Deuteronomy 28:63It shall happen that as Yahweh rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you, so Yahweh will rejoice over you to cause you to perish, and to destroy you; and you shall be plucked from off the land where you go in to possess it.
The setting
Plains of Moab, Jordan River valley, ~1406 BC. Moses delivers the most difficult part of his farewell - explaining how God's justice and love coexist...
The emotion here: wrestling with divine justice while loving the people
The original word
śāś (שוֹשׂ) — to rejoice, be glad, but here ironically used for bringing judgment
Why it matters
This is the only place in Scripture where God 'rejoices' in bringing destruction
Read with care
What most readers miss in Deuteronomy 28:63
The same passion God had for blessing them becomes the passion for their discipline
Common misconceptionPeople think this shows God is vindictive, but it reveals that God's emotions are as intense in discipline as in blessing - both flow from perfect love.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Deuteronomy 28:63
Bible Genome reading
Deuteronomy 28:63 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Deuteronomy 28:63 comes from the book of Deuteronomy, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to Moses. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the prophecy genre of biblical literature. Key themes include divine emotion, reversal. Notable phrases: rejoiced over you; rejoice to destroy. This verse contains a promise of God. This verse contains prophecy.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does Deuteronomy 28:63 mean to you, today?
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