Deuteronomy 28:15

KJV

¶ But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

KJV (with Strong's)

But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken {H8085} unto the voice {H6963} of the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, to observe {H8104} to do {H6213} all his commandments {H4687} and his statutes {H2708} which I command {H6680} thee this day {H3117}; that all these curses {H7045} shall come {H935} upon thee, and overtake {H5381} thee:

Complete Jewish Bible

"But if you refuse to pay attention to what ADONAI your God says, and do not observe and obey all his mitzvot and regulations which I am giving you today, then all the following curses will be yours in abundance:

Berean Standard Bible

If, however, you do not obey the LORD your God by carefully following all His commandments and statutes I am giving you today, all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:

American Standard Version

But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day, that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 28:15 stands as a pivotal warning within the Mosaic Covenant, marking a stark transition from the promised blessings for obedience to the severe consequences of disobedience. It declares that if Israel fails to heed God's voice and diligently observe His commandments and statutes, a comprehensive array of curses will inevitably "come upon" and "overtake" them, signifying the inescapable and pervasive nature of divine judgment for covenant unfaithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 28 is the climactic chapter of Moses' final address to Israel on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. It meticulously outlines the conditional nature of the Mosaic Covenant, presenting a dramatic "blessings and curses" framework. Verses 1-14 detail the abundant prosperity, health, and victory Israel would experience if they faithfully obeyed the LORD. Verse 15, however, serves as the ominous pivot point, introducing the extensive list of curses (verses 15-68) that would befall the nation should they disregard God's commands. This structural arrangement underscores the gravity of the choice set before Israel and the absolute necessity of covenant fidelity for their continued well-being in the land promised to their forefathers, as seen in [the Abrahamic covenant](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Abrahamic Covenant").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the plains of Moab, around 1406 BC, with the Israelites poised to cross the Jordan River into Canaan. Moses is delivering his farewell discourse to a new generation, reminding them of the covenant made at Sinai and preparing them for life in the land. The concept of conditional covenants, with stipulated blessings for loyalty and curses for disloyalty, was common in ancient Near Eastern suzerainty treaties between a great king (suzerain) and his vassal states. God, as the divine Suzerain, establishes His covenant with Israel, His vassal nation, using a familiar legal framework to emphasize the binding nature of their relationship and the real consequences of breaking it. This context highlights the seriousness with which God viewed His covenant relationship with His chosen people, a relationship established by His grace but maintained by their responsive obedience.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully encapsulates several foundational themes central to Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it underscores the **Conditional Covenant**, where Israel's prosperity and presence in the land are directly contingent upon their "hearkening" and "observing" God's laws, as articulated throughout [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Secondly, it reveals God's **Divine Authority and Justice**, demonstrating that He is not only the law-giver but also the righteous enforcer of His covenant, faithful to His word in both blessing and judgment. The comprehensive nature of the curses emphasizes the **Seriousness of Disobedience**, portraying it not merely as a minor transgression but as a profound breach of a sacred, life-giving relationship with God. Finally, the phrase "hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God" highlights the theme of **Responsive Obedience**, emphasizing that true faith involves an active, willing, and diligent response to God's revealed will, a theme echoed in [Samuel's rebuke](/1_samuel/15-22 "1 Samuel 15:22 - Obedience is Better Than Sacrifice").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hearken (Hebrew, _shama'_):** This verb (שָׁמַע) is far more comprehensive than merely "hearing" with the ears. It encompasses listening attentively, understanding, internalizing, and, most critically, obeying. In the context of the covenant, "hearkening" implies a responsive and active submission to God's revealed will, signifying a heart that is aligned with His commands. It is the foundational requirement for covenant fidelity, demanding not just intellectual assent but practical compliance.
