Deuteronomy 28:30

Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof.

Thou shalt betroth {H781} a wife {H802}, and another {H312} man {H376} shall lie {H7901}{H7693} with her: thou shalt build {H1129} an house {H1004}, and thou shalt not dwell {H3427} therein: thou shalt plant {H5193} a vineyard {H3754}, and shalt not gather the grapes {H2490} thereof.

You will get engaged to a woman, but another man will marry her. You will build a house but not live in it. You will plant a vineyard but not use its fruit.

You will be pledged in marriage to a woman, but another man will violate her. You will build a house but will not live in it. You will plant a vineyard but will not enjoy its fruit.

Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build a house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not use the fruit thereof.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 28:30 is a stark verse found within the lengthy chapter of curses in Deuteronomy, detailing the severe consequences of disobedience to God's covenant with Israel. It vividly paints a picture of utter loss, humiliation, and the reversal of natural expectations, serving as a powerful warning to the ancient Israelites and a timeless principle for all.

Context

This verse is situated in the latter half of Deuteronomy 28, which outlines the blessings for obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) and the far more extensive list of curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). The book of Deuteronomy itself is a retelling of God's law and covenant instructions given by Moses to the Israelites just before they entered the Promised Land. The curses are not arbitrary punishments but direct consequences of breaking the covenant, designed to impress upon the people the seriousness of their commitment to God and His laws. Verse 30 highlights specific areas of life—home, livelihood, and family—where the fruits of labor and personal dignity would be cruelly denied.

Key Themes

  • Loss and Dispossession: The primary theme is the complete loss of the fruits of one's labor and aspirations. A man builds a house, a symbol of security and establishment, but cannot live in it. He plants a vineyard, an investment of time and effort, but cannot enjoy its produce. This signifies a life devoid of satisfaction and filled with futility.
  • Humiliation and Shame: The most grievous part of the curse, "another man shall lie with her," speaks to profound personal and familial dishonor. In ancient Israelite society, a man's honor was closely tied to his family and the sanctity of his marriage. This specific curse represents the ultimate violation and public shame, highlighting the complete breakdown of societal order and personal control under divine judgment.
  • Divine Judgment: These misfortunes are presented not as random occurrences but as direct consequences of God's judgment against a disobedient people. They are a visible manifestation of the covenant curses, demonstrating God's justice and His commitment to upholding the terms of His covenant.
  • Insecurity and Instability: The verse paints a picture of a life utterly lacking in security, where personal efforts yield no reward and the most intimate aspects of life are violated. It underscores the instability that results from straying from God's protective hand.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew phrases used are direct and impactful:

  • "Build a house, but thou shalt not dwell therein" (בַּיִת תִּבְנֶה וְלֹא תֵשֵׁב בּוֹ - bayit tivneh v'lo teshev bo): This emphasizes the futility of effort when divine favor is withdrawn. The act of building implies permanence and future enjoyment, which is then tragically denied.
  • "Plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof" (כֶּרֶם תִּטַּע וְלֹא תְחַלְּלֶנּוּ - kerem tita v'lo teḥal'lenu): The word "gather" here (חָלַל - chalal) in this context literally means "to profane" or "to make common." In relation to vineyards, it refers to the first fruits which were often consecrated or subject to specific laws before general use. So, it implies not even getting to perform the initial, sacred act of harvesting, let alone enjoying the full yield. This is echoed in other prophetic warnings like Amos 5:11 and Micah 6:15.
  • "Marry a wife, and another man shall lie with her" (אִשָּׁה תְאָרֵשׂ וְאִישׁ אַחֵר יִשְׁגָּלֶנָּה - ishah te'aresh v'ish aḥer yishgalenah): The Hebrew word for "lie with her" (שָׁגַל - shagal) is a strong term for sexual violation, often implying rape or forced intercourse. This is the most personally devastating of the curses, striking at the very core of a man's honor, family, and future lineage, signifying complete powerlessness and ultimate dishonor. This directly violates the sanctity of marriage as outlined in the Law, such as Exodus 20:14.

Practical Application

While specific to the covenant with ancient Israel, the principles of Deuteronomy 28:30 resonate today:

  • Consequences of Disobedience: The verse serves as a powerful reminder that choices have consequences. Disregarding God's principles can lead to a sense of emptiness, futility, and a loss of control over one's life, even if one works hard.
  • The Value of Covenant Faithfulness: It underscores the immense value God places on faithfulness and obedience. When we align our lives with His will, we experience His blessings and protection.
  • Stewardship and Gratitude: It encourages gratitude for the blessings we receive and to be mindful that our ability to enjoy the fruits of our labor is ultimately a gift from God.
  • Spiritual Vigilance: The curse of personal violation can be seen metaphorically as a warning against allowing spiritual enemies or worldly influences to "defile" our spiritual commitments or relationships, diminishing our joy and purpose.

Deuteronomy 28:30 is a somber warning, urging us to consider the seriousness of our relationship with God and the profound impact of our choices on our lives and the lives of those around us.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

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

  • Amos 5:11

    Forasmuch therefore as your treading [is] upon the poor, and ye take from him burdens of wheat: ye have built houses of hewn stone, but ye shall not dwell in them; ye have planted pleasant vineyards, but ye shall not drink wine of them.

  • Jeremiah 8:10

    Therefore will I give their wives unto others, [and] their fields to them that shall inherit [them]: for every one from the least even unto the greatest is given to covetousness, from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely.

  • Job 31:10

    [Then] let my wife grind unto another, and let others bow down upon her.

  • Jeremiah 12:13

    They have sown wheat, but shall reap thorns: they have put themselves to pain, [but] shall not profit: and they shall be ashamed of your revenues because of the fierce anger of the LORD.

  • Deuteronomy 20:6

    And what man [is he] that hath planted a vineyard, and hath not [yet] eaten of it? let him [also] go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man eat of it.

  • Deuteronomy 20:7

    And what man [is there] that hath betrothed a wife, and hath not taken her? let him go and return unto his house, lest he die in the battle, and another man take her.

  • Lamentations 5:2

    Our inheritance is turned to strangers, our houses to aliens.
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