The Meaning of Deuteronomy 32:25 Explained

Deuteronomy 32:25

KJV: The sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs.

YLT: Without bereave doth the sword, And at the inner-chambers -- fear, Both youth and virgin, Suckling with man of grey hair.

Darby: From without shall the sword bereave them, and in the chambers, terror Both the young man and the virgin, The suckling with the man of gray hairs.

ASV: Without shall the sword bereave, And in the chambers terror; It shall destroy both young man and virgin, The suckling with the man of gray hairs.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

The sword  without,  and terror  within,  shall destroy  both the young man  and the virgin,  the suckling  [also] with the man  of gray hairs. 

What does Deuteronomy 32:25 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 32:25 mean?

Outside shall destroy the sword and within [There shall be] terror for the young man and virgin the nursing child with the man of gray hairs
מִחוּץ֙ תְּשַׁכֶּל־ חֶ֔רֶב וּמֵחֲדָרִ֖ים אֵימָ֑ה גַּם־ בָּחוּר֙ גַּם־ בְּתוּלָ֔ה יוֹנֵ֖ק עִם־ אִ֥ישׁ שֵׂיבָֽה

מִחוּץ֙  Outside 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular
Root: חוּץ  
Sense: outside, outward, street, the outside.
תְּשַׁכֶּל־  shall  destroy 
Parse: Verb, Piel, Imperfect, third person feminine singular
Root: מְשַׁכֶּלֶת 
Sense: to be bereaved, make childless, miscarry.
חֶ֔רֶב  the  sword 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: חֶרֶב  
Sense: sword, knife.
וּמֵחֲדָרִ֖ים  and  within 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m, Noun, masculine plural
Root: חֶדֶר  
Sense: chamber, room, parlour, innermost or inward part, within.
אֵימָ֑ה  [There  shall  be]  terror 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: אֵימָה 
Sense: terror, dread.
בָּחוּר֙  the  young  man 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: בָּחוּר 
Sense: youth, young man.
בְּתוּלָ֔ה  virgin 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: בְּתוּלָה  
Sense: virgin.
יוֹנֵ֖ק  the  nursing  child 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Participle, masculine singular
Root: יָנַק 
Sense: to suckle, nurse, suck.
אִ֥ישׁ  the  man 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: אִישׁ 
Sense: man.
שֵׂיבָֽה  of  gray  hairs 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular
Root: שֵׂיבָה  
Sense: age, gray hair, hoary head, old age.