Deuteronomy 11:17 - and Yahweh’s anger be kindled against you, and he shut up the sky, so that there is no rain, and the land doesn’t yield its fruit; and you perish quickly from off the good land which Yahweh gives you.

Generated Verse: Deuteronomy 11:17

What does "Deuteronomy 11:17" mean?


Deuteronomy 11:17 is a warning about the consequences of disobedience to Yahweh (God). Let's break down the meaning of each part:

"And Yahweh's anger be kindled against you..." This indicates that if the Israelites are disobedient, God's anger will be ignited against them. This is not a literal, fiery anger, but a metaphor for God's displeasure and the resulting consequences of their actions.

"...and he shut up the sky, so that there is no rain..." This refers to a drought. God controlling the rain is a common theme in the Old Testament, showing his power over nature and his ability to provide (or withhold) essential resources as a form of blessing or punishment.

"...and the land doesn't yield its fruit..." This means that without rain, the crops will fail, and the land will become barren. This is a direct consequence of the drought.

"...and you perish quickly from off the good land which Yahweh gives you." This is the ultimate consequence. Starvation and hardship due to the drought will lead to the rapid decline and potential demise of the Israelites. The phrase "good land" emphasizes the gift God has given them, making their potential loss even more tragic because it's a forfeiture of God's blessing.

In essence, the verse is a stern warning against disobedience. It connects moral behavior with practical consequences. The message is that obedience to God brings blessing and prosperity, while disobedience brings hardship, scarcity, and ultimately, destruction. It highlights the covenant relationship between God and the Israelites, where their faithfulness determines their fate in the Promised Land.

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