Deuteronomy 32:24 Meaning and Explanation
“They shall be burnt with hunger, and devoured with burning heat, and with bitter destruction: I will also send the teeth of beasts upon them, with the poison of serpents of the dust.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Israel will suffer famine, plague, wild beasts, and serpents—both natural and supernatural judgments.
The Context of Deuteronomy 32:24
Moses catalogs Israel's sufferings under divine judgment.
What Does Deuteronomy 32:24 Mean?
The judgments listed—hunger, heat, beasts, serpents—echo the plagues of Egypt but now directed against Israel. The reversal is stark: the instruments of redemption from Egypt become the instruments of judgment in their own land. This underscores that covenant breach undoes covenant blessing.
The specific image of 'teeth of beasts' and 'poison of serpents' connects judgment to creation's hostile forces. When humans break covenant, the created order becomes an adversary. Safety from wild beasts and serpents was part of covenant blessing; their threat is part of covenant curse.
Deuteronomy 32:24 in the Original Language
shinen (שִׁנֵּי), 'teeth' — also jaw or bite, emphasizing destructive power.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 32:24
What does Deuteronomy 32:24 mean?
Israel will suffer famine, plague, wild beasts, and serpents—both natural and supernatural judgments.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 32:24?
Moses catalogs Israel's sufferings under divine judgment.