Deuteronomy 28:32

KJV

Thy sons and thy daughters [shall be] given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look, and fail [with longing] for them all the day long: and [there shall be] no might in thine hand.

KJV (with Strong's)

Thy sons {H1121} and thy daughters {H1323} shall be given {H5414} unto another {H312} people {H5971}, and thine eyes {H5869} shall look {H7200}, and fail {H3616} with longing for them all the day {H3117} long: and there shall be no might {H410} in thine hand {H3027}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Your sons and daughters will be handed over to another people; you will watch for them longingly all day but not see them; and there will be nothing you can do about it.

Berean Standard Bible

Your sons and daughters will be given to another nation, while your eyes grow weary looking for them day after day, with no power in your hand.

American Standard Version

Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given unto another people; and thine eyes shall look, and fail with longing for them all the day: and there shall be nought in the power of thy hand.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 28:32 stands as a poignant and terrifying warning within the Mosaic Covenant, detailing one of the most agonizing curses for Israel's potential disobedience: the forced separation of children from their parents into foreign captivity. This verse vividly portrays the profound and unending grief of parents whose eyes would "fail with longing" for their lost sons and daughters, coupled with a crushing sense of powerlessness, signifying a complete inability to intervene or reclaim their loved ones. It underscores the severe and deeply personal consequences of straying from God's covenantal path.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 28 is the climactic chapter of Moses' second address to Israel, serving as the formal ratification of the covenant made at Mount Sinai. It is meticulously structured, beginning with extensive blessings for obedience (vv. 1-14) before transitioning to a far more detailed and graphic list of curses for disobedience (vv. 15-68). This stark contrast emphasizes the gravity of the covenant and the absolute necessity of faithfulness. Deuteronomy 28:32 is nestled within the escalating series of curses, specifically addressing the horrors of foreign invasion, siege, and exile, which would culminate in the nation's dispersion among hostile peoples. The preceding verses describe economic ruin and military defeat, while subsequent verses continue to elaborate on the psychological and physical torment of a people under judgment, leading to utter despair and the loss of national identity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The warnings in Deuteronomy 28 resonate deeply with the historical realities of the Ancient Near East. Treaties between suzerain (overlord) and vassal (subordinate) states commonly included elaborate blessings and curses, mirroring the structure seen here. Conquests in this era were brutal, often involving the deportation of conquered populations, particularly skilled laborers and children, to assimilate them into the victorious empire and break their national spirit. The loss of children to foreign captors was a common and devastating consequence of defeat, striking at the very heart of family and lineage, which were paramount in Israelite society. These warnings were not abstract threats but grim prophecies of what Israel would indeed experience centuries later during the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles, as documented in books like [2 Kings](/2-kings/17 "2 Kings 17 - Fall of Israel") and [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/39 "Jeremiah 39 - Fall of Jerusalem").

