Deuteronomy 29:20
New International Version
The LORD will never be willing to forgive them; his wrath and zeal will burn against them. All the curses written in this book will fall on them, and the LORD will blot out their names from under heaven.

New Living Translation
The LORD will never pardon such people. Instead his anger and jealousy will burn against them. All the curses written in this book will come down on them, and the LORD will erase their names from under heaven.

English Standard Version
The LORD will not be willing to forgive him, but rather the anger of the LORD and his jealousy will smoke against that man, and the curses written in this book will settle upon him, and the LORD will blot out his name from under heaven.

Berean Standard Bible
The LORD will never be willing to forgive him. Instead, His anger and jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse written in this book will fall upon him. The LORD will blot out his name from under heaven

King James Bible
The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

New King James Version
“The LORD would not spare him; for then the anger of the LORD and His jealousy would burn against that man, and every curse that is written in this book would settle on him, and the LORD would blot out his name from under heaven.

New American Standard Bible
The LORD will not be willing to forgive him, but rather the anger of the LORD and His wrath will burn against that person, and every curse that is written in this book will lie upon him, and the LORD will wipe out his name from under heaven.

NASB 1995
“The LORD shall never be willing to forgive him, but rather the anger of the LORD and His jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse which is written in this book will rest on him, and the LORD will blot out his name from under heaven.

NASB 1977
“The LORD shall never be willing to forgive him, but rather the anger of the LORD and His jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse which is written in this book will rest on him, and the LORD will blot out his name from under heaven.

Legacy Standard Bible
Yahweh shall not be willing to pardon him, but rather the anger of Yahweh and His jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse which is written in this book will rest on him, and Yahweh will blot out his name from under heaven.

Amplified Bible
the LORD will not be willing to forgive him, but then the anger of the LORD and His jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse which is written in this book will rest on him; the LORD will blot out his name from under heaven.

Christian Standard Bible
The LORD will not be willing to forgive him. Instead, his anger and jealousy will burn against that person, and every curse written in this scroll will descend on him. The LORD will blot out his name under heaven,

Holman Christian Standard Bible
The LORD will not be willing to forgive him. Instead, His anger and jealousy will burn against that person, and every curse written in this scroll will descend on him. The LORD will blot out his name under heaven,

American Standard Version
Jehovah will not pardon him, but then the anger of Jehovah and his jealousy will smoke against that man, and all the curse that is written in this book shall lie upon him, and Jehovah will blot out his name from under heaven.

English Revised Version
the LORD will not pardon him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curse that is written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The LORD will never be willing to forgive that person, because the LORD's burning anger will smolder against him. All the curses described in this book will happen to him. The LORD will erase [every memory of] that person's name from the earth.

Good News Translation
The LORD will not forgive such a man. Instead, the LORD's burning anger will flame up against him, and all the disasters written in this book will fall on him until the LORD has destroyed him completely.

International Standard Version
"The LORD won't forgive such a person. Instead, the zealous anger of the LORD will blaze against him. All the curses that were written in this book will fall on him. Then the LORD will wipe out his memory from under heaven.

Majority Standard Bible
The LORD will never be willing to forgive him. Instead, His anger and jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse written in this book will fall upon him. The LORD will blot out his name from under heaven

NET Bible
The LORD will be unwilling to forgive him, and his intense anger will rage against that man; all the curses written in this scroll will fall upon him and the LORD will obliterate his name from memory.

New Heart English Bible
God will not be willing to forgive him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse that is written in this book shall rest on him, and the LORD will blot out his name from under heaven.

