The Meaning of Deuteronomy 32:22 Explained

Deuteronomy 32:22

KJV: For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains.

YLT: For a fire hath been kindled in Mine anger, And it burneth unto Sheol -- the lowest, And consumeth earth and its increase, And setteth on fire foundations of mountains.

Darby: For a fire is kindled in mine anger, And it shall burn into the lowest Sheol, And shall consume the earth and its produce, And set fire to the foundations of the mountains.

ASV: For a fire is kindled in mine anger, And burneth unto the lowest Sheol, And devoureth the earth with its increase, And setteth on fire the foundations of the mountains.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For a fire  is kindled  in mine anger,  and shall burn  unto the lowest  hell,  and shall consume  the earth  with her increase,  and set on fire  the foundations  of the mountains. 

What does Deuteronomy 32:22 Mean?

Context Summary

Deuteronomy 32:15-35 - Moses' Song: Israel's Response
"Jeshurun" is a pet name for Israel, implying affection and endearment. The metaphor employed is derived from a pampered animal which, in consequence of rich and plentiful feeding, becomes mischievous and vicious.
Let us be warned by these denunciations against backsliding and willful sin. The greatness of our privileges will be the measure of the anguish of our doom. They who are exalted to Heaven by privilege must be cast down to Hades if they refuse and reject. The most fervent love becomes the hottest fire when it turns to jealousy. O my soul, it becomes thee to fear God as well as love Him. Remember Hebrews 10:26.
But what privileges await those who obey! When we abide in God, no enemy can stand against us. Five, strong in His miraculous fellowship, can chase a hundred, and a hundred, ten thousand. See Leviticus 26:8; also 1 Samuel 14:1, etc. God shows "Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him." See 2 Chronicles 16:9. [source]

Chapter Summary: Deuteronomy 32

1  Moses' song, which sets forth God's mercy and vengeance
46  He exhorts them to set their hearts upon it
48  God sends him up to mount Nebo to see the land, and to die

What do the individual words in Deuteronomy 32:22 mean?

For a fire is kindled by my anger and shall burn to the hell lowest and it shall consume the earth with her increase and set on fire the foundations of the mountains
כִּי־ אֵשׁ֙ קָדְחָ֣ה בְאַפִּ֔י וַתִּיקַ֖ד עַד־ שְׁא֣וֹל תַּחְתִּ֑ית וַתֹּ֤אכַל אֶ֙רֶץ֙ וִֽיבֻלָ֔הּ וַתְּלַהֵ֖ט מוֹסְדֵ֥י הָרִֽים

אֵשׁ֙  a  fire 
Parse: Noun, common singular
Root: אֵשׁ  
Sense: fire.
קָדְחָ֣ה  is  kindled 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Perfect, third person feminine singular
Root: קָדַח  
Sense: to kindle, be kindled.
בְאַפִּ֔י  by  my  anger 
Parse: Preposition-b, Noun, masculine singular construct, first person common singular
Root: אַף 
Sense: nostril, nose, face.
וַתִּיקַ֖ד  and  shall  burn 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: יָקַד 
Sense: to burn, kindle, be kindled.
שְׁא֣וֹל  the  hell 
Parse: Noun, common singular
Root: שְׁאֹול  
Sense: sheol, underworld, grave, hell, pit.
תַּחְתִּ֑ית  lowest 
Parse: Adjective, feminine singular
Root: תַּחְתִּי  
Sense: low, lower, lowest.
וַתֹּ֤אכַל  and  it  shall  consume 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: אָכַל  
Sense: to eat, devour, burn up, feed.
אֶ֙רֶץ֙  the  earth 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֶרֶץ  
Sense: land, earth.
וִֽיבֻלָ֔הּ  with  her  increase 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular construct, third person feminine singular
Root: יְבוּל  
Sense: produce, fruit, produce (of the soil).
וַתְּלַהֵ֖ט  and  set  on  fire 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Piel, Consecutive imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: לָהַט 
Sense: to burn, blaze, scorch, kindle, blaze up, flame.
מוֹסְדֵ֥י  the  foundations 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: מֹוסָדָה  
Sense: foundation.
הָרִֽים  of  the  mountains 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: הַר  
Sense: hill, mountain, hill country, mount.