Deuteronomy 28:36

The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone.

The LORD {H3068} shall bring {H3212} thee, and thy king {H4428} which thou shalt set {H6965} over thee, unto a nation {H1471} which neither thou nor thy fathers {H1} have known {H3045}; and there shalt thou serve {H5647} other {H312} gods {H430}, wood {H6086} and stone {H68}.

ADONAI will bring you and your king whom you have put over yourselves to a nation you have not known, neither you nor your ancestors; and there you will serve other gods made of wood and stone.

The LORD will bring you and the king you appoint to a nation neither you nor your fathers have known, and there you will worship other gods—gods of wood and stone.

Jehovah will bring thee, and thy king whom thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation that thou hast not known, thou nor thy fathers; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 28:36 stands as a stark warning within the covenant curses, detailing the severe consequences of Israel's potential disobedience to God. It paints a vivid picture of national judgment, exile, and spiritual compromise.

Context

This verse is found within the highly significant Deuteronomy 28 chapter, which outlines the blessings for obedience to God's law and the curses for disobedience. Moses, speaking to the Israelites on the plains of Moab before they entered the Promised Land, prophetically warns them of the future if they were to break their covenant with the LORD. The curses escalate in severity, moving from agricultural blight to disease, defeat in battle, and ultimately, national dispersion and captivity.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment and Exile: The verse prophesies a forced removal from their land, indicating that even the king they would eventually choose (a future event, as Israel did not yet have a king) would be taken captive. This points directly to historical events like the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles, where both the northern and southern kingdoms, along with their rulers, were deported. God's sovereignty is evident, as He is the one who "shall bring thee" into this foreign land, demonstrating His control even over judgment.
  • Forced Idolatry: The most poignant part of the curse is the statement, "and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone." This refers to the lifeless, man-made idols common in pagan nations. In exile, the Israelites would be exposed to, and perhaps compelled to participate in, the worship of these foreign deities, a direct violation of the first two commandments (Exodus 20:3-5). It highlights the spiritual degradation that accompanies national apostasy.
  • Loss of National Identity and Sovereignty: The removal of "thy king" signifies a complete loss of national independence and self-governance. The nation would be subjected to foreign rule, losing the unique status and protection granted by their covenant with God.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "wood and stone" (Hebrew: 'ets wa'even) is a common biblical idiom used to describe idols. It emphasizes their inanimate, powerless nature in contrast to the living, active God of Israel. This simple yet profound description highlights the absurdity of worshipping such objects, which cannot see, hear, or help (Psalm 115:4-7).

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 28:36 serves as a powerful reminder of the consequences of spiritual drifting and disobedience. For believers today, while we are not under the Mosaic Law in the same way, the principle remains: forsaking God and His ways leads to spiritual captivity and compromise. We are called to remain faithful to Christ, avoiding the "idols" of our age—whether they be materialism, self-worship, or anything that takes God's rightful place in our lives. The verse encourages vigilance against spiritual apathy and underscores the importance of worshipping the one true God alone (1 John 5:21).

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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

  • Jeremiah 16:13

    Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, [neither] ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; where I will not shew you favour.

  • 2 Kings 25:11

    Now the rest of the people [that were] left in the city, and the fugitives that fell away to the king of Babylon, with the remnant of the multitude, did Nebuzaradan the captain of the guard carry away.

  • Deuteronomy 4:28

    And there ye shall serve gods, the work of men's hands, wood and stone, which neither see, nor hear, nor eat, nor smell.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:20

    And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons until the reign of the kingdom of Persia:

  • 2 Chronicles 36:6

    Against him came up Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon, and bound him in fetters, to carry him to Babylon.

  • 2 Chronicles 36:17

    Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave [them] all into his hand.

  • 2 Chronicles 33:11

    ¶ Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon.