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Deuteronomy 29:27 - Divine exile for covenant betrayal?

Deuteronomy 29:27 - דברים 29:27

Hebrew Text

וַיִּתְּשֵׁם יְהוָה מֵעַל אַדְמָתָם בְּאַף וּבְחֵמָה וּבְקֶצֶף גָּדוֹל וַיַּשְׁלִכֵם אֶל־אֶרֶץ אַחֶרֶת כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה׃

English Translation

and the Lord rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.

Transliteration

Vayitashem Adonai me'al admatam be'af uv'cheima uv'ketzef gadol vayashlicheim el-eretz acheret kayom hazeh.

Hebrew Leining Text

וַיִּתְּשֵׁ֤ם יְהֹוָה֙ מֵעַ֣ל אַדְמָתָ֔ם בְּאַ֥ף וּבְחֵמָ֖ה וּבְקֶ֣צֶף גָּד֑וֹל וַיַּשְׁ<big>לִ</big>כֵ֛ם אֶל־אֶ֥רֶץ אַחֶ֖רֶת כַּיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃
וַיִּתְּשֵׁ֤ם יְהֹוָה֙ מֵעַ֣ל אַדְמָתָ֔ם בְּאַ֥ף וּבְחֵמָ֖ה וּבְקֶ֣צֶף גָּד֑וֹל וַיַּשְׁלִכֵ֛ם אֶל־אֶ֥רֶץ אַחֶ֖רֶת כַּיּ֥וֹם הַזֶּֽה׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Sefer Devarim

This verse (Devarim 29:27) appears in the context of Moshe's warnings about the consequences of abandoning the covenant with Hashem. It describes the eventual exile of the Jewish people from their land as a result of failing to uphold the Torah's commandments.

Three Expressions of Divine Judgment

The verse uses three terms for divine anger:

  • אַף (Af) - Rashi explains this refers to a "light anger" that passes quickly
  • חֵמָה (Cheimah) - A more intense, burning anger
  • קֶצֶף (Ketzeif) - The most severe form of anger, implying lasting consequences

The Sforno notes this progression shows how the punishment intensifies when warnings go unheeded.

The Nature of Exile

The phrase "וַיַּשְׁלִכֵם אֶל־אֶרֶץ אַחֶרֶת" ("cast them into another land") is interpreted by Ramban as indicating:

  • Not merely being removed from Eretz Yisrael, but being forcefully thrown into foreign lands
  • The lack of choice in their destination, emphasizing the severity of the punishment

"As It Is This Day"

The concluding phrase "כַּיּוֹם הַזֶּה" has multiple interpretations:

  • Ibn Ezra: A reference to the ongoing reality of exile that would continue in future generations
  • Malbim: Indicates that this warning was given while the people were still in their land, making the threat more immediate
  • Ohr HaChaim: Suggests this refers to the permanent nature of the warning - that the conditions described would remain relevant throughout Jewish history

Halachic Implications

The Rambam (Hilchos Teshuvah 7:5) cites this verse when discussing how exile comes as a consequence of sin, teaching that:

  • Exile is a direct result of violating the covenant
  • The severity of exile corresponds to the severity of the sins
  • This principle remains operative in all generations

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 29:27 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 29:27 describes how Hashem exiled the Jewish people from their land due to their sins. The verse emphasizes the severity of His anger ('af,' 'cheimah,' 'ketzef gadol') and the consequence of being cast into another land. This refers to the exiles that occurred in Jewish history, such as the Babylonian exile, as a result of failing to follow the Torah's commandments.
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is important because it serves as a warning about the consequences of abandoning the covenant with Hashem. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 97a) and Rambam (Hilchot Teshuva) discuss how exile is a direct result of sin, but they also teach that repentance can bring redemption. It reminds us of the importance of keeping the Torah and mitzvot to maintain our connection to the Land of Israel.
Q: What can we learn from Deuteronomy 29:27 today?
A: We learn that actions have consequences, and straying from Torah values can lead to spiritual and national exile. However, the verse also implies hope—just as exile was a result of sin, return is possible through teshuvah (repentance). The Jewish people’s return to Israel in modern times is seen by many as a fulfillment of prophetic promises of redemption.
Q: How does Rashi explain the phrase 'as it is this day' in this verse?
A: Rashi explains that 'as it is this day' means that the exile described was not just a future warning but also a reality already experienced by the Jewish people in different eras. He connects it to the exiles that had already occurred (like the Ten Tribes' exile) and those yet to come, showing that this verse has ongoing relevance throughout Jewish history.
Q: What is the difference between 'anger,' 'wrath,' and 'great indignation' in this verse?
A: The three terms—'af' (anger), 'cheimah' (wrath), and 'ketzef gadol' (great indignation)—describe escalating levels of divine displeasure. The Midrash (Sifrei) explains that these represent increasing severity in punishment corresponding to the severity of the sins committed. They teach that Hashem’s response is measured, but persistent rebellion leads to greater consequences.