Deuteronomy 28:21

The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it.

The LORD {H3068} shall make the pestilence {H1698} cleave {H1692} unto thee, until he have consumed {H3615} thee from off the land {H127}, whither thou goest {H935} to possess {H3423} it.

"ADONAI will bring on you a plague that will stay with you until he has exterminated you from the land you are entering in order to take possession of it.

The LORD will make the plague cling to you until He has exterminated you from the land that you are entering to possess.

Jehovah will make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest in to possess it.

Commentary

Context

Deuteronomy 28 is a pivotal chapter within the book of Deuteronomy, delivered by Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab just before they entered the Promised Land. This chapter famously outlines the comprehensive list of blessings that would follow obedience to God's covenant and, conversely, the severe curses that would result from disobedience. Verse 21 falls within the latter section, specifically detailing one of the dire consequences of Israel's failure to uphold their covenantal responsibilities. This passage served as a solemn warning, emphasizing the direct correlation between their actions and God's response.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Sovereignty: The phrase "The LORD shall make" underscores God's active role in bringing about these consequences. It is not merely a natural outcome but a direct act of divine judgment. This highlights God's ultimate sovereignty over the nation's destiny.
  • The Severity of Disobedience: "Pestilence" refers to widespread disease and plagues, a devastating form of judgment that would relentlessly "cleave" (stick) to the people. This illustrates the intense and inescapable nature of the curses for covenant unfaithfulness. The idea of pestilence as a divine instrument of judgment appears throughout the Old Testament, notably in the plagues on Egypt.
  • Loss of the Promised Land: The ultimate threat for Israel was to be "consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it." The land was central to their identity and covenant relationship with God. Losing it meant losing their unique status and inheritance. The ultimate consequence of persistent disobedience was expulsion from the Promised Land, a fate that indeed befell Israel centuries later with the Babylonian exile.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "pestilence" is dever (ื“ึถึผื‘ึถืจ), which broadly refers to plague, epidemic, or murrain. It is frequently used in the Old Testament to describe a divinely sent disease as a form of judgment. The verb "cleave" is dabaq (ื“ึธึผื‘ึทืง), meaning to cling, stick, or be joined closely. This emphasizes the persistent and inescapable nature of the plague, indicating it would relentlessly pursue them.

Related Scriptures

This verse is part of the extensive list of curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28:15-68, which stands in stark contrast to the blessings promised for obedience in Deuteronomy 28:1-14. The warning of being consumed from the land is echoed elsewhere, such as in Deuteronomy 4:26. The concept of pestilence as a tool of divine judgment is also seen in prophecies against Judah, for example, in Jeremiah 24:10.

Practical Application

While believers today live under the New Covenant of grace, the principles embedded in Deuteronomy 28:21 remain relevant. It highlights that actions have consequences and that God takes sin seriously. Disobedience, even if not met with immediate physical plagues in the same way, can lead to spiritual barrenness, broken relationships, and a lack of divine blessing in our lives. This verse serves as a sober reminder of the importance of faithfulness, seeking God's will, and living in obedience to His commands, recognizing His sovereignty and the reality of His justice.

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Cross-References

  • Leviticus 26:25

    And I will bring a sword upon you, that shall avenge the quarrel of [my] covenant: and when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy.

  • Jeremiah 24:10

    And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence, among them, till they be consumed from off the land that I gave unto them and to their fathers.

  • Numbers 14:12

    I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them, and will make of thee a greater nation and mightier than they.

  • Jeremiah 15:2

    And it shall come to pass, if they say unto thee, Whither shall we go forth? then thou shalt tell them, Thus saith the LORD; Such as [are] for death, to death; and such as [are] for the sword, to the sword; and such as [are] for the famine, to the famine; and such as [are] for the captivity, to the captivity.

  • Exodus 5:3

    ยถ And they said, The God of the Hebrews hath met with us: let us go, we pray thee, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto the LORD our God; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.

  • Jeremiah 21:6

    And I will smite the inhabitants of this city, both man and beast: they shall die of a great pestilence.

  • Jeremiah 21:7

    And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.