Deuteronomy 28:20

KJV

The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.

KJV (with Strong's)

The LORD {H3068} shall send {H7971} upon thee cursing {H3994}, vexation {H4103}, and rebuke {H4045}, in all that thou settest {H4916} thine hand {H3027} unto for to do {H6213}, until thou be destroyed {H8045}, and until thou perish {H6} quickly {H4118}; because {H6440} of the wickedness {H7455} of thy doings {H4611}, whereby thou hast forsaken {H5800} me.

Complete Jewish Bible

"ADONAI will send on you curses, disasters and frustration in everything you set out to do, until you are destroyed and quickly perish, because of your evil actions in abandoning me.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD will send curses upon you, confusion and reproof in all to which you put your hand, until you are destroyed and quickly perish because of the wickedness you have committed in forsaking Him.

American Standard Version

Jehovah will send upon thee cursing, discomfiture, and rebuke, in all that thou puttest thy hand unto to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the evil of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 28:20 stands as a severe warning within the Mosaic Covenant, articulating the comprehensive and destructive consequences that would befall Israel for their disobedience and spiritual apostasy. It describes a divine judgment encompassing general misfortune, internal chaos, and the frustration of all endeavors, leading to swift destruction, directly attributed to their wickedness and abandonment of the Lord. This verse underscores the gravity of covenant faithfulness and the active nature of God's justice in response to rebellion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy chapter 28 forms the climactic conclusion to Moses' second address to Israel, delivered on the plains of Moab just before their entry into the Promised Land. It meticulously lays out the conditional nature of the Mosaic Covenant, presenting a stark dichotomy: verses 1-14 detail the abundant blessings promised for obedience, while verses 15-68 enumerate the terrifying curses for disobedience. Verse 20 is situated firmly within the latter section, specifically among the initial pronouncements of general curses that would affect every aspect of life, serving as a foundational statement of the comprehensive nature of divine displeasure before more specific calamities are listed. This structural placement emphasizes the immediate and pervasive impact of forsaking the covenant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Deuteronomy itself is framed as a covenant renewal document, reminding a new generation of Israelites of the terms established at Mount Sinai. As they stood on the threshold of Canaan, a land flowing with milk and honey, this chapter served as a solemn charge, impressing upon them that their continued possession and prosperity in the land were entirely contingent upon their loyalty to Yahweh. The concept of covenant, involving reciprocal obligations and consequences, was well-understood in the ancient Near East, often paralleling suzerainty treaties between a great king and his vassals. The curses outlined here, including famine, disease, defeat in battle, and exile, were common treaty curses of the time, but here they are uniquely attributed to the sovereign God of Israel, reflecting His exclusive claim over His people and His absolute authority.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 28:20 contributes significantly to several overarching themes within the book of Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it powerfully reinforces the theme of **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, demonstrating that God is not a passive observer but an active agent who intervenes in human history to uphold His covenant and execute justice. The phrase "The LORD shall send upon thee" highlights His direct involvement. Secondly, it underscores the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness**, making it clear that the relationship between God and Israel was conditional, demanding exclusive devotion. The ultimate cause for the curses, "whereby thou hast forsaken me," emphasizes that the root of their downfall was spiritual apostasy, a betrayal of the unique bond established at Sinai. This theme is echoed throughout the prophetic books, where Israel's unfaithfulness often leads to national calamity, as seen in the warnings of [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/2 "Jeremiah 2 - Israel's Apostasy") and the lamentations of [Lamentations](/lamentations/1 "Lamentations 1 - Jerusalem's Desolation"). Finally, it foreshadows the recurring cycle of **Blessing and Curse** that characterizes Israel's history, from the judges to the kings, culminating in the Babylonian exile, a direct fulfillment of these very curses, as described in [2 Kings 25](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cursing (Hebrew, _me'erah'_):** This term denotes a state of being under a divine ban or malediction, resulting in a pervasive sense of misfortune, failure, and spiritual alienation. It implies a reversal of blessing, where all aspects of life become unproductive and fraught with adversity. Unlike a specific punishment, _me'erah_ describes a general condition of divine disfavor that permeates existence.
