Deuteronomy 29:19

And it come to passe when he heareth the wordes of this curse, that hee blesse himselfe in his heart, saying, I shall haue peace, though I walke in the imagination of mine heart, to adde drunkennesse to thirst: Deuteronomy 29:19 (KJV)

Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Pentateuch, also known as the Torah, and it contains the speeches given by Moses to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. In this chapter Moses is reminding the Israelites of the covenant they made with God at Mount Sinai.

The verse refers to “the words of this curse.” Earlier in Deuteronomy Moses outlined the blessings and curses associated with keeping or breaking the covenant with God (Deuteronomy 28). The curses were the consequences of disobedience and idolatry. Here Moses warns that if someone hears these curses and arrogantly believes they will not be affected, they are deceiving themselves.

The passage mentions that when someone hears the curses he may “bless himself in his heart,” implying that the person convinces himself that he will be exempt from the consequences and instead believes he will enjoy peace and prosperity. This reflects an attitude of self‑assurance and false confidence.

It continues that the individual walks “in the imagination of [his] heart,” signifying living according to one’s own desires and thoughts rather than following God’s commands. It suggests pursuing selfish ambitions and worldly pleasures, which are contrary to God’s will.

The metaphor “to add the drunken to the thirsty” (or “to add drunkenness to thirst”) describes the folly of seeking satisfaction in sinful pursuits. Just as adding drunk people to those who are thirsty would not resolve their needs but would compound the problem, pursuing sinful desires leads to deeper spiritual emptiness rather than fulfillment.

Lessons from Deuteronomy 29:19 include recognizing the consequences of disobedience, guarding against self‑deception, seeking God’s will over personal desires, and finding true fulfillment in God alone. The verse highlights the reality of the curses that come from breaking God’s commands and reminds us to take the warnings seriously. We must honestly evaluate our thoughts and actions, ensuring they align with God’s Word, submit our ambitions to His will, and understand that true satisfaction is found only in a relationship with God and living according to His principles.