Deuteronomy 28:18

KJV

Cursed [shall be] the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

KJV (with Strong's)

Cursed {H779} shall be the fruit {H6529} of thy body {H990}, and the fruit {H6529} of thy land {H127}, the increase {H7698} of thy kine {H504}, and the flocks {H6251} of thy sheep {H6629}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"A curse on the fruit of your body, the fruit of your land and the young of your cattle and flocks.

Berean Standard Bible

The fruit of your womb will be cursed, as well as the produce of your land, the calves of your herds, and the lambs of your flocks.

American Standard Version

Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, the increase of thy cattle, and the young of thy flock.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 28:18 serves as a stark declaration of the comprehensive curses awaiting Israel should they deviate from the Mosaic Covenant, specifically targeting the foundational elements of their generational continuity, agricultural prosperity, and economic stability. This verse, deeply embedded within a broader passage detailing the dire consequences of covenant infidelity, emphasizes that divine judgment for rebellion would manifest not merely in abstract spiritual terms but in tangible, devastating losses across every vital sphere of their national and personal well-being, from their children to their crops and livestock.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 28:18 is strategically positioned within the climactic covenant renewal discourse delivered by Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just prior to their momentous entry into the Promised Land. This chapter functions as the solemn capstone of Moses' final address, meticulously delineating the blessings contingent upon obedience (verses 1-14) and the severe curses resulting from disobedience (verses 15-68). Verse 18 is a specific articulation within the extensive list of curses, immediately following more general declarations of being "cursed in the city, and cursed in the field" (verse 16) and "cursed in thy basket and in thy store" (verse 17). It then particularizes these general judgments to the most fundamental and indispensable aspects of Israelite life: human reproduction, agricultural yield, and animal husbandry. This specific focus sets the stage for the even more severe and detailed judgments that follow, including famine, disease, military defeat, and exile, underscoring the absolute gravity of covenant fidelity.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The entire book of Deuteronomy is structured as a covenant document, mirroring the established patterns of ancient Near Eastern suzerain-vassal treaties, where God functions as the suzerain and Israel as His vassal. Such treaties invariably included detailed stipulations, divine witnesses, and explicit blessings for adherence and curses for transgression. For ancient Israel, an agrarian society whose very existence and economic stability were inextricably linked to the fertility of the land and the health of their livestock, the curses enumerated in Deuteronomy 28, and particularly in verse 18, represented the most direct and terrifying threats to their survival. The "fruit of the body" was paramount for familial continuity, ensuring the fulfillment of the Abrahamic promise of numerous descendants. The "fruit of the land" and the "increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep" constituted the bedrock of their sustenance, wealth, and sacrificial system. Consequently, a curse upon these elements was not merely an inconvenience but a complete dismantling of their societal and economic infrastructure, inevitably leading to destitution, famine, and ultimately, national demise. This context profoundly underscores the vital importance of their unwavering obedience to the covenant stipulations as they prepared to inherit the land promised to their forefathers.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **conditional nature of the Mosaic Covenant**, emphasizing that Israel's prosperity, security, and continued presence in the land were directly contingent upon their faithful obedience to God's commands, a theme profoundly reiterated throughout [Deuteronomy 11](/deuteronomy/11 "Deuteronomy 11 - Blessings and Curses for Obedience"). Secondly, it underscores the **comprehensive scope of divine judgment**, demonstrating that God's justice is not confined to abstract spiritual consequences but extends to every tangible facet of human existence—personal, familial, and economic. The curse is portrayed as pervasive, affecting the most intimate and essential aspects of life. Thirdly, it reinforces the theme of **God's sovereignty and justice**, portraying Him as the ultimate source of both blessing and curse, the one who upholds His covenant with unwavering integrity. This serves as a stark warning, illustrating that rebellion against the divine covenant partner would inevitably lead to severe, tangible repercussions, contrasting sharply with the abundant life promised for those who diligently obey [the voice of the Lord their God](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1 - Blessings for Obedience").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cursed (Hebrew, _ʼârar'_):** Derived from the primitive root H779, this term signifies a state of being subjected to divine judgment and disfavor, effectively separated from God's benevolent presence and provision. It implies a solemn pronouncement of doom or a state of being under a ban, typically resulting in misfortune, barrenness, or destruction. In the covenantal context, to be "cursed" means to experience the negative consequences stipulated for breaking the covenant, representing the antithesis of being blessed and experiencing God's favor.