* **Vexation (Hebrew, _mehumah'_):** This word signifies confusion, panic, dismay, and tumult. It describes an internal and external state of disorder, chaos, and disorientation. When God sends _mehumah_, it means that the people's plans will be thwarted by internal strife, irrational decisions, and a pervasive sense of anxiety and bewilderment, leading to unproductive efforts and a loss of direction. It suggests a mental and emotional distress that undermines all stability.
* **Rebuke (Hebrew, _mig'eret'_):** This term refers to a strong divine warning, a blight, or a diminishing force. It often implies a supernatural frustration of efforts, a decay, or a consumption of resources that cannot be explained by natural means. It is a divine opposition that actively undermines prosperity, causing crops to fail, wealth to dwindle, and endeavors to be fruitless, despite human exertion. It is God's active hand working against their success.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke":** This opening clause unequivocally states the divine origin of the impending calamities. It is not merely natural consequences or bad luck, but Yahweh Himself, the covenant God, who actively dispatches these forms of judgment. The triad of "cursing, vexation, and rebuke" covers a comprehensive spectrum of misfortune, from general divine disfavor to internal chaos and the frustration of all efforts.
* **"in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do":** This phrase emphasizes the pervasive and total nature of the judgment. Every single endeavor, every project, every area of life – whether agricultural, economic, military, or personal – would be affected. There would be no escape or sphere of life untouched by the divine opposition, leading to universal failure and futility.
* **"until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly":** These clauses highlight the ultimate and swift outcome of such comprehensive judgment. The "cursing, vexation, and rebuke" are not temporary inconveniences but lead inevitably to total destruction and rapid demise. This speaks to the severity of God's wrath and the finality of the consequences for persistent disobedience, implying both national ruin and individual suffering.
* **"because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me":** This concluding phrase reveals the ultimate cause of the divine judgment. The "wickedness of thy doings" refers to their sinful actions, but the deeper, underlying issue is "whereby thou hast forsaken me." This signifies a deliberate and profound spiritual rebellion, a turning away from the covenant relationship with God Himself. It underscores that the curses are not arbitrary but a just response to a broken covenant and a betrayed relationship, where Israel abandoned their divine Protector and Provider.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 28:20 powerfully employs several literary devices to convey its urgent message. **Repetition** is evident in the repeated emphasis on the comprehensiveness of the curses ("in all that thou settest thine hand unto") and the finality of the outcome ("until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly"). This rhetorical device serves to underscore the inescapable and devastating nature of the judgment. The use of a **Triad** ("cursing, vexation, and rebuke") is a common biblical literary technique to convey totality and completeness, suggesting that divine judgment would encompass every dimension of their existence – spiritual, psychological, and practical. Furthermore, the verse employs **Cause and Effect**, clearly articulating that the "wickedness of thy doings" and the act of "forsaking me" are the direct cause, and the "cursing, vexation, and rebuke" leading to destruction are the inevitable effects. This highlights the moral order of God's universe and the direct correlation between obedience/disobedience and blessing/curse within the covenant framework. Finally, the language is highly **Emotive and Hyperbolic**, designed to evoke fear and urgency, painting a vivid picture of utter ruin to impress upon the people the gravity of their covenant obligations.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 28:20 provides a profound theological insight into the character of God and the nature of His covenant. It reveals a God who is both holy and just, one who takes His covenant seriously and holds His people accountable for their faithfulness. The severity of the curses underscores that God's love is not sentimental but righteous, demanding exclusive devotion and obedience. This verse also highlights the foundational biblical principle that sin, particularly the sin of apostasy or forsaking God, inevitably leads to destructive consequences, both individually and corporately. It is a stark reminder that true prosperity and well-being are inextricably linked to a right relationship with the Creator, and that turning away from Him invites divine opposition. While the specific terms of the Mosaic Covenant no longer apply to believers under the New Covenant, the underlying principle of God's justice and the negative spiritual and often tangible consequences of rebellion against His will remain timeless.