Webster's Bible Translation
The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

World English Bible
Yahweh will not pardon him, but then Yahweh’s anger and his jealousy will smoke against that man, and all the curse that is written in this book will fall on him, and Yahweh will blot out his name from under the sky.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
YHWH is not willing to be propitious to him, for then the anger of YHWH smokes, also His zeal, against that man, and all the oath which is written in this scroll has lain down on him, and YHWH has blotted out his name from under the heavens,

Young's Literal Translation
Jehovah is not willing to be propitious to him, for then doth the anger of Jehovah smoke, also His zeal, against that man, and lain down on him hath all the oath which is written in this book, and Jehovah hath blotted out his name from under the heavens,

Smith's Literal Translation
Jehovah shall not be willing to forgive him, for then the anger of Jehovah shall smoke, and his jealousy against that man, and every curse written in this book lay upon him, and Jehovah wiped out his name from under the heavens.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And the Lord should not forgive him: but his wrath and jealousy against that man should be exceedingly enkindled at that time, and all the curses that are written in this volume should light upon him: and the Lord should blot out his name from under heaven,

Catholic Public Domain Version
But the Lord would not ignore him. Instead, at that time, his fury and zealousness would be very greatly enflamed against that man, and all the curses which have been written in this volume would settle upon him. And the Lord would abolish his name from under heaven,

New American Bible
the LORD will never consent to pardon them. Instead, the LORD’s burning wrath will flare up against them; every curse written in this book will pounce on them, and the LORD will blot out their names from under the heavens.

New Revised Standard Version
the LORD will be unwilling to pardon them, for the LORD’s anger and passion will smoke against them. All the curses written in this book will descend on them, and the LORD will blot out their names from under heaven.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
The LORD would not forgive him, but then the anger of the LORD and his zealousness would be grievous against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under the heaven.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
LORD JEHOVAH will not desire to forgive him, but then the wrath of LORD JEHOVAH and his zeal will prevail against that man, and every curse that is written in this book shall come upon him and LORD JEHOVAH shall blot out his name from under Heaven.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
the LORD will not be willing to pardon him, but then the anger of the LORD and His jealousy shall be kindled against that man, and all the curse that is written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
God shall by no means be willing to pardon him, but then the wrath of the Lord and his jealousy shall flame out against that man; and all the curses of this covenant shall attach themselves to him, which are written in this book, and the Lord shall blot out his name from under heaven.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The Covenant in Moab
19because when such a person hears the words of this oath, he invokes a blessing on himself, saying, ‘I will have peace, even though I walk in the stubbornness of my own heart.’ This will bring disaster on the watered land as well as the dry. 20The LORD will never be willing to forgive him. Instead, His anger and jealousy will burn against that man, and every curse written in this book will fall upon him. The LORD will blot out his name from under heaven 21and single him out from all the tribes of Israel for disaster, according to all the curses of the covenant written in this Book of the Law.…

Cross References
Exodus 32:33
The LORD replied to Moses, “Whoever has sinned against Me, I will blot out of My book.

Psalm 69:28
May they be blotted out of the Book of Life and not listed with the righteous.

Revelation 3:5
Like them, he who overcomes will be dressed in white. And I will never blot out his name from the Book of Life, but I will confess his name before My Father and His angels.

Revelation 20:15
And if anyone was found whose name was not written in the Book of Life, he was thrown into the lake of fire.

Revelation 22:19
And if anyone takes away from the words of this book of prophecy, God will take away his share in the tree of life and the holy city, which are described in this book.

Jeremiah 17:13
O LORD, the hope of Israel, all who abandon You will be put to shame. All who turn away will be written in the dust, for they have abandoned the LORD, the fountain of living water.

Isaiah 48:22
“There is no peace,” says the LORD, “for the wicked.”

Hebrews 10:30-31
For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay,” and again, “The Lord will judge His people.” / It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

Romans 11:22
Take notice, therefore, of the kindness and severity of God: severity to those who fell, but kindness to you, if you continue in His kindness. Otherwise you also will be cut off.

1 Corinthians 10:9-10
We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes. / And do not complain, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroying angel.

Numbers 15:30-31
But the person who sins defiantly, whether a native or foreigner, blasphemes the LORD. That person shall be cut off from among his people. / He shall certainly be cut off, because he has despised the word of the LORD and broken His commandment; his guilt remains on him.”

