Deuteronomy 28:3

KJV

Blessed [shalt] thou [be] in the city, and blessed [shalt] thou [be] in the field.

KJV (with Strong's)

Blessed {H1288} shalt thou be in the city {H5892}, and blessed {H1288} shalt thou be in the field {H7704}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"A blessing on you in the city, and a blessing on you in the countryside.

Berean Standard Bible

You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.

American Standard Version

Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 28:3 encapsulates a foundational promise within the covenant renewal discourse, assuring the Israelites of comprehensive divine favor contingent upon their obedience. This verse declares that God's blessing would extend universally, encompassing both their urban dwelling and their agricultural endeavors, thereby signifying a holistic flourishing in every sphere of their national and personal existence. It serves as a concise encapsulation of the pervasive well-being and prosperity that God intended for His faithful people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 28:3 is situated at the very beginning of a pivotal chapter in Moses' final address to Israel on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. This chapter, often referred to as the "blessings and curses" chapter, forms the climax of Moses' reiteration of the Mosaic Covenant. Verses 1-14 detail the blessings promised for obedience, while verses 15-68 delineate the severe curses for disobedience. Verse 3 specifically expands upon the general promise of blessing introduced in [Deuteronomy 28:1-2](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1-2 - Conditions for Blessing"), which states that if Israel "diligently hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments," then "all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee." The specific mention of "city" and "field" immediately following this general declaration highlights the pervasive and all-encompassing nature of God's promised favor, contrasting sharply with the widespread desolation threatened by the curses found later in [Deuteronomy 28:16-19](/deuteronomy/28-16 "Deuteronomy 28:16-19 - Curses in City and Field").

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** This discourse takes place as the Israelites stand on the threshold of Canaan, poised to transition from nomadic wilderness life to settled agricultural and urban existence. For an ancient Near Eastern people, the concepts of "city" and "field" represented the entirety of their socio-economic and geographical reality. The "city" symbolized community, commerce, defense, and settled life, while the "field" represented agriculture, sustenance, livelihood, and the vast rural environment. The prosperity of both was paramount for national survival and flourishing. Furthermore, the structure of Deuteronomy, particularly this chapter, mirrors the ancient Near Eastern suzerain-vassal treaties, where a great king (Suzerain, Yahweh) outlines the terms of the covenant with his vassal people (Israel), including blessings for loyalty and curses for rebellion. This cultural framework underscored the conditional nature of the blessings promised in [Deuteronomy 28:3](/deuteronomy/28-3 "Deuteronomy 28:3 - Blessing in City and Field").

* **Key Themes:** The primary themes interwoven in Deuteronomy 28:3 are **Holistic Blessing**, **Covenantal Conditionality**, and **Divine Presence and Favor**. The phrase "in the city, and in the field" is a classic example of **merism**, a literary device where two contrasting parts represent the whole, underscoring that God's blessing would be comprehensive, touching every aspect of Israelite life—public and private, economic and domestic, urban and rural. This holistic blessing is not automatic but is explicitly tied to Israel's obedience to the Mosaic Covenant, as emphasized in [Deuteronomy 28:1](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1 - Obedience and Blessing"). The verse powerfully conveys God's active desire to bestow favor and well-being upon His people, demonstrating His commitment to their flourishing when they walk in His ways. This divine favor is not merely material but encompasses peace, security, and success, reflecting God's active presence among His faithful. The promise here sets the stage for understanding the profound consequences of their choices, as seen in the stark contrast with the curses that begin in [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - The Beginning of Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Blessed (Hebrew, _baruch'_):** The Hebrew word בָּרוּךְ (_baruch_), derived from the root ברך (_barak_), means "blessed," "praised," or "endowed with favor." In this context, it signifies a state of divine favor and well-being actively bestowed by God. It is not merely good fortune or an absence of hardship, but a positive, active impartation of prosperity, fruitfulness, and success that originates from God's hand. The passive participle form indicates that the recipient is the object of this divine action. This blessing encompasses not only material abundance but also peace, security, and the flourishing of life in all its dimensions, directly flowing from the covenant relationship with Yahweh.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Blessed shalt thou be in the city":** This clause promises divine favor and prosperity within the urban centers and settled communities of Israel. It speaks to success in commerce, social interactions, public life, and the security and well-being of the family unit within a town or city. For an agrarian society, the city was the hub of trade, governance, and communal life, and its blessing implied thriving markets, safe dwellings, and a vibrant social fabric.
* **"and blessed shalt thou be in the field":** This clause extends the promise of divine blessing to the agricultural and rural spheres of life. It signifies fruitfulness of the land, abundant harvests, healthy livestock, and success in all endeavors related to cultivation and sustenance from the earth. For ancient Israel, whose economy and survival were intrinsically linked to agriculture, the blessing in the "field" was fundamental to their very existence and national prosperity.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 28:3 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Repetition**, with the phrase "blessed shalt thou be" appearing twice. This repetition serves to emphasize the certainty, comprehensive nature, and unwavering promise of God's blessing. It underscores that the blessing is not partial or fleeting but a definite and pervasive reality for the obedient. Furthermore, the pairing of "in the city, and in the field" is a prime example of **Merism**. This device uses two contrasting or complementary parts to represent a complete whole. "City" and "field" together encompass the entirety of human existence and activity in ancient Israel—from urban life and commerce to rural agriculture and sustenance. Thus, the merism signifies a holistic blessing that permeates every single aspect of life, leaving no area untouched by God's favor. The verse also functions as part of a larger **Covenant Formula**, specifically within the "blessings" section, which is a common literary and theological structure in ancient Near Eastern treaties and biblical covenants, clearly delineating the consequences of adherence to or deviation from the covenant terms.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 28:3 articulates God's profound desire to bless His people comprehensively, a theme that resonates throughout the entire biblical narrative. This promise of holistic blessing—encompassing all aspects of life, from public to private, from economic to domestic—reveals a God who is intimately concerned with the well-being and flourishing of His creation. While the immediate context is the Mosaic Covenant with its specific conditionalities, the underlying principle of God as the source of all true blessing remains constant. This verse foreshadows the ultimate spiritual blessings available through Christ, demonstrating that God's plan has always been to bring flourishing to those in right relationship with Him, whether under the Old Covenant's legal framework or the New Covenant's grace-based relationship. It highlights that true prosperity is not merely material accumulation but a state of holistic well-being rooted in divine favor.

