Deuteronomy 29:18-20

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 29:10-29

It appears by the length of the sentences here, and by the copiousness and pungency of the expressions, that Moses, now that he was drawing near to the close of his discourse, was very warm and zealous, and very desirous to impress what he said upon the minds of this unthinking people. To bind them the faster to God and duty, he here, with great solemnity of expression (to make up the want of the external ceremony that was used (Exod. 24:4-8), concludes a bargain (as it were) between them and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 29:18

Lest there should be among you man or woman, or family, or tribe ,.... These words stand in connection with Deuteronomy 29:15 , with Deuteronomy 29:16 being in a parenthesis, as may be observed, and show the design of this solemn appearance of the people, and their entering afresh into covenant; which was to prevent their falling into idolatry, and preserve them from it, whether a single person of either sex, or a whole family, or even a tribe, which might be in danger of being infected... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 29:19

And it cometh to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse ,.... That is, the man before compared to a root bearing bitter herbs, when he should hear the curses pronounced by the law against such persons as himself: that he bless himself in his heart ; inwardly pronounce himself blessed, thinking himself secure from the curse of the law, and flattering himself it will never reach him nor come upon him: saying, I shall have peace ; all happiness and prosperity, in soul, body, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 29:20

Then the Lord will not spare him ,.... Have no mercy upon him, nor forgive him, being an hardhearted, impenitent, stubborn, and obstinate sinner, as well as guilty of the grossest and most provoking sin, as idolatry is: but then the anger of the Lord, and his jealousy, shall smoke against that man ; or, "the nose of the Lord shall smoke" F6 יעשן אף יהוה "fumabit nasus Domini", Montanus. ; alluding to an angry, wrathful, furious man, whose brain being heated, and his passions... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 29:18

A root that beareth gall and wormwood - That is, as the apostle expresses it, Hebrews 3:12 , An evil heart of unbelief departing from the living God; for to this place he evidently refers. It may also signify false doctrines, or idolatrous persons among themselves. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 29:19

To add drunkenness to thirst - A proverbial expression denoting the utmost indulgence in all sensual gratifications. read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 29:19

Verse 19 19.And it come to pass when he heareth the words. He shews that it is not without reason that he has used so solemn and severe an adjuration; since nothing is more common than for men to flatter themselves, and by levity to evade the decision of God. He therefore repeats, that they are standing before God, who neither deceives, nor is deceived, nor even allows Himself to be thought lightly of; in order that they may tremble at His threats. Let the majesty of God, he says, be dreaded by... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 29:20

Verse 20 20.The Lord will not spare him. Moses here teaches us that the obstinacy in which the wicked are willfully hardened, shuts against them the door of hope, so that they will find that God is not to be appeased. And assuredly it is the climax of all sins that a wretched man, who is abandoned to vice, should extinguish the light of his own reason, and destroy the image of God within him, so as to degenerate into a beast: and not only so, but also that he should dethrone God, as if He were... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 29:10-21

Apostasy in heart a root of bitterness. In the midst of this paragraph there is an expression of which the writer to the Hebrews makes use as a warning. It is found in the eighteenth verse: "Lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood." In the Epistle to the Hebrews 12:10 , the sacred writer says, "Looking diligently … lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled." The root bearing gall and wormwood which Moses deprecates is,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 29:10-28

The land of promise becoming accursed. Moses has tried the principle of gratitude with the Israelites, urging obedience from a sense of the great goodness of the Lord. And now he turns to the other principle of fear , which cannot be dispensed with in religion, £ and urges obedience out of respect for the Promised Land, since if they are disobedient it will be turned to a land accursed. The land will in such a ease become a witness to the curse of God, instead of continuing a... read more

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