Deuteronomy 32:25Outside the sword shall bereave, and in the rooms, terror; on both young man and virgin, The nursing infant with the gray-haired man.
The setting
Plains of Moab, ~1406 BC. Moses reaches the most painful part of the prophecy — when violence spares no age group. This would later happen during Babylonian conquest. Modern-day Jordan.
The emotion here: weeping as he records what must be said
The original word
shakel (שָׁכֵל) — to be bereaved, lose children, specifically the grief of outliving your offspring
Why it matters
This prophecy was fulfilled exactly 800 years later when Babylon destroyed Jerusalem in 586 BC
Read with care
What most readers miss in Deuteronomy 32:25
The phrase 'young man and virgin' represents those with the most potential — the future being cut short
Common misconceptionPeople think this means God delights in death. It's actually God's grief at what happens when societies choose violence over justice.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Deuteronomy 32:25
Bible Genome reading
Deuteronomy 32:25 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Deuteronomy 32:25 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, comprehensive destruction. Notable phrases: sword shall bereave; terror; young man and virgin; nursing infant. 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 32:25 mean to you, today?
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