Deuteronomy 29:23 Meaning and Explanation
“And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the LORD overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The land becomes barren and toxic, compared to the destruction of Sodom and the Cities of the Plain.
The Context of Deuteronomy 29:23
Moses uses the image of Sodom's destruction to convey the severity of covenant judgment.
What Does Deuteronomy 29:23 Mean?
The imagery is of total desolation: brimstone (sulfur), salt, and burning. Nothing grows. The land is as lifeless as Sodom after God's judgment. This is not temporary hardship but lasting devastation. The ground itself is poisoned, unable to support life or crops.
The comparison to Sodom and Gomorrah and the nearby cities is deliberate. Those cities were destroyed in God's anger for their wickedness. Similarly, if Israel breaks covenant, their land faces the same judgment—not as an impersonal disaster but as God's deliberate action against their rebellion.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 29:23
What does Deuteronomy 29:23 mean?
The land becomes barren and toxic, compared to the destruction of Sodom and the Cities of the Plain.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 29:23?
Moses uses the image of Sodom's destruction to convey the severity of covenant judgment.