Deuteronomy 32:35 Meaning and Explanation
“To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Vengeance belongs to God, and Israel will slip in their own time of calamity.
The Context of Deuteronomy 32:35
Moses declares vengeance God's prerogative and Israel's judgment imminent.
What Does Deuteronomy 32:35 Mean?
Vengeance is exclusively God's prerogative. Israel cannot revenge itself; neither can enemies righteously execute justice. Only God can rightly judge because only God sees the full picture. The foot sliding suggests that Israel's position is unstable; they stand on a precipice without knowing it.
The phrase 'in due time' emphasizes that judgment operates according to a schedule known to God, not determined by Israel's sense of immediacy. Yet 'at hand' and 'make haste' assure that the time is not indefinitely distant. The calamity approaches with urgency.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 32:35
What does Deuteronomy 32:35 mean?
Vengeance belongs to God, and Israel will slip in their own time of calamity.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 32:35?
Moses declares vengeance God's prerogative and Israel's judgment imminent.