2 Kings 17:18-20
So the LORD was very angry with Israel, and He removed them from His presence. Only the tribe of Judah remained, / and even Judah did not keep the commandments of the LORD their God, but lived according to the customs Israel had introduced. / So the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel. He afflicted them and delivered them into the hands of plunderers, until He had banished them from His presence.

2 Thessalonians 1:8-9
in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. / They will suffer the penalty of eternal destruction, separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His might,

Matthew 7:23
Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness!’

Luke 13:27
And he will answer, ‘I tell you, I do not know where you are from. Depart from me, all you evildoers.’


Treasury of Scripture

The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie on him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

will not spare

Psalm 78:50
He made a way to his anger; he spared not their soul from death, but gave their life over to the pestilence;

Proverbs 6:34
For jealousy is the rage of a man: therefore he will not spare in the day of vengeance.

Isaiah 27:11
When the boughs thereof are withered, they shall be broken off: the women come, and set them on fire: for it is a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favour.

the anger

Psalm 74:1
Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?

his jealousy

Exodus 20:5
Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me;

Exodus 34:14
For thou shalt worship no other god: for the LORD, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God:

Psalm 78:58
For they provoked him to anger with their high places, and moved him to jealousy with their graven images.

smoke

Psalm 18:8
There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.

Psalm 74:1
Maschil of Asaph. O God, why hast thou cast us off for ever? why doth thine anger smoke against the sheep of thy pasture?

Hebrews 12:29
For our God is a consuming fire.

all the curses

Deuteronomy 27:15-26
Cursed be the man that maketh any graven or molten image, an abomination unto the LORD, the work of the hands of the craftsman, and putteth it in a secret place. And all the people shall answer and say, Amen…

Deuteronomy 28:15-68
But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: …

blot out

Deuteronomy 9:14
Let me alone, that I may destroy them, and blot out their name from under heaven: and I will make of thee a nation mightier and greater than they.

Deuteronomy 25:19
Therefore it shall be, when the LORD thy God hath given thee rest from all thine enemies round about, in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance to possess it, that thou shalt blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; thou shalt not forget it.

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Anger Blot Book Burn Curse Curses Heaven Jealousy Kindled Lie Pardon Rather Sky Smoke Spare Willing Wrath Written
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Anger Blot Book Burn Curse Curses Heaven Jealousy Kindled Lie Pardon Rather Sky Smoke Spare Willing Wrath Written
Deuteronomy 29
1. Moses exhorts them to obedience, reminding of the works they had seen
10. All are presented before the Lord to enter into his covenant
18. The great wrath on him who flatters himself in his wickedness
29. Secret things belong unto God














The LORD will never be willing to forgive him
This phrase underscores the gravity of divine judgment. The Hebrew root for "forgive" is סָלַח (salach), which conveys a deep sense of pardon or absolution. In the context of Deuteronomy, this reflects the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, where forgiveness is contingent upon obedience and repentance. The phrase emphasizes the seriousness of turning away from God, highlighting that persistent rebellion leads to a point where divine forgiveness is withheld. This serves as a sobering reminder of the holiness and justice of God, who cannot overlook unrepentant sin.

instead, His anger and jealousy will burn against that man
Here, "anger" and "jealousy" are anthropomorphic expressions of God's righteous indignation. The Hebrew word for "anger" is אַף (aph), often associated with the flaring of nostrils, symbolizing intense wrath. "Jealousy," from the root קַנָּא (qanna), reflects God's zealous protection of His covenant relationship, akin to a marriage bond. This imagery conveys the intensity of God's response to idolatry and covenant unfaithfulness, portraying Him as a passionate defender of His holiness and the exclusive worship due to Him.