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it underscores the theme of **Consequences of Disobedience**, presenting a vivid and emotionally devastating example of the painful repercussions that arise from breaking covenant with God. Secondly, it highlights the theme of **Divine Judgment**, portraying God's justice as a necessary response to unfaithfulness, not arbitrary punishment but the inevitable outcome of rejecting His life-giving commands. Thirdly, the verse is a stark portrayal of **Exile and Dispersion**, a recurring motif in Israel's history, foreshadowing the tragic loss of land, sovereignty, and family unity that would befall the nation. Finally, it profoundly illustrates **Profound Loss and Helplessness**, capturing the essence of human suffering when faced with an insurmountable tragedy, emphasizing the complete inability of the afflicted to alter their dire circumstances, as also seen in the lamentations of [Job](/job/3 "Job 3 - Job's Lament").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **"fail [with longing]" (Hebrew, כָּלָה, _kalah'_):** This verb literally means "to complete," "to finish," or "to waste away." In this context, it vividly portrays the physical and emotional toll of unending grief. The eyes of the parents would literally "waste away" or grow dim, consumed by a continuous, unfulfilled yearning and sorrow for their lost children. It speaks to a pervasive, debilitating grief that affects one's very being.
* **"no might in thine hand" (Hebrew, אֵין לְאֵל יָדֶךָ, _ein le'el yadekha'_):** This idiomatic expression signifies a complete and utter lack of power, capacity, or ability. The parents are utterly helpless; they possess no strength, no means, and no recourse to intervene, resist, or reverse the devastating situation of their children being taken. This emphasizes the depth of despair and the finality of their loss.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Thy sons and thy daughters [shall be] given unto another people":** This clause describes the core tragedy: the forced separation of children from their families and their transfer into the possession of foreign, often hostile, nations. "Given unto" implies a complete loss of ownership and control, suggesting they would be enslaved, assimilated, or otherwise lost to their heritage and kin. This speaks to the destruction of family units and the obliteration of future generations within their own culture.
* **"and thine eyes shall look, and fail [with longing] for them all the day long":** This paints a deeply emotional picture of the parents' enduring suffering. Their gaze would be perpetually fixed in the direction their children were taken, searching, hoping against hope for their return. The "failing with longing" conveys an unceasing, debilitating sorrow, a constant, consuming ache that would drain their vitality and leave them in a state of perpetual, unfulfilled yearning. The phrase "all the day long" emphasizes the relentless, unremitting nature of this grief.
* **"and [there shall be] no might in thine hand":** This final clause underscores the utter helplessness of the parents. Despite their profound longing and sorrow, they would be utterly powerless to act. There would be no strength, no resources, no opportunity to rescue their children or alleviate their own suffering. This emphasizes the complete and crushing despair that would accompany the loss, a state of absolute impotency in the face of overwhelming calamity.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 28:32 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Pathos** is central, as the verse is crafted to evoke profound emotional responses of sorrow, pity, and despair in the listener or reader. The vivid imagery of parents' eyes "failing with longing" and their hands having "no might" creates a visceral sense of suffering. **Hyperbole** is present in the phrase "all the day long," emphasizing the unending and pervasive nature of the grief, suggesting a constant, consuming sorrow rather than a literal 24-hour period. The verse also utilizes **Foreshadowing**, grimly predicting the future exiles of Israel under the Assyrians and Babylonians, where such atrocities were indeed committed. The stark contrast between the covenant blessings and these curses also highlights a form of **Antithesis**, underscoring the severity of the consequences for disobedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 28:32 serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of covenant faithfulness and the just consequences of rebellion against a holy God. Theologically, it underscores the principle that God's covenant is not a mere suggestion but a binding agreement with tangible outcomes for obedience and disobedience. This curse, like others in Deuteronomy, demonstrates that God's judgment is not arbitrary but a righteous response to a people who, despite receiving immense blessing and deliverance, turn away from their divine benefactor. It highlights the deeply personal and communal impact of sin, showing how national apostasy can lead to the breakdown of the most fundamental unit of society—the family—and inflict unimaginable suffering. The prophetic nature of this verse, fulfilled centuries later, also testifies to God's sovereign knowledge of history and His unwavering commitment to His word, whether in blessing or in judgment.

* [Deuteronomy 28:48](/deuteronomy/28-48 "Deuteronomy 28:48 - Slavery and Hunger")
* [Lamentations 1:18](/lamentations/1-18 "Lamentations 1:18 - Jerusalem's Desolation")
* [Jeremiah 15:2](/jeremiah/15-2 "Jeremiah 15:2 - Those Appointed to Death")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While modern believers in Christ are not under the literal curses of the Mosaic Law, the spiritual principles embedded in Deuteronomy 28:32 remain profoundly relevant. This verse serves as a powerful cautionary tale, reminding us that persistent disobedience and a turning away from God's revealed will can lead to severe and painful consequences, albeit often spiritual or relational rather than physical exile. It challenges us to consider the "cost of discipleship" and the importance of unwavering faithfulness to God's commands in our own lives, recognizing that straying from His path can lead to spiritual barrenness, emotional distress, and broken relationships. Furthermore, this verse calls us to cultivate deep empathy and compassion for those in our world who experience forced displacement, separation from family, and the profound pain of loss and powerlessness, echoing the sorrow described for ancient Israel. It reminds us to pray for and support refugees, victims of human trafficking, and all those whose families are torn apart by conflict or injustice, recognizing their suffering as a reflection of the brokenness of a fallen world. Ultimately, understanding this verse deepens our appreciation for God's covenant faithfulness and the wisdom of walking in His ways, which ultimately leads to life, peace, and true freedom, not longing and despair.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does this verse challenge our understanding of God's justice and the severe consequences of sin, even for a chosen people?**
* **In what ways might spiritual or relational "exile" manifest in our lives today when we drift from God's will, and what steps can we take to return to faithfulness?**
* **What does "no might in thine hand" teach us about human helplessness and our ultimate dependence on God's sovereignty and intervention in times of profound loss?**

