Deuteronomy 29:23
And that the whole land thereof is brimstone, and salt, and burning, that it is not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth therein, like the overthrow of Sodom, and Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim, which the Lord overthrew in his anger, and in his wrath:
Deuteronomy 29:23 (KJV)
Context
Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Old Testament, attributed to Moses. It records Moses’ farewell address to Israel, given just before they entered the Promised Land. In this chapter, Moses reaffirms the covenant between God and His people, reminding them of God’s faithfulness and the consequences of disobedience. The covenant was central to Israel’s identity; keeping it brought blessing, while breaking it brought judgment.
Meaning
The verse describes a land made completely barren by brimstone, salt, and burning. Brimstone, or sulfur, and salt make soil useless for growing crops. The words “not sown, nor beareth, nor any grass groweth” picture total desolation. This is not ordinary ruin; it is a visible sign of divine judgment. The comparison to Sodom, Gomorrah, Admah, and Zeboim shows that these cities became a lasting example of what happens when sin meets God’s anger and wrath. The land’s condition—unsown, unproductive, without grass—symbolizes complete sterility and serves as a warning to Israel that covenant unfaithfulness would bring similar devastation.
Biblical connections
The four cities named here were destroyed long before Moses spoke. Sodom and Gomorrah are well known, but Admah and Zeboim also appear in Genesis 14:2 as cities near the Dead Sea. Their inclusion shows that the judgment was not limited to two places; the whole region suffered the same fate. This connection emphasizes the completeness of God’s judgment on wickedness. The same pattern of desolation would come upon Israel’s land if they broke the covenant. The warning is certain: what happened to those cities is a picture of what will happen to the land if the people forsake God. This judgment foreshadows the final judgment and points to the need for redemption, ultimately fulfilled in Christ who bore God’s wrath for sin.
Application
This passage calls believers to faithfulness. God desires obedience and loyalty from His people. Turning away from Him leads to spiritual barrenness and separation from His blessings. The severe consequences described here remind us that sin is serious and that God is just. Yet the verse also points to hope. Throughout Scripture, God forgives and restores those who repent. Even in the face of judgment, there is room for redemption through God’s mercy. For believers, this is a call to cling to God’s mercy and to live in obedience, knowing that sin leads to ruin while obedience leads to life.
Remain faithful to God’s covenant, avoiding idolatry and sin.
Recognize that disobedience brings spiritual desolation.
Live uprightly, knowing that God judges sin righteously.
Turn to God in repentance, trusting His willingness to forgive.
Reflection
The barren land stands as a lasting reminder of God’s holiness and His intolerance of unrepentant sin. At the same time, the gospel shows that Christ bore God’s wrath for sin, making restoration possible. For the believer, this verse is both a warning and an invitation: take sin seriously, cling to God’s mercy, and walk in obedience. The desolation of the past points to the blessing of a life lived in covenant with God.