* **Commandments (Hebrew, _mitzvah'_):** The term (מִצְוָה) refers to God's specific commands or precepts, often moral or ethical injunctions that guide Israel's conduct. These are divine directives that articulate God's will for His people's lives, encompassing all aspects of their behavior and worship. The plural form "commandments and his statutes" emphasizes the totality and breadth of God's law, requiring complete adherence.
* **Overtake (Hebrew, _nasag'_):** This verb (נָשַׂג) conveys the idea of pursuing and catching up to something, of reaching or attaining it. When applied to the curses, it vividly portrays them as an inescapable force that will relentlessly pursue and ultimately seize the disobedient. It suggests that no matter where Israel goes or what they do, the consequences of their unfaithfulness will inevitably find them, becoming an unavoidable and pervasive reality.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God,"**: This opening clause establishes the conditional nature of the covenant. The phrase "it shall come to pass" introduces a future certainty, contingent upon a specific action or inaction. The core failure is not merely a lack of hearing, but a refusal to "hearken" – to listen attentively and, crucially, to obey the very "voice" of God. This implies a deliberate choice to disregard divine authority and instruction, indicating a hardened heart or rebellious will.
* **"to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day;"**: This part specifies the scope of the required obedience. It's not selective compliance but a comprehensive commitment "to do all" of God's "commandments and his statutes." The emphasis on "this day" highlights the immediacy and present relevance of Moses' charge, making it clear that the covenant stipulations are binding now, as they stand on the threshold of the Promised Land. The failure here is a failure of diligent application and full adherence to the entirety of God's revealed law.
* **"that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:"**: This is the dire consequence of disobedience. The phrase "all these curses" refers to the extensive list detailed in the subsequent verses of Deuteronomy 28, encompassing every sphere of life – personal, communal, agricultural, military, and spiritual. The curses are depicted as active agents that will "come upon" Israel, implying an imposition from an external, divine source, and then "overtake" them, suggesting an inescapable pursuit and engulfment. This imagery conveys the pervasive, comprehensive, and unavoidable nature of divine judgment for covenant infidelity.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 28:15 employs several powerful **literary devices** to convey its urgent message. The verse functions primarily as a **Conditional Statement**, setting up an "if-then" structure that makes the consequences directly dependent on Israel's actions ("if thou wilt not hearken... then all these curses shall come"). This highlights the covenant's reciprocal nature. The phrase "the voice of the LORD" is an example of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing a human characteristic (voice) to God, making His communication more relatable and immediate. Furthermore, the description of "all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee" uses **Personification**, giving the abstract concept of "curses" the ability to actively "come" and "overtake," creating a vivid and menacing image of inescapable judgment. This also borders on **Hyperbole**, as "all these curses" implies a totality of suffering, emphasizing the severity and comprehensiveness of the divine retribution.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 28:15 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God's covenant with Israel and the immutable principles of divine justice. It underscores that God is not only a God of boundless grace and promise but also a God of perfect righteousness who upholds His word, whether in blessing or in judgment. The verse reveals that true covenant relationship demands active, diligent obedience, and that willful disobedience carries severe, inescapable consequences. This principle extends beyond ancient Israel, illustrating that God's moral order is intrinsic to His creation, and disregarding His revealed will ultimately leads to brokenness and suffering, even if the specific forms of judgment differ under various dispensations. It teaches us about the seriousness of sin and the unwavering faithfulness of God to His own character and declarations.

* [Leviticus 26:14-39](/leviticus/26-14 "Leviticus 26:14-39 - Curses for Disobedience") - A parallel passage outlining similar curses for covenant unfaithfulness, demonstrating a consistent theme across the Pentateuch.
* [Jeremiah 7:23](/jeremiah/7-23 "Jeremiah 7:23 - The Call to Obedience") - Emphasizes the core requirement of the covenant: "But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you."
* [Galatians 3:10](/galatians/3-10 "Galatians 3:10 - Under the Curse of the Law") - A New Testament theological reflection on the consequence of failing to perfectly keep the law: "For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them."

