The Meaning of Deuteronomy 32:32 Explained

Deuteronomy 32:32

KJV: For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter:

YLT: For of the vine of Sodom their vine is, And of the fields of Gomorrah; Their grapes are grapes of gall -- They have bitter clusters;

Darby: For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, And of the fields of Gomorrah: Their grapes are grapes of poison, Bitter are their clusters;

ASV: For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, And of the fields of Gomorrah: Their grapes are grapes of gall, Their clusters are bitter:

KJV Reverse Interlinear

For their vine  [is] of the vine  of Sodom,  and of the fields  of Gomorrah:  their grapes  [are] grapes  of gall,  their clusters  [are] bitter: 

What does Deuteronomy 32:32 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 32:32 mean?

For the vine of Sodom their vine [is] and of the fields of Gomorrah their grapes [are] grapes of gall clusters [are] bitter their
כִּֽי־ מִגֶּ֤פֶן סְדֹם֙ גַּפְנָ֔ם וּמִשַּׁדְמֹ֖ת עֲמֹרָ֑ה עֲנָבֵ֙מוֹ֙ עִנְּבֵי־ ר֔וֹשׁ אַשְׁכְּלֹ֥ת מְרֹרֹ֖ת לָֽמוֹ

מִגֶּ֤פֶן  the  vine 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, common singular construct
Root: גֶּפֶן  
Sense: vine, vine tree.
סְדֹם֙  of  Sodom 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: סְדֹם  
Sense: a Canaanite city, usually paired with Gomorrah, located in the area of the Dead Sea and the Jordan river; both cities destroyed by God in judgment.
גַּפְנָ֔ם  their  vine  [is] 
Parse: Noun, common singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: גֶּפֶן  
Sense: vine, vine tree.
וּמִשַּׁדְמֹ֖ת  and  of  the  fields 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Preposition-m, Noun, feminine plural construct
Root: שְׁדֵמָה  
Sense: field.
עֲמֹרָ֑ה  of  Gomorrah 
Parse: Proper Noun, feminine singular
Root: עֲמֹרָה  
Sense: the twin-city in evil with Sodom, both destroyed in judgment by God with fire from heaven.
עֲנָבֵ֙מוֹ֙  their  grapes  [are] 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine plural
Root: עֵנָב  
Sense: grape(s).
עִנְּבֵי־  grapes 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: עֵנָב  
Sense: grape(s).
ר֔וֹשׁ  of  gall 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: רֹאשׁ  
Sense: gall, venom, bitter, poisonous.
אַשְׁכְּלֹ֥ת  clusters  [are] 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct
Root: אֶשְׁכֹּול  
Sense: cluster.
מְרֹרֹ֖ת  bitter 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural
Root: מְרֹרָה  
Sense: bitter thing, gall, poison.