Deuteronomy 11:17 Meaning and Explanation
“And then the LORD's wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven, that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest ye perish quickly from off the good land which the LORD giveth you.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Idolatry brings God's anger and loss of the rain essential for survival in Canaan.
The Context of Deuteronomy 11:17
Moses shows the exact reversal of blessing: drought and famine as punishment for idolatry.
What Does Deuteronomy 11:17 Mean?
The consequence of turning to other gods is dramatic and ecological: God will withhold rain, the very provision on which Canaan's fertility depends. A land without rain becomes barren and unable to sustain life—a swift reversal of the blessing described in verses 14-15.
The land will not yield her fruit recalls verse 12's emphasis on God's care for the land. Disobedience does not just anger God personally; it breaks the ecological and spiritual order on which Israel's survival in Canaan depends. Perish quickly emphasizes the urgency of this threat.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 11:17
What does Deuteronomy 11:17 mean?
Idolatry brings God's anger and loss of the rain essential for survival in Canaan.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 11:17?
Moses shows the exact reversal of blessing: drought and famine as punishment for idolatry.