Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?

DEUTERONOMY 32:34KJV
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What does Deuteronomy 32:34 mean?

Deuteronomy 32:34 says that certain things—likely referring to judgments or consequences—are kept securely with God, stored away and sealed among His treasures. The verse emphasizes that God is keeping track of these matters, even if they are not immediately visible or acted upon.

In this part of Deuteronomy, Moses is speaking to the Israelites near the end of his life, reciting a song that warns them about turning away from God. Here, Moses assures the people that God does not forget wrongs or injustices; instead, He stores them up and will deal with them at the right time. The verse uses the image of something valuable or important being hidden away in a treasure store, emphasizing God’s careful attention and control over future events.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 32:34

  • store (כָּסָה, kasah): This word often means to cover or conceal. In this verse, it suggests that God is intentionally hiding or reserving something, not losing track of it.
  • up (חָתַם, chatam): This word means to seal. The idea is that what God has stored is securely closed off, not to be tampered with or forgotten.
  • treasures (אוֹצָר, otzar): This word means a storehouse or treasury. Here, it paints a picture of God keeping these matters in a place where valuable things are kept, highlighting their importance and the certainty that God will remember them.

Why Deuteronomy 32:34 matters

  • Many readers might think God overlooks or forgets injustices or wrongs, but this verse clarifies that God keeps careful record, even if His response is delayed.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme of Deuteronomy 32, where Moses warns Israel about consequences for turning away from God, showing that divine justice is certain, though sometimes postponed.
  • The imagery of treasures and sealing helps readers understand that God’s actions are deliberate and purposeful, not random or careless.

Where else these words appear

“up” Hebrew H2856 · used in 24 verses

  • Leviticus 15:3 And this shall be his uncleanness in his issue: whether his flesh run with his issue, or his flesh be stopped from his issue, it is his uncleanness.
  • Job 9:7 Which commandeth the sun, and it riseth not; and sealeth up the stars.
  • Jeremiah 32:10 And I subscribed the evidence, and sealed it, and took witnesses, and weighed him the money in the balances.

“treasures” Hebrew H214 · used in 70 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:12 The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
  • 2 Chronicles 5:1 Thus all the work that Solomon made for the house of the LORD was finished: and Solomon brought in all the things that David his father had dedicated; and the silver, and the gold, and all the instruments, put he among the treasures of the house of God.
  • Isaiah 2:7 Their land also is full of silver and gold, neither is there any end of their treasures; their land is also full of horses, neither is there any end of their chariots: