Deuteronomy 28:18

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.

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}.

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

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.

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

Deuteronomy 28:18 is a stark declaration of the severe consequences of disobedience within the Mosaic Covenant, specifically detailing curses that would affect the core aspects of the Israelites' well-being and prosperity.

Context

This verse is part of a lengthy passage in Deuteronomy chapter 28, which meticulously outlines the blessings for obedience to God's commands (verses 1-14) and the curses for disobedience (verses 15-68). Moses delivers this final charge to the Israelites as they stand on the threshold of the Promised Land, emphasizing the conditional nature of their covenant with God. The curses described here, including the one in verse 18, serve as a solemn warning against breaking faith and turning away from the Lord. They illustrate that the covenant was not merely spiritual but had tangible, physical implications for their daily lives and national future.

Key Themes

  • Consequences of Disobedience: The primary theme is the direct and devastating impact of rebellion against God's law. This verse highlights that the curse would not be limited to abstract spiritual judgment but would manifest in tangible, material losses.
  • Comprehensive Judgment: The curse extends to every vital area of life: "the fruit of thy body" (children, offspring), "the fruit of thy land" (agricultural produce, crops), "the increase of thy kine" (cattle), and "the flocks of thy sheep" (livestock). This signifies a complete and pervasive economic and familial collapse, leaving no aspect untouched.
  • Divine Sovereignty and Justice: The passage underscores God's absolute authority to bless or curse based on the nation's faithfulness. It demonstrates His justice in upholding His covenant, ensuring that actions have consequences.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "cursed" (אָרוּר, 'arur) implies being separated from divine favor and subjected to divine judgment. It's the opposite of being blessed. The phrase "fruit of thy body" (פְּרִי בִטְנְךָ, p'ri vitnekha) specifically refers to one's offspring, emphasizing the personal and familial anguish that would accompany the curse. Similarly, "fruit of thy land" (פְּרִי אַדְמָתֶךָ, p'ri admatekha) denotes the produce of the soil, vital for an agrarian society. The inclusion of "kine" (cattle) and "sheep" (livestock) further stresses the comprehensive nature of the economic devastation, reflecting the core sources of wealth and sustenance in ancient Israel.

Practical Application

While believers today live under the New Covenant, not the Old, Deuteronomy 28:18 still offers profound lessons. It reminds us of:

  • The Seriousness of Sin: God takes disobedience seriously, and there are always consequences, even if they are not always material or immediate in the New Covenant.
  • God's Holiness: This verse underscores God's unchanging standard of holiness and His commitment to justice.
  • The Need for Grace: It highlights the desperate need for a redeemer. The New Testament teaches that Christ "redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us". Through faith in Him, believers are freed from the condemnation of the law and brought into blessing.
  • Spiritual Fruitfulness: For Christians, while not under the same material curses, the principle of spiritual fruitfulness (or lack thereof) can be seen. Obedience to God's will, empowered by the Holy Spirit, leads to spiritual blessings and fruit, while disobedience can hinder spiritual growth and peace. Jesus taught about abiding in Him to bear much fruit.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Leviticus 26:26 (4 votes)

    [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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

    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 (3 votes)

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