shows their ways are deeply harmful, not just mistaken.
  • The verse emphasizes the seriousness of turning away from God by comparing the people's influence to deadly poison, not just something unpleasant.
  • This verse connects to the larger theme of Deuteronomy 32, where Moses warns the Israelites about the real and severe consequences of abandoning their covenant with God.

Where else these words appear

“cruel” Hebrew H393 · used in 4 verses

  • Job 30:21 Thou art become cruel to me: with thy strong hand thou opposest thyself against me.
  • Job 41:10 None is so fierce that dare stir him up: who then is able to stand before me?
  • Lamentations 4:3 Even the sea monsters draw out the breast, they give suck to their young ones: the daughter of my people is become cruel, like the ostriches in the wilderness.

“asps” Hebrew H6620 · used in 6 verses

  • Job 20:14 Yet his meat in his bowels is turned, it is the gall of asps within him.
  • Job 20:16 He shall suck the poison of asps: the viper's tongue shall slay him.
  • Psalms 91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

“venom” Hebrew H7219 · used in 12 verses

  • Deuteronomy 29:18 Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the LORD our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood;
  • Psalms 69:21 They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.
  • Lamentations 3:5 He hath builded against me, and compassed me with gall and travail.

“dragons” Hebrew H8577 · used in 28 verses

  • Genesis 1:21 And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind, and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.
  • Psalms 91:13 Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.
  • Jeremiah 10:22 Behold, the noise of the bruit is come, and a great commotion out of the north country, to make the cities of Judah desolate, and a den of dragons.