* [Psalm 1:3](/psalms/1-3 "Psalm 1:3 - The Blessed Man")
* [Proverbs 10:22](/proverbs/10-22 "Proverbs 10:22 - The Blessing of the Lord")
* [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 28:3 serves as a powerful reminder of God's desire to bless His people, a truth that transcends the specific historical context of ancient Israel. For believers today, while we live under the New Covenant in Christ, the principle of God's comprehensive favor for those who walk in His ways remains profoundly relevant. This verse encourages us to recognize that God's presence and blessing are not confined to specific sacred spaces or moments but can permeate every sphere of our lives—our workplaces, our homes, our relationships, our finances, and our personal pursuits. Just as "city" and "field" represented the totality of life for the Israelites, we are called to live with an awareness that God's hand can be upon us in our professional endeavors ("city") and our private, family, and recreational lives ("field"). It challenges us to cultivate a life of faith and obedience, not as a means to earn blessing, but as a response to God's grace, trusting that true well-being and flourishing come from walking in alignment with His will.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "cities" and "fields" of your life do you most desire God's blessing today?**
* **How does the concept of "holistic blessing" in this verse challenge or affirm your understanding of prosperity?**
* **What practical steps can you take to live with greater awareness of God's presence and potential blessing in all areas of your daily life?**
* **How does your understanding of the New Covenant in Christ reshape your expectation of "blessing" compared to the Old Testament context of this verse?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse mean that if Christians are obedient, they will always be materially prosperous?**

Answer: While Deuteronomy 28:3 promises material and communal prosperity to ancient Israel under the Mosaic Covenant, applying this directly and unconditionally to New Covenant believers requires careful theological nuance. The New Testament redefines "blessing" to include profound spiritual realities that transcend mere material wealth. While God certainly blesses His people and provides for their needs, often materially, the primary blessings in Christ are spiritual: salvation, adoption, peace with God, the indwelling Holy Spirit, and eternal life (see [Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). Furthermore, the New Testament emphasizes that believers may experience hardship and persecution (e.g., [John 16:33](/john/16-33 "John 16:33 - Jesus Overcomes the World")), yet still be considered "blessed" in a spiritual sense. The principle of God's desire to bless those who honor Him remains, but the *nature* and *scope* of that blessing are reinterpreted and fulfilled in Christ, focusing on spiritual flourishing and kingdom priorities, as Jesus taught in [Matthew 6:33](/matthew/6-33 "Matthew 6:33 - Seek First the Kingdom")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 28:3, with its promise of comprehensive blessing in "city" and "field" for an obedient Israel, finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in Jesus Christ. He is the true Israel, the obedient Son, who perfectly fulfilled the Law and its covenant requirements, thereby becoming the source of all blessing for humanity. In Christ, the conditional blessings of the Old Covenant are transformed into unconditional grace, as He bore the curse of the Law on the cross (as seen in [Galatians 3:13-14](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13-14 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). Through faith in Him, believers are no longer under the Law's condemnation but are "blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ" ([Ephesians 1:3](/ephesians/1-3 "Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings in Christ")). This means that the holistic flourishing promised in Deuteronomy 28:3 is now realized in a far richer, spiritual sense: our entire lives—our "city" (public life, work, community) and our "field" (private life, family, personal endeavors)—are brought under the dominion of Christ's redemptive power. He sanctifies all spheres of existence, enabling believers to experience peace, purpose, and abundant life (as promised in [John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Abundant Life")) regardless of external circumstances, because the source of blessing, Jesus Himself, dwells within them through the Holy Spirit.

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

Psalms 144:12

That our sons [may be] as plants grown up in their youth; [that] our daughters [may be] as corner stones, polished [after] the similitude of a palace:

Psalms 144:15

Happy [is that] people, that is in such a case: [yea], happy [is that] people, whose God [is] the LORD.

Genesis 39:5

And it came to pass from the time [that] he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field.

Haggai 2:19

Is the seed yet in the barn? yea, as yet the vine, and the fig tree, and the pomegranate, and the olive tree, hath not brought forth: from this day will I bless [you].

Isaiah 65:21

And they shall build houses, and inhabit [them]; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them.

Isaiah 65:23

They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they [are] the seed of the blessed of the LORD, and their offspring with them.

Genesis 26:12

¶ Then Isaac sowed in that land, and received in the same year an hundredfold: and the LORD blessed him.