Deuteronomy 28:16

KJV

Cursed [shalt] thou [be] in the city, and cursed [shalt] thou [be] in the field.

KJV (with Strong's)

Cursed {H779} shalt thou be in the city {H5892}, and cursed {H779} shalt thou be in the field {H7704}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"A curse on you in the city, and a curse on you in the countryside.

Berean Standard Bible

You will be cursed in the city and cursed in the country.

American Standard Version

Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 28:16 delivers a stark warning, declaring that disobedience to God's covenant would result in a pervasive curse affecting every sphere of Israelite life. This verse is part of a comprehensive list of consequences outlined by Moses, emphasizing the inescapable nature of divine judgment when the nation turned away from the Lord. It underscores the severity of covenant infidelity and the totality of the resulting divine disfavor, impacting both their urban and agricultural existence.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 28:16 is situated within Moses' final address to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. The book of Deuteronomy itself is structured as a covenant renewal document, echoing the ancient Near Eastern suzerain-vassal treaties. Chapter 28 forms the climactic section of this covenant, presenting a detailed exposition of blessings for obedience (verses 1-14) and an extensive, terrifying list of curses for disobedience (verses 15-68). Verse 16 specifically initiates the enumeration of these curses, setting the tone for the severe consequences that follow. It stands in direct antithesis to the blessings promised in [Deuteronomy 28:3](/deuteronomy/28-3 "Deuteronomy 28:3 - Blessings in City and Field"), which states, "Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field." This immediate juxtaposition highlights the stark choice presented to Israel: life and prosperity through obedience, or death and desolation through rebellion.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the plains of Moab, around 1406 BC, as the generation that experienced the wilderness wanderings is about to cross the Jordan River into Canaan. Moses, as God's mediator, is reiterating the Mosaic Covenant established at Sinai, adapting it for a new generation poised to inherit the land. The structure of blessings and curses was a common feature of ancient Near Eastern treaties, where a suzerain (superior king) would outline the terms of loyalty and the repercussions for disloyalty to a vassal (subordinate kingdom). For Israel, Yahweh was the divine Suzerain, and they were His chosen vassal. The curses, therefore, were not arbitrary punishments but the stipulated legal and spiritual consequences of breaking a solemn covenant with a holy God. The emphasis on "city" and "field" reflects the two primary spheres of Israelite life: urban centers representing commerce, social order, and community, and agricultural fields representing sustenance, labor, and the very source of their livelihood from the land God promised.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes significantly to several key themes woven throughout Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the theme of **Covenant Fidelity and its Consequences**. The blessings and curses are the direct outcomes of Israel's faithfulness or unfaithfulness to the covenant stipulations. Secondly, it highlights **God's Justice and Holiness**. God's character demands that sin and rebellion be met with judgment; His holiness cannot tolerate persistent disobedience, even from His chosen people. This is a recurring motif, seen in events like the judgment on the generation in the wilderness ([Numbers 14](/numbers/14 "Numbers 14 - Rebellion and Judgment")) and the eventual exiles of both Israel and Judah ([2 Kings 17](/2_kings/17 "2 Kings 17 - Fall of Israel") and [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - Fall of Judah")). Thirdly, the verse emphasizes the **Pervasiveness of God's Judgment**. The "city" and "field" represent the totality of existence, signifying that no aspect of life, public or private, economic or domestic, would be untouched by the curse of disobedience. This comprehensive nature of judgment serves as a profound warning, designed to instill a deep reverence for God's commands and a strong motivation for obedience.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cursed (Hebrew, _’arar'_):** The Hebrew word אָרַר (_’arar_) denotes a strong, pervasive, and often irreversible pronouncement of divine disfavor, leading to a state of being cut off from blessing and subjected to dire consequences. Unlike other words for curse (e.g., _qālal_, which can mean to treat lightly or despise), _’arar_ implies a binding, comprehensive, and often public declaration of judgment. It signifies a complete reversal of fortune where all areas of life are affected. This curse is frequently associated with covenant violations and the withdrawal of God's protective hand, leading to barrenness, defeat, and desolation. Its repetition in this verse ("cursed shalt thou be... cursed shalt thou be") intensifies the sense of absolute and inescapable judgment, indicating that every corner of their existence would feel the weight of their unfaithfulness.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Cursed shalt thou be in the city":** This clause refers to the urban sphere of life, encompassing all aspects of community, commerce, and public interaction. If Israel disobeyed, their city life would be marked by desolation, lack of security, failed trade, social decay, and vulnerability to enemies. Instead of prosperity and peace within their fortified walls, they would experience distress and defeat, their gatherings turning to mourning, and their public spaces becoming places of shame or ruin. This curse would impact their ability to thrive as a society and nation.
* **"and cursed shalt thou be in the field":** This second clause addresses the agricultural and rural dimensions of Israelite existence. The land, which was God's promised gift and the source of their sustenance, would become unproductive and barren if they rebelled. Crop failures, livestock diseases, and general agricultural blight would result, leading to famine and economic hardship. This curse would directly impact their ability to feed themselves, undermining their very survival and demonstrating God's withdrawal of the blessings of the land. The pairing of "city" and "field" creates a comprehensive picture, indicating that no part of their lives, from their most public engagements to their most private labors, would escape the pervasive impact of divine judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 28:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message of pervasive judgment. The most prominent is **Repetition**, specifically the anaphora of "cursed shalt thou be." This insistent repetition emphasizes the absolute and inescapable nature of the curse, reinforcing that divine disfavor would be a constant, undeniable reality for the disobedient. Furthermore, the verse utilizes **Merism**, a rhetorical device where two contrasting or complementary parts represent a whole. "In the city" and "in the field" together encompass all spheres of human activity and existence, signifying that the curse would be universal and comprehensive, affecting every aspect of their lives from their public, urban interactions to their private, agricultural endeavors. This creates a powerful sense of totality. Finally, the verse implicitly uses **Antithesis** by standing in direct opposition to the blessings promised in [Deuteronomy 28:3](/deuteronomy/28-3 "Deuteronomy 28:3 - Blessings in City and Field"), which states, "Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field." This stark contrast highlights the two divergent paths and their diametrically opposed outcomes, underscoring the gravity of the choice presented to Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 28:16 stands as a stark testament to the seriousness of covenant relationship with God and the profound consequences of breaking faith. It reveals a God who is not only merciful and gracious but also just and holy, one who upholds His covenant terms with unwavering integrity. The pervasive nature of the curse—affecting "city" and "field"—underscores that sin is not a compartmentalized issue but has far-reaching implications, impacting every dimension of human existence and the created order itself. This principle resonates throughout biblical theology, demonstrating that rebellion against the Creator inevitably leads to disorder, suffering, and a reversal of the divine order of blessing. The verse serves as a foundational warning, illustrating the dire state from which humanity, through sin, desperately needs redemption.

