Deuteronomy 7:10 Meaning: What 'To His Face' Means
and repays those who hate him to their face, to destroy them. He will not be slack to him who hates him. He will repay him to his face.
And repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.
and repayeth them that hate him to their face, to destroy them: he will not be slack to him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.
and repaying to those hating Him, unto their face, to destroy them; He delayeth not to him who is hating Him--unto his face, He repayeth to him--
and repayeth them that hate him [each] to his face, to cause them to perish: he delayeth not with him that hateth him, he will repay him to his face.
Meaning in one sentence
Discover the meaning of 'repays those who hate him to their face' in Deuteronomy 7:10, a promise of certain, personal judgment that balances God's holiness with
Context
Moses is preparing Israel to enter the Promised Land. In Deuteronomy 7, he warns them not to make covenants with the nations there, because they would lead Israel into idolatry. Verse 9 declares God's faithfulness to those who love Him, keeping covenant mercy for a thousand generations. Then comes this hard companion promise: God also repays those who hate Him, and He does it to their face, openly and directly. The verse is not a detached threat but part of how Moses describes who God is: faithful in both love and justice. It echoes the Ten Commandments (Exodus 20:5-6) and reminds Israel that their God is not indifferent to rebellion.
Key Words
The word that repeats three times, 'face', is panim in Hebrew. It means more than a physical face; it carries presence, being right in front of someone. When God repays 'to his face,' the judgment will not be hidden or indirect. The person will know it is from God, and they will see it coming.
The word for 'hate' here, sane, is the same word used elsewhere for loving God or neighbor; it describes a settled opposition, not just a feeling. To hate God is to set yourself against His ways. And the promise that God will not be 'slack' (achar) means He will not drag His feet. He may wait, but He will not be late. The timing is His, and it is perfect.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have wrestled with this verse. Calvin understood 'to his face' to mean God humbles their pride openly, so they feel His hand. Wesley took it as God punishing them so they cannot avoid it. Gill noted that Jewish interpreters like Onkelos read it as 'in their lifetime,' meaning the punishment comes while they still live. The Cambridge Bible suggests the passage's underlying principle, God's holiness, endures even when the specific commands to destroy nations no longer apply. What unites these readings is the conviction that God's justice is personal and certain.
A common misunderstanding
A common misreading is to think 'to his face' refers to God's face, God's angry expression turned toward the sinner. In fact, the Hebrew panim always refers to the face of the person being addressed. The verse means God repays the hater to his own face: openly, in his own sight, so he cannot claim ignorance. It is a judgment he sees coming, not a distant thunderbolt. The repetition drives home that God will not act behind anyone's back.
Living This Out
This verse asks you to take God's justice seriously, both for yourself and for the world. If you have areas of life where you are opposing God, even subtly, this is a gentle warning not to presume on His patience. He will not be slack. But it is also a comfort when you see evil prosper. God sees. He will repay openly, in His time. You do not need to carry bitterness or take revenge into your own hands. You can trust the Judge of all the earth to do right. Meanwhile, let His patience lead you to turn toward Him, not away.
Main takeaway: God's judgment against those who oppose Him is certain, personal, and will not be delayed forever.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
God sees everything, even the bad things people do. He will make them right one day. He wants us to love Him instead.
For ages 9, 12
This verse says God will punish people who hate Him, and He won't put it off forever. That might sound scary, but if you love God, you don't need to be afraid. He is patient and gives everyone time to turn to Him. The really good news is that Jesus took the punishment for everyone who trusts in Him, so we can be forgiven and live with God.
Questions People Ask
What does 'to his face' mean in Deuteronomy 7:10?
It means God repays the person openly and directly, so they see and feel His judgment. The Hebrew word 'panim' refers to the person's own face, not God's face. Calvin and Wesley both understood it as open, unavoidable punishment.
Does God hate people who hate Him?
The verse describes God's response to those who oppose Him, but Scripture also says God is love and takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked. 'Hate' here means a settled opposition to God, not a temporary emotion. God's judgment is just, but He is patient, wanting all to come to repentance.
How is this verse consistent with God's mercy?
The same passage (Deuteronomy 7:9) emphasizes God's steadfast love to those who love Him. God's justice and mercy are not opposed. In Christ, God's judgment against sin was satisfied, so mercy can be extended to everyone who trusts in Him.
Is God slow to punish sinners?
The verse says God will not be 'slack', He will not delay beyond the right time. Yet elsewhere Scripture says God is slow to anger and patient. So His judgment is certain but not always immediate. His patience gives room for repentance. Eventually, justice will come.
For pastors & researchers
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