* **fruit (Hebrew, _pᵉrîy'_):** From H6529, this word refers to the literal or figurative produce or offspring. In the context of Deuteronomy 28:18, it refers specifically to the offspring of the body (children) and the produce of the land (crops). It denotes the outcome of fertility and productivity, which in ancient Israel was seen as a direct blessing from God. A curse upon "fruit" signifies barrenness, unproductivity, or the destruction of expected yield.
* **body (Hebrew, _beṭen'_):** From H990, this word primarily means "belly" but is frequently used to denote the womb, and by extension, the entire person or the inner being. In the phrase "fruit of thy body," it specifically refers to the womb as the source of offspring, highlighting the deeply personal and familial impact of the curse, targeting the very capacity for procreation and the continuation of the family line.
* **land (Hebrew, _ʼădâmâh'_):** From H127, this term refers to soil, earth, or ground, often with the connotation of its general redness. It signifies the arable land, the very ground from which sustenance is derived. In an agrarian society, the productivity of the "land" was synonymous with life, sustenance, and national prosperity. A curse upon the "fruit of thy land" therefore implies agricultural failure, famine, and economic devastation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Cursed [shall be] the fruit of thy body":** This clause pronounces a divine judgment specifically targeting the reproductive capacity and offspring of the Israelites. It implies a reversal of the blessing of fertility and multiplication, leading to barrenness, miscarriages, infant mortality, or the failure of children to thrive. This strikes a deeply personal and familial blow, undermining the continuation of their lineage and the fulfillment of God's promise to make them a numerous people.
* **"and the fruit of thy land":** This extends the curse to the agricultural realm, signifying that the very ground from which they drew their sustenance would cease to yield its expected produce. This would result in widespread crop failures, blight, drought, or pestilence, leading to severe famine and economic devastation, directly impacting their ability to feed themselves and thrive in the Promised Land.
* **"the increase of thy kine":** The curse further encompasses their large livestock, specifically cattle and oxen. "Increase" refers to the offspring or young of these animals, or their general proliferation. This implies that their herds would not reproduce successfully, or their young would perish, leading to a severe depletion of a primary source of wealth, labor (for farming), and food (meat and dairy products).
* **"and the flocks of thy sheep":** Finally, the curse includes their small livestock, namely sheep and goats. Similar to the kine, this signifies a failure in the reproduction and health of their flocks. Sheep were crucial for wool, meat, and sacrifice. A curse on these flocks would mean economic ruin, lack of essential resources, and an inability to offer the prescribed sacrifices, further disrupting their covenant relationship with God.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 28:18 effectively employs several literary devices to convey the gravity and comprehensive nature of the curse. **Enumeration** is prominently used, meticulously listing distinct categories of life (body, land, kine, sheep) to demonstrate the pervasive reach of the divine judgment. This detailed list also functions as a form of **Merism**, where by naming key, representative components, the entire spectrum of Israel's well-being and livelihood is implied to be under curse. The repetition of "fruit of thy..." (explicit for "body" and "land," implied in the subsequent clauses through the concept of "increase" and "flocks") creates a strong sense of **Parallelism**, linking the human, agricultural, and animal domains under a single, unified judgment. The cumulative effect of these specific, vital losses creates a powerful sense of **Hyperbole**, emphasizing the utter and complete devastation that would befall a disobedient nation, leaving no area of life untouched by the divine curse.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 28:18 profoundly illustrates the holistic nature of the covenant relationship between God and Israel, where spiritual obedience had direct, tangible consequences on their physical existence and prosperity. It underscores the biblical principle that sin is not merely an abstract spiritual transgression but carries real-world implications, impacting every sphere of life—from the most intimate family unit to the broader national economy. This verse serves as a stark reminder of God's justice and His unwavering commitment to upholding the terms of His covenant, demonstrating that His holiness demands a response of faithful obedience, and failure to do so results in a withdrawal of His blessings and the imposition of His righteous judgment. The comprehensive nature of the curse highlights that God's sovereignty extends over all creation, capable of both bestowing abundance and withholding it, ensuring that His covenant promises and warnings are fully realized.

