Deuteronomy 28:43

KJV

The stranger that [is] within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low.

KJV (with Strong's)

The stranger {H1616} that is within {H7130} thee shall get up {H5927} above thee very {H4605} high {H4605}; and thou shalt come down {H3381} very {H4295} low {H4295}.

Complete Jewish Bible

"The foreigner living with you will rise higher and higher while you sink lower and lower.

Berean Standard Bible

The foreigner living among you will rise higher and higher above you, while you sink down lower and lower.

American Standard Version

The sojourner that is in the midst of thee shall mount up above thee higher and higher; and thou shalt come down lower and lower.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 28:43 is a solemn warning within Moses' final address to Israel, vividly portraying the devastating consequences of national disobedience to God's covenant. This verse specifically predicts a dramatic and humiliating reversal of fortunes: the resident foreigners within Israel will ascend to positions of great power and prosperity, while the Israelites themselves, once God's chosen and privileged people, will descend into extreme degradation and subjugation. It underscores the principle that divine blessings are conditional upon faithfulness, and rebellion inevitably leads to severe judgment and national decline.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 28 stands as the climactic chapter in Moses' second discourse, delivered on the plains of Moab just before Israel enters the Promised Land. It functions as a foundational covenant document, outlining the blessings that will accompany obedience to God's commands (verses 1-14) and the extensive, severe curses that will befall the nation for disobedience (verses 15-68). Verse 43 is situated deep within the curses section, specifically among a series of warnings describing economic hardship, foreign domination, and national humiliation that would result from Israel's unfaithfulness. The preceding verses detail plagues, famine, and siege, while the subsequent verses continue to elaborate on the complete desolation and exile that awaited a rebellious Israel, culminating in their dispersion among the nations.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Moses is speaking to a generation of Israelites who are about to inherit the land promised to their ancestors. They are on the cusp of transitioning from a nomadic, wilderness existence to settling as an agrarian society with a divinely ordained legal and social structure. The warnings in Deuteronomy 28, therefore, are highly relevant to their impending national identity and future. The concept of "strangers" (Hebrew: _ger_) was well-understood; these were non-Israelites who resided within Israelite territory, often as vulnerable sojourners. Culturally, the idea of a nation's prosperity and standing being tied to the favor of its deity was common in the Ancient Near East, but Deuteronomy uniquely ties it to a singular, holy God and a specific, detailed covenant. The humiliation of being subjugated by foreigners, especially those previously considered lower in status, would have been a profoundly shameful and terrifying prospect for a people who saw themselves as uniquely chosen by Yahweh.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 28:43 powerfully encapsulates several overarching themes of the book of Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament narrative. Foremost is the **conditional nature of the covenant**, where Israel's well-being is directly contingent upon their obedience to God's law, as seen throughout [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). It highlights the theme of **divine judgment and consequences for disobedience**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, whether in blessing or in curse. The verse also vividly portrays a **reversal of fortunes**, where the privileged become debased and the marginalized are elevated, serving as a stark warning against pride and presumption. This theme of national humiliation and subjugation by foreign powers is echoed repeatedly in later prophetic books, such as when [Jerusalem fell to Babylon](/lamentations/1 "Lamentations 1 - The Desolation of Jerusalem"), fulfilling these very prophecies.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Stranger (Hebrew, _gēr_):** This term refers to a resident alien, a sojourner, or a foreigner living within the Israelite community. Unlike a casual visitor, the _gēr_ had certain rights and protections under Israelite law (e.g., [Leviticus 19:34](/leviticus/19-34 "Leviticus 19:34 - Love the Sojourner")). The elevation of the _gēr_ above the native Israelite is a profound symbol of Israel's fall from grace, as those who were once dependent and protected would now become their superiors, controlling their destiny.
* **Very High (Hebrew, _ma'lah ma'lah_):** The repetition of the word for "up" or "high" (עָלָה, _'alah_) serves as an intensive, emphasizing an extreme degree of ascent. It denotes not merely a rise in status but a soaring, dominant position, indicating absolute superiority and control. This linguistic emphasis underscores the totality of the "stranger's" elevation.
* **Very Low (Hebrew, _mattah mattah_):** Similarly, the repetition of the word for "down" or "low" (מַטָּה, _mattah_) functions as an intensive, signifying an extreme and profound descent into degradation. It implies utter humiliation, powerlessness, and the loss of all national dignity and sovereignty, a complete reversal of their divinely appointed status.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"The stranger that [is] within thee":** This refers to the non-Israelite residents living among the people of Israel. These individuals, by divine command, were to be treated with kindness and justice, but they were generally in a subordinate position within Israelite society.
* **"shall get up above thee very high":** This clause predicts a shocking and humiliating reversal of roles. The foreigners, previously considered outsiders or dependents, would ascend to positions of power, authority, and prosperity, ultimately dominating the Israelites. The emphatic "very high" signifies the extreme degree of their elevation.
* **"and thou shalt come down very low":** This is the direct consequence for Israel. It describes their precipitous fall from their privileged, covenantal status. "Very low" denotes not just a loss of political or economic standing, but a profound national humiliation, subjugation, and loss of identity, becoming subservient to those they once hosted.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 28:43 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its stark warning. The most prominent is **Antithesis**, creating a sharp contrast between the "stranger" ascending "very high" and "thou" (Israel) coming "very low." This direct opposition highlights the dramatic reversal of fortunes. **Hyperbole** is also evident in the use of "very high" and "very low," emphasizing the extreme and total nature of the predicted societal and national degradation. Furthermore, the Hebrew text utilizes **Repetition** (specifically, an emphatic doubling of the adverbs for "high" and "low") to intensify the meaning, underscoring the absolute and complete nature of both the stranger's elevation and Israel's descent. This rhetorical emphasis ensures the severity of the warning is unmistakable to the audience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 28:43 serves as a profound theological statement on the consequences of covenant unfaithfulness and God's sovereign judgment. It underscores that Israel's favored status was not inherent but conditional upon their obedience to Yahweh. The elevation of the "stranger" and the humiliation of Israel demonstrate God's impartiality and His willingness to use even foreign nations as instruments of judgment against His own disobedient people. This principle reveals God's ultimate control over national destinies, where pride and rebellion inevitably lead to a fall, and humility and faithfulness are prerequisites for true blessing and stability. The historical fulfillment of this prophecy, particularly during the Babylonian exile, vividly illustrates the severity of God's warnings and the tangible consequences of spiritual apostasy.