Every curse written in this book will rest upon him
The "curse" refers to the covenantal curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28, which are consequences for disobedience. The Hebrew word for "curse" is אָלָה (alah), indicating a solemn oath or imprecation. The phrase "written in this book" underscores the authority and permanence of God's Word. The curses are not arbitrary but are the just recompense for breaking the covenant. This serves as a warning to the Israelites of the serious repercussions of forsaking God's commandments, reinforcing the importance of adherence to His laws.

and the LORD will blot out his name from under heaven
To "blot out" one's name, from the Hebrew מָחָה (machah), signifies complete eradication or removal from memory. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, one's name represented their identity and legacy. Thus, this phrase indicates total divine rejection and exclusion from the community of God's people. The concept of being "under heaven" suggests a universal scope, emphasizing that this judgment is not just temporal but eternal. This serves as a stark warning of the ultimate consequence of persistent rebellion against God, which is total separation from His presence and blessings.

(20) Shall smoke.--Comp. Psalm 80:4; Psalm 74:1. Mount Sinai was altogether "on a smoke" because the Lord descended on it in fire.

Shall lie upon him.--As the beasts lie down in their lairs. The only other place which we can at all compare with this is the difficult expression in Genesis 4:7, "Sin lieth at the door."

Verses 20, 21. - Though the sinner fancies all is well with him, and is hardened in his iniquity, and is leading others astray by his example, the Lord will not suffer him to rest in impunity, but will send on him terrible punishments. The anger of the Lord and his jealousy shall smoke, i.e. shall break forth in destructive fire (cf. Psalm 74:1: Isaiah 65:5; Psalm 18:8). The Lord shall blot out his name from under heaven (cf. Deuteronomy 25:19; Exodus 17:14). The Lord shall separate him unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, - so that, excluded from the covenant nation, and placed beyond the sphere over which rests the salvation of the Lord, they will be exposed to destruction - according to all the curses of the covenant that are written in this book of the law; rather, as in the margin, is written; the participle agrees with "covenant."

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
The LORD
יְהוָה֮ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

will never
לֹא־ (lō-)
Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

be willing
יֹאבֶ֣ה (yō·ḇeh)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 14: To breathe after, to be acquiescent

to forgive him.
סְלֹ֣חַֽ (sə·lō·aḥ)
Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 5545: To forgive, pardon

Instead,
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

[His]
יְהוָ֤ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

anger
אַף־ (’ap̄-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 639: The nose, nostril, the face, a person, ire

and jealousy
וְקִנְאָתוֹ֙ (wə·qin·’ā·ṯōw)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7068: Ardor, zeal, jealousy

will burn
יֶעְשַׁ֨ן (ye‘·šan)
Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6225: To smoke, be angry

against that
הַה֔וּא (ha·hū)
Article | Pronoun - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1931: He, self, the same, this, that, as, are

man,
בָּאִ֣ישׁ (bā·’îš)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 376: A man as an individual, a male person

and every
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

curse
הָ֣אָלָ֔ה (hā·’ā·lāh)
Article | Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 423: An imprecation

written
הַכְּתוּבָ֖ה (hak·kə·ṯū·ḇāh)
Article | Verb - Qal - QalPassParticiple - feminine singular
Strong's 3789: To grave, to write

in this
הַזֶּ֑ה (haz·zeh)
Article | Pronoun - masculine singular
Strong's 2088: This, that

book
בַּסֵּ֣פֶר (bas·sê·p̄er)
Preposition-b, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5612: A missive, document, writing, book

will fall
וְרָ֤בְצָה (wə·rā·ḇə·ṣāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person feminine singular
Strong's 7257: To crouch, be implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed

upon him.
בּוֹ֙ (bōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

The LORD
יְהוָה֙ (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

will blot out
וּמָחָ֤ה (ū·mā·ḥāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 4229: To stroke, rub, to erase, to smooth, grease, make fat, to touch, reach to

his name
שְׁמ֔וֹ (šə·mōw)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 8034: A name

from under
מִתַּ֖חַת (mit·ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition-m
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

heaven
הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃ (haš·šā·mā·yim)
Article | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 8064: Heaven, sky


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 29:20 Yahweh will not pardon him but then (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 29:19
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