* [Leviticus 26:14-17](/leviticus/26-14 "Leviticus 26:14-17 - Warnings of Disobedience")
* [Joshua 23:15-16](/joshua/23-15 "Joshua 23:15-16 - Joshua's Farewell Warning")
* [Isaiah 3:11](/isaiah/3-11 "Isaiah 3:11 - Woe to the Wicked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 28:20 serves as a powerful and sobering reminder that our relationship with God is paramount and has profound implications for every aspect of our lives. While we live under the New Covenant of grace, the principle that God is holy and that turning away from Him has serious consequences remains eternally true. This verse challenges us to examine the depth of our commitment to Christ: Are we truly walking in obedience to His revealed will, or are there areas where we have "forsaken" Him through our actions, priorities, or affections? It calls us to a posture of humility and repentance, recognizing that true flourishing comes from abiding in Him. For the believer, this isn't about fear of curses but about understanding the spiritual distress and diminished fruitfulness that can result from straying from the path of righteousness. It encourages us to cultivate a heart of devotion, to seek His wisdom in "all that thou settest thine hand unto," and to trust that His blessings flow from a life lived in faithful communion with Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be inadvertently "forsaking" the Lord through my priorities or actions?**
* **How does the concept of God's active "rebuke" or "vexation" challenge my understanding of His justice and sovereignty today?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure that "all that I set my hand unto" is done in alignment with God's will and for His glory?**

### FAQ

**Does Deuteronomy 28:20 apply directly to Christians today?**

Answer: While the specific covenant curses of Deuteronomy 28 were part of the Mosaic Law given to ancient Israel, their direct application to Christians today is understood through the lens of the New Covenant. Christians are not under the Law but under grace ([Romans 6:14](/romans/6-14 "Romans 6:14 - Not Under Law, But Under Grace")), and Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems from the Curse")). However, the underlying principles of God's character—His holiness, justice, and the consequences of sin—remain eternally true. While believers do not face the same covenant curses, a life of persistent disobedience and "forsaking" God can still lead to spiritual barrenness, a lack of peace, and a diminished experience of God's blessing, even though their salvation is secure. It serves as a warning against spiritual apathy and a reminder that walking in alignment with God's will brings life and peace ([Romans 8:6](/romans/8-6 "Romans 8:6 - Mind Set on the Spirit is Life and Peace")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 28:20, with its chilling pronouncement of comprehensive cursing and destruction for disobedience, finds its ultimate and profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The terrifying reality of God's righteous wrath against sin, so vividly portrayed in this verse, underscores the desperate need for a Savior. Humanity, represented by Israel's failure, consistently "forsakes" God through its wickedness, thereby incurring the full weight of divine judgment. However, the New Testament reveals that Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, willingly became the recipient of this very curse. [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems from the Curse") declares, "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: 'Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole.'" On the cross, Jesus bore the "cursing, vexation, and rebuke" that humanity deserved, absorbing the full measure of God's wrath so that those who believe in Him might be set free from condemnation and receive blessing. His sacrifice transforms the trajectory from destruction to eternal life, from perishing quickly to living abundantly ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - The Abundant Life")). Through Christ, the comprehensive ruin promised in Deuteronomy 28:20 is replaced by comprehensive redemption and reconciliation with God, offering a new covenant of grace where forgiveness and spiritual flourishing are freely given to all who trust in Him ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - A Superior Covenant")).

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.

Isaiah 66:15

¶ For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.

Isaiah 51:20

Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God.

Deuteronomy 4:26

I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong [your] days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.

John 3:36

He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

Isaiah 30:17

One thousand [shall flee] at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.

Isaiah 28:19

From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only [to] understand the report.