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While believers today live under the New Covenant of grace, not the Old Covenant of Law for salvation, the principles embedded in Deuteronomy 28:15 remain profoundly relevant for spiritual formation and understanding God's character. This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God is holy, and His commands are not arbitrary but are for our good. Disobedience, even for those in Christ, still carries natural and spiritual consequences, impacting our fellowship with God, our peace, and our effectiveness in His kingdom. It calls us to cultivate a heart that genuinely "hearkens" to God's voice as revealed in His Word and through His Spirit, striving for obedience not out of fear of condemnation (for there is none for those in Christ), but out of love, gratitude, and a desire to honor Him. It challenges us to take God's instructions seriously, recognizing that a life aligned with His wisdom leads to true flourishing, while disregard for His ways inevitably leads to brokenness and a departure from His blessing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be failing to "hearken" to God's voice, not just hearing but actively obeying His commands?**
* **How does understanding the severity of disobedience in the Old Testament deepen my appreciation for the grace and forgiveness offered in Christ?**
* **What specific "commandments and statutes" from Scripture do I need to "observe to do" more diligently in my daily life?**
* **How can I cultivate a more responsive heart to God's revealed will, moving beyond mere intellectual assent to active obedience?**

### FAQ

**Does Deuteronomy 28:15 mean Christians are under a curse if they disobey God?**

Answer: No, not in the same way ancient Israel was under the Mosaic Covenant. For believers in Jesus Christ, the ultimate curse of the law has been borne by Christ Himself. [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse") states, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." Our salvation and standing with God are based on grace through faith in Jesus, not on our perfect obedience to the law. However, while we are not under the *condemnation* of the law's curse, disobedience still has consequences. Sin can grieve the Holy Spirit ([Ephesians 4:30](/ephesians/4-30 "Ephesians 4:30 - Do Not Grieve the Holy Spirit")), hinder our fellowship with God, lead to natural consequences (e.g., poor health from unhealthy choices, relational breakdown from sin), and may result in divine discipline from a loving Father ([Hebrews 12:5-11](/hebrews/12-5 "Hebrews 12:5-11 - God's Discipline")). So, while the *basis* of our relationship with God is different, the principle that actions have consequences and that God desires our obedience remains.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 28:15, with its stark warning of curses for disobedience, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant, with its conditional blessings and curses, perfectly demonstrated humanity's inability to perfectly "hearken" and "observe" all of God's commandments. As [Galatians 3:10](/galatians/3-10 "Galatians 3:10 - Under the Curse of the Law") declares, "Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them." Humanity stood condemned under this curse. However, Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God, perfectly fulfilled "all His commandments and His statutes," living a life of flawless obedience where all others failed. More profoundly, He became the substitute for our disobedience, willingly taking "all these curses" upon Himself on the cross. [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse") proclaims, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us." Through His atoning sacrifice, the curses that should have "come upon" and "overtaken" us were instead poured out on Him. Now, in the New Covenant, those who believe in Him are no longer under the condemnation of the law but are declared righteous by faith ([Romans 3:21-26](/romans/3-21 "Romans 3:21-26 - Righteousness Through Faith")). The Spirit of Christ empowers believers to live in new obedience, not to earn salvation, but as a response to the grace that has already delivered them from the curse, fulfilling the promise of a new heart that desires to "hearken" to God's voice ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - A New Heart and Spirit")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Malachi 2:2

If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay [it] to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay [it] to heart.

Deuteronomy 28:2

And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

Leviticus 26:14

¶ But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments;

Leviticus 26:46

These [are] the statutes and judgments and laws, which the LORD made between him and the children of Israel in mount Sinai by the hand of Moses.

Lamentations 2:17

The LORD hath done [that] which he had devised; he hath fulfilled his word that he had commanded in the days of old: he hath thrown down, and hath not pitied: and he hath caused [thine] enemy to rejoice over thee, he hath set up the horn of thine adversaries.

Deuteronomy 29:20

The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.

Romans 2:8

But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath,