Deuteronomy 28:19

Cursed [shalt] thou [be] when thou comest in, and cursed [shalt] thou [be] when thou goest out.

Cursed {H779} shalt thou be when thou comest in {H935}, and cursed {H779} shalt thou be when thou goest out {H3318}.

"A curse on you when you come in, and a curse on you when you go out.

You will be cursed when you come in and cursed when you go out.

Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

Commentary

Commentary on Deuteronomy 28:19 (KJV)

Deuteronomy 28:19 delivers a stark warning within the extensive list of curses outlined in the covenant God made with the nation of Israel. This verse emphasizes the pervasive and inescapable nature of the consequences for disobedience.

Context

The book of Deuteronomy records Moses' final speeches to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land. Chapter 28 is a pivotal section, detailing the blessings that would follow obedience to God's covenant laws (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) and the severe curses that would result from disobedience and rebellion (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Verse 19 is part of this latter, ominous section, highlighting the comprehensive nature of divine judgment.

Key Themes

  • Comprehensive Judgment: The phrase "when thou comest in, and ... when thou goest out" is an idiom signifying the totality of one's life. It means that every activity, every journey, every daily routine, and every aspect of existence would be under the curse. There would be no escape or relief from its effects. This contrasts directly with the blessing counterpart found in Deuteronomy 28:6.
  • Covenant Consequences: This verse underscores the seriousness of the Mosaic Covenant. God's promises were conditional, and a failure to uphold their end of the agreement would lead to severe, divinely ordained repercussions.
  • Divine Authority: It demonstrates God's absolute authority to decree and enforce consequences for sin and disobedience, showing that His word carries ultimate weight and power.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word translated "cursed" is 'arar (אָרַר), which denotes a binding declaration of condemnation or ill-will, often accompanied by negative consequences. It is a powerful word indicating a solemn pronouncement of judgment from God. The idiom "when thou comest in, and when thou goest out" (בְּבֹאֲךָ וּבְצֵאתֶךָ, b’vo’akha u’v’tze’tekha) is a common biblical expression emphasizing the full scope of one's life, from arrival to departure, from the beginning of an endeavor to its end, encompassing all daily activities and interactions.

Practical Application

While the Mosaic Covenant was specifically given to ancient Israel, the principles within Deuteronomy 28 resonate with timeless truths about God's character and the consequences of human choices:

  1. Seriousness of Disobedience: This verse serves as a sober reminder that disobedience to God's commands has serious, far-reaching consequences. God is not indifferent to sin.
  2. God's Justice: It highlights God's justice, showing that He is faithful to His word, both in blessing and in judgment.
  3. Need for Redemption: For believers today, this passage points to the profound significance of Christ's redemption from the curse of the law. Through faith in Jesus, we are no longer under the condemnation of the law's curses but are blessed with spiritual blessings in Christ (Ephesians 1:3).
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Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 28:6

    Blessed [shalt] thou [be] when thou comest in, and blessed [shalt] thou [be] when thou goest out.

  • 2 Chronicles 15:5

    And in those times [there was] no peace to him that went out, nor to him that came in, but great vexations [were] upon all the inhabitants of the countries.

  • Judges 5:6

    ¶ In the days of Shamgar the son of Anath, in the days of Jael, the highways were unoccupied, and the travellers walked through byways.

  • Judges 5:7

    [The inhabitants of] the villages ceased, they ceased in Israel, until that I Deborah arose, that I arose a mother in Israel.