Discovery BoxDeuteronomy 29:19-20 
Context29:19 When such a person 1 hears the words of this oath he secretly 2 blesses himself 3 and says, “I will have peace though I continue to walk with a stubborn spirit.” 4 This will destroy 5 the watered ground with the parched. 6 29:20 The Lord will be unwilling to forgive him, and his intense anger 7 will rage 8 against that man; all the curses 9 written in this scroll will fall upon him 10 and the Lord will obliterate his name from memory. 11
1 tn Heb “he”; the referent (the subject of the warning in v. 18) has been specified in the translation for clarity.
2 tn Heb “in his heart.”
3 tn Or “invokes a blessing on himself.” A formalized word of blessing is in view, the content of which appears later in the verse.
4 tn Heb “heart.”
5 tn Heb “thus destroying.” For stylistic reasons the translation begins a new sentence here.
6 tn Heb “the watered with the parched.” The word “ground” is implied. The exact meaning of the phrase is uncertain although it appears to be figurative. This appears to be a proverbial observation employing a figure of speech (a merism) suggesting totality. That is, the Israelite who violates the letter and even spirit of the covenant will harm not only himself but everything he touches – “the watered and the parched.” Cf. CEV “you will cause the rest of Israel to be punished along with you.”
7 tn Heb “the wrath of the
8 tn Heb “smoke,” or “smolder.”
9 tn Heb “the entire oath.”
10 tn Or “will lie in wait against him.”
11 tn Heb “blot out his name from under the sky.”