* [Leviticus 26:16](/leviticus/26-16 "Leviticus 26:16 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Malachi 3:9](/malachi/3-9 "Malachi 3:9 - Robbing God")
* [Haggai 1:6](/haggai/1-6 "Haggai 1:6 - The Curse of Scarcity")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 28:18, while rooted in the Old Covenant, carries enduring spiritual principles for believers today. It powerfully reminds us that God is holy and just, and that sin, in its essence, carries consequences. While Christians are not under the same material curses of the Mosaic Law, this verse underscores the seriousness with which God views disobedience and the profound impact it can have on our lives. It prompts us to consider areas where we might be out of alignment with God's will, recognizing that spiritual disobedience can hinder our spiritual fruitfulness, disrupt our peace, diminish our experience of God's blessings, and lead to natural consequences. This passage should cultivate a deep reverence for God's character and a renewed commitment to living in faithful obedience, not out of fear of material curse, but out of profound love and gratitude for the immeasurable grace we have received in Christ. It also highlights the brokenness of a world under the curse of sin and the desperate need for redemption through Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the comprehensive nature of the curses in Deuteronomy 28 deepen your appreciation for God's holiness and justice?**
* **In what ways might spiritual disobedience hinder "fruitfulness" in a Christian's life today, even if not in the same material terms as ancient Israel?**
* **How does the severity of the curses in the Old Covenant highlight our desperate need for God's grace and the redemptive work of Christ?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean that Christians today will experience material curses if they disobey God?**

Answer: No, Christians are not under the Mosaic Law's system of blessings and curses for material prosperity or adversity in the same way ancient Israel was. The New Covenant, established through Christ's atoning work, operates on different principles. While God is still sovereign and sin still has consequences, our relationship with Him is based on grace through faith in Jesus, not on perfect adherence to the Law for material blessings. The New Testament teaches that [Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse"), having become a curse for us. Therefore, believers are freed from the condemnation and specific material curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28. However, disobedience can still lead to spiritual consequences, a loss of peace, broken fellowship with God, and natural consequences of poor choices, but not the specific covenant curses of the Old Testament.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 28:18, with its stark pronouncement of comprehensive curses for disobedience, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The curse upon the "fruit of thy body," "fruit of thy land," and all forms of prosperity vividly portrays the totality of the condemnation that humanity, under the weight of sin, justly deserved. Every aspect of life, from our very being to our sustenance and livelihood, stood under the shadow of God's righteous judgment. However, the New Testament reveals that Jesus Christ, the perfect Son of God, willingly became the ultimate "curse" for humanity. As [2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us") declares, "For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him." Furthermore, [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse") explicitly states, "Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree." By His sacrificial death on the cross, Jesus bore the full weight of the curse that Deuteronomy 28:18 describes, absorbing the divine wrath and judgment due to our disobedience. Through faith in Him, believers are liberated from the condemnation of the law and brought into a new covenant of grace, where spiritual blessings abound, and the promise of true "fruitfulness" is realized through abiding in Him, as Jesus teaches in [John 15:5](/john/15-5 "John 15:5 - Abiding in Christ for Fruitfulness"). Thus, what was a terrifying pronouncement of judgment in the Old Covenant becomes a powerful testament to the boundless grace and redemptive power of Christ in the New.

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

Leviticus 26:26

[And] when I have broken the staff of your bread, ten women shall bake your bread in one oven, and they shall deliver [you] your bread again by weight: and ye shall eat, and not be satisfied.

Leviticus 26:19

And I will break the pride of your power; and I will make your heaven as iron, and your earth as brass:

Leviticus 26:20

And your strength shall be spent in vain: for your land shall not yield her increase, neither shall the trees of the land yield their fruits.

Habakkuk 3:17

Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither [shall] fruit [be] in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and [there shall be] no herd in the stalls:

Deuteronomy 28:4

Blessed [shall be] the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

Deuteronomy 5:9

Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God [am] a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth [generation] of them that hate me,

Job 18:16

His roots shall be dried up beneath, and above shall his branch be cut off.