### FAQ

**Did these curses, particularly the loss of children to foreign peoples, literally happen to Israel?**

Answer: Yes, the historical record confirms that these curses were tragically fulfilled in Israel's history. The northern kingdom of Israel was conquered by Assyria in 722 BC, and its people were deported and scattered among other nations, as detailed in [2 Kings 17](/2-kings/17 "2 Kings 17 - Fall of Israel"). Similarly, the southern kingdom of Judah experienced the Babylonian exile in several waves, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem in 586 BC, where many were taken captive, including children and families, as recounted in [2 Kings 25](/2-kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - Fall of Judah") and the book of [Lamentations](/lamentations/1 "Lamentations 1 - Jerusalem's Desolation"). The suffering described in Deuteronomy 28:32 accurately foreshadowed the profound grief and helplessness experienced by the Israelites during these periods of national judgment and dispersion.

**Is God still active in judgment this way today, bringing such physical curses upon nations or individuals?**

Answer: While God's character and justice remain unchanging, the nature of His covenantal relationship with humanity has shifted from the Old Covenant to the New Covenant established through Jesus Christ. The specific national curses and blessings outlined in Deuteronomy were tied directly to Israel's obedience or disobedience to the Mosaic Law as a theocratic nation. In the New Testament era, God's ultimate judgment is focused on sin and unbelief, culminating in the final judgment (e.g., [Revelation 20:11-15](/revelation/20-11 "Revelation 20:11-15 - The Great White Throne Judgment")). While individuals and nations can still experience the natural consequences of sin and rebellion against God's moral order, and God can still intervene providentially in history, the direct, physical curses of Deuteronomy 28 are not the primary mode of divine interaction with believers under the New Covenant. Instead, believers are called to walk in faithfulness and are promised spiritual blessings and the ultimate hope of eternal life in Christ, even amidst earthly trials (e.g., [Romans 8:28](/romans/8-28 "Romans 8:28 - God Works for Good")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 28:32, with its agonizing portrayal of loss, longing, and powerlessness, finds its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment not in a direct application of the curse to Jesus, but in His redemptive work that reverses the curse's effects and addresses the very human condition of helplessness that it describes. The profound "longing" of the parents for their lost children echoes humanity's deep, unfulfilled yearning for reconciliation with God, a separation caused by sin. Jesus, the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), became the ultimate "given unto another people" – given over to death for the sins of the world (e.g., [Isaiah 53:5-6](/isaiah/53-5 "Isaiah 53:5-6 - Wounded for Our Transgressions")). On the cross, He experienced a profound separation from the Father, crying out, "[My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?](/matthew/27-46 "Matthew 27:46 - Jesus' Cry of Dereliction")" (Matthew 27:46), a spiritual "exile" that bore the full weight of the curse of sin. Where humanity had "no might in thine hand" to overcome sin and death, Christ, through His death and resurrection, provided the ultimate power, redeeming us from the curse of the law (e.g., [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")) and offering hope, reunion, and eternal life. His sacrifice transforms the despair of separation into the joy of adoption into God's family (e.g., [Ephesians 1:5](/ephesians/1-5 "Ephesians 1:5 - Adoption as Sons")), granting us the "might" to live in newness of life through His Spirit (e.g., [Romans 8:11](/romans/8-11 "Romans 8:11 - Spirit Gives Life")).

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

Joel 3:6

The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border.

Deuteronomy 28:41

Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity.

2 Chronicles 29:9

For, lo, our fathers have fallen by the sword, and our sons and our daughters and our wives [are] in captivity for this.

Lamentations 4:17

As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation [that] could not save [us].

Psalms 69:3

I am weary of my crying: my throat is dried: mine eyes fail while I wait for my God.

Psalms 119:82

Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?

Amos 5:27

Therefore will I cause you to go into captivity beyond Damascus, saith the LORD, whose name [is] The God of hosts.