* [Leviticus 26:14-20](/leviticus/26-14 "Leviticus 26:14-20 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Jeremiah 17:5-6](/jeremiah/17-5 "Jeremiah 17:5-6 - The Curse on Trusting in Man")
* [Malachi 2:2](/malachi/2-2 "Malachi 2:2 - Curses for Disobedience of Priests")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 28:16, while part of the Mosaic Covenant, offers timeless principles for reflection and application in the life of faith today. It serves as a powerful reminder that our actions, particularly our obedience or disobedience to God's revealed will, carry significant weight and consequences. While New Testament believers are not under the specific curses of the Mosaic Law, the underlying truth remains: sin is serious, and it disrupts the flourishing life God intends for us. Disobedience, whether individual or corporate, can lead to spiritual barrenness, relational breakdown, and a sense of being cut off from God's favor and blessing. This verse challenges us to examine areas of our lives where we might be neglecting God's commands, urging us toward a posture of humble submission and fervent desire to walk in His ways. It cultivates a healthy fear of the Lord, not a terror of arbitrary punishment, but a profound reverence for His holiness and a recognition that His ways are always for our ultimate good and flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life, both "city" (public/social) and "field" (private/personal), do I most need to align my will with God's?**
* **How does the pervasive nature of this curse highlight the comprehensive reach of sin in human experience?**
* **What does this verse teach me about the character of God – His justice, holiness, and commitment to His covenant?**
* **How does understanding the severity of this curse deepen my appreciation for the redemption offered in Christ?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of "city" and "field" in this verse?**

Answer: The phrases "in the city" and "in the field" are a literary device known as **merism**, where two contrasting or complementary parts are used to represent a whole. "City" symbolizes urban life, commerce, social interaction, and public security. "Field" represents agricultural life, sustenance, labor, and the provision derived from the land. Together, they signify the totality of existence. Therefore, the curse being "in the city" and "in the field" means that every single aspect and sphere of life—public, private, economic, social, and personal—would be affected by God's judgment if Israel disobeyed the covenant. There would be no escape or untouched area from the pervasive consequences of their rebellion, contrasting sharply with the comprehensive blessings promised in [Deuteronomy 28:3](/deuteronomy/28-3 "Deuteronomy 28:3 - Blessings in City and Field").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 28:16, with its chilling pronouncement of pervasive curse, powerfully sets the stage for understanding the profound necessity and glory of Christ's redemptive work. The comprehensive nature of the curse—affecting "city" and "field," every aspect of life—underscores the totality of humanity's fallen condition under the weight of sin and the Law's demands. This verse paints a vivid picture of the spiritual bondage and desolation from which only a divine deliverer could rescue us. The good news of the Gospel is that Jesus Christ, the spotless [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), fully entered into this cursed state on our behalf. As [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law") declares, "Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us—for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree.'" He bore the full, pervasive weight of the curse that Deuteronomy 28:16 describes, enduring the ultimate separation from God on the cross. Through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, He absorbed the divine judgment that was due to us, thereby breaking the power of the curse and opening the way for us to receive the blessings of Abraham, which are spiritual blessings in Christ Jesus ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Blessed with Every Spiritual Blessing")). Thus, Deuteronomy 28:16, while a terrifying warning, ultimately serves as a stark backdrop against which the boundless grace and complete redemption found in our [Lord Jesus Christ](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ Jesus") shine all the more brightly.

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 3:9

Ye [are] cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, [even] this whole nation.

Malachi 3:12

And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

Joel 2:3

A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land [is] as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them.

Jeremiah 44:22

So that the LORD could no longer bear, because of the evil of your doings, [and] because of the abominations which ye have committed; therefore is your land a desolation, and an astonishment, and a curse, without an inhabitant, as at this day.

Joel 1:8

¶ Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth.

Joel 1:18

How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate.

Joel 1:4

That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten.