Deuteronomy 29:23and that the whole land of it is sulfur, and salt, and a burning, that it is not sown, nor bears, nor any grass grows therein, like the overthrow of Sodom and Gomorrah, Admah and Zeboiim, which Yahweh overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:
The setting
Plains of Moab, Jordan Valley, ~1400 BC. Moses references the Dead Sea region's sulfur and salt deposits. Modern-day Jordan and Israel border...
The emotion here: soberly documenting devastating reality
The original word
gophrith (גָּפְרִית) — sulfur, brimstone, burning volcanic material
Why it matters
The Dead Sea region still has sulfur deposits and nothing grows in the salt flats
Read with care
What most readers miss in Deuteronomy 29:23
Moses is pointing to actual geographic locations his audience could see — the Dead Sea valley
Common misconceptionPeople read this as purely symbolic, but Moses is referencing real geographic locations with actual sulfur and salt deposits that his audience could visit.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Deuteronomy 29:23
Bible Genome reading
Deuteronomy 29:23 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Deuteronomy 29:23 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 judgment, desolation. Notable phrases: sulfur and salt; burning; not sown. 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 29:23 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "grieving"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.