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Deuteronomy 29:19 - Divine justice for defiant sinners

Deuteronomy 29:19 - דברים 29:19

Hebrew Text

לֹא־יֹאבֶה יְהוָה סְלֹחַ לוֹ כִּי אָז יֶעְשַׁן אַף־יְהוָה וְקִנְאָתוֹ בָּאִישׁ הַהוּא וְרָבְצָה בּוֹ כָּל־הָאָלָה הַכְּתוּבָה בַּסֵּפֶר הַזֶּה וּמָחָה יְהוָה אֶת־שְׁמוֹ מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמָיִם׃

English 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.

Transliteration

Lo-yoveh Adonai seloach lo ki az ye'ashan af-Adonai vekin'ato ba'ish hahu veravtza bo kol-ha'alah haktuvah bassefer hazeh umachah Adonai et-shemo mitachat hashamayim.

Hebrew Leining Text

לֹא־יֹאבֶ֣ה יְהֹוָה֮ סְלֹ֣חַֽ לוֹ֒ כִּ֣י אָ֠ז יֶעְשַׁ֨ן אַף־יְהֹוָ֤ה וְקִנְאָתוֹ֙ בָּאִ֣ישׁ הַה֔וּא וְרָ֤בְצָה בּוֹ֙ כׇּל־הָ֣אָלָ֔ה הַכְּתוּבָ֖ה בַּסֵּ֣פֶר הַזֶּ֑ה וּמָחָ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־שְׁמ֔וֹ מִתַּ֖חַת הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃
לֹא־יֹאבֶ֣ה יְהֹוָה֮ סְלֹ֣חַֽ לוֹ֒ כִּ֣י אָ֠ז יֶעְשַׁ֨ן אַף־יְהֹוָ֤ה וְקִנְאָתוֹ֙ בָּאִ֣ישׁ הַה֔וּא וְרָ֤בְצָה בּוֹ֙ כׇּל־הָ֣אָלָ֔ה הַכְּתוּבָ֖ה בַּסֵּ֣פֶר הַזֶּ֑ה וּמָחָ֤ה יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־שְׁמ֔וֹ מִתַּ֖חַת הַשָּׁמָֽיִם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Sefer Devarim

This verse appears in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 29:19, within the context of the Tochacha (the rebuke), where Moshe warns Bnei Yisrael of the severe consequences of abandoning the covenant with Hashem. The Torah emphasizes that deliberate and brazen rebellion against Hashem’s commandments will not be forgiven lightly.

Rashi’s Explanation

Rashi (Devarim 29:19) explains that the phrase "לֹא־יֹאבֶה ה' סְלֹחַ לוֹ" ("the Lord will not spare him") refers to someone who sins be’mezid (intentionally) and persists in their rebellion without repentance. Such a person cannot expect divine forgiveness, as their actions demonstrate a complete rejection of the covenant.

Divine Anger and Jealousy

The imagery of "יֶעְשַׁן אַף־ה' וְקִנְאָתוֹ" ("the anger of the Lord and His jealousy shall smoke") conveys the intensity of Hashem’s response to deliberate defiance. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 4:1) teaches that divine anger is not an emotional reaction but a measured response to human actions, ensuring justice is upheld.

The Curses and Erasure of Name

The phrase "כָּל־הָאָלָה הַכְּתוּבָה בַּסֵּפֶר הַזֶּה" ("all the curses written in this book") refers to the detailed punishments enumerated earlier in the Tochacha. The Sifrei (Devarim 29:19) explains that these curses are cumulative—each transgression brings additional consequences.

The final clause, "וּמָחָה ה' אֶת־שְׁמוֹ מִתַּחַת הַשָּׁמָיִם" ("the Lord shall blot out his name from under heaven"), is interpreted by the Midrash Tanchuma (Ki Tavo 3) as both a physical and spiritual obliteration—removing the sinner’s legacy from the world and their portion in the World to Come.

Halachic and Ethical Implications

  • Teshuvah as the Remedy: The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah 3:14) stresses that even in this severe warning, repentance remains possible until one’s final moments.
  • Public vs. Private Sin: The Chofetz Chaim notes that the verse emphasizes consequences for those who sin openly (be’farhesia), as their actions can lead others astray.
  • Covenantal Responsibility: The Malbim explains that the severity stems from violating the sacred bond between Hashem and Klal Yisrael, making repentance more demanding.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 29:19 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 29:19 warns about the severe consequences for someone who knowingly and stubbornly sins, thinking they can escape punishment. The verse states that Hashem will not forgive such a person, His anger will burn against them, all the curses written in the Torah will come upon them, and their name will be erased. Rashi explains this refers to someone who rejects the covenant with Hashem and follows their own stubborn heart.
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is important because it teaches the seriousness of intentionally rebelling against Hashem and breaking the covenant. The Rambam (Hilchot Teshuvah) discusses how true repentance is necessary to avoid such severe consequences. It reminds us that we are accountable for our actions and cannot take Hashem's patience for granted.
Q: What can we learn from Deuteronomy 29:19?
A: We learn that Hashem takes covenant obligations very seriously. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 43a) discusses how this verse shows the gravity of persisting in sin without repentance. It teaches us the importance of sincere teshuvah (repentance) and not being arrogant by thinking we can sin without consequences.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: This verse reminds us today that we must take our relationship with Hashem seriously. The Sforno explains that this applies to anyone who, despite knowing the Torah's truth, deliberately rejects it. It encourages us to examine our actions, repent for mistakes, and not take Hashem's mercy for granted.
Q: What does it mean that 'the Lord shall blot out his name'?
A: The phrase 'blot out his name' means complete eradication, as explained by Ibn Ezra. The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah) connects this to being cut off from both this world and the World to Come. It signifies total separation from the Jewish people and losing one's share in the future redemption, unless one repents sincerely.