* [Leviticus 26:17](/leviticus/26-17 "God's Judgment for Disobedience")
* [Nehemiah 9:36-37](/nehemiah/9-36 "Nehemiah 9:36-37 - Israel's Servitude to Foreign Kings")
* [Lamentations 1:5](/lamentations/1-5 "Lamentations 1:5 - Jerusalem's Adversaries Prosper")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 28:43, though spoken to ancient Israel, carries timeless principles for all who seek to live in covenant with God. It serves as a powerful reminder that faithfulness to God's commands is not merely a spiritual exercise but has tangible consequences for individuals, communities, and nations. When a people or an individual turns away from God's wisdom and ways, they risk losing their privileged position, experiencing a decline in influence, prosperity, and dignity, while others, perhaps previously overlooked, may rise. This verse challenges us to consider the spiritual health of our own lives and societies, recognizing that true flourishing is rooted in humility and obedience to God. It calls for introspection: are we prioritizing God's will, or are we drifting towards self-reliance and disobedience, risking a similar reversal of fortunes?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life or our community might we be experiencing a "coming down very low" due to a departure from God's principles?**
* **How does the warning about the "stranger" rising challenge my understanding of God's sovereignty over all peoples, even those outside my immediate faith community?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate greater faithfulness and obedience in my daily life, recognizing the profound impact it has on my well-being and influence?**

### FAQ
**Does this verse imply that God favors foreigners over His chosen people, or that He punishes Israel for being welcoming to strangers?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply that God inherently favors foreigners or punishes Israel for hospitality. Rather, it highlights God's justice and impartiality in judgment. The "stranger" (Hebrew: _ger_) rising "very high" is not a reward for their virtue but a consequence of Israel's disobedience. It's a vivid illustration of Israel's national degradation: the very people they were commanded to treat with kindness and justice (as seen in [Leviticus 19:34](/leviticus/19-34 "Leviticus 19:34 - Love the Sojourner")) would, in their own unfaithfulness, become their superiors. God's judgment is upon Israel for *their* sin, and the elevation of the stranger simply underscores the depth of Israel's fall and humiliation. It demonstrates that God's covenant blessings are conditional, and His justice applies equally to all, even His chosen nation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Deuteronomy 28:43 pronounces a curse of humiliation and reversal for a disobedient Israel, it ultimately points to the profound reversal accomplished in Christ. Jesus, the true Israelite and perfect covenant-keeper, willingly "came down very low" in His incarnation, humbling Himself even to the point of death on a cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Humiliation")). He bore the full weight of the curses of the law, including the shame and degradation promised for disobedience, so that humanity might be redeemed from its condemnation ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse")). In a divine paradox, His ultimate humiliation led to His exaltation "very high" to the right hand of God ([Philippians 2:9](/philippians/2-9 "Philippians 2:9 - Christ's Exaltation")), where He reigns as Lord over all. Furthermore, in Christ, the "stranger" (the Gentiles, once alienated from the commonwealth of Israel) are now brought near and made fellow heirs with Israel through the gospel ([Ephesians 2:11-13](/ephesians/2-11 "Ephesians 2:11-13 - Gentiles Brought Near in Christ")), while those who rejected Him, though ethnically Israel, were temporarily humbled. Thus, the spiritual principle of this verse finds its ultimate fulfillment in the cross, where the humble are exalted and the proud are brought low, and in the inclusion of all peoples into God's family through faith in the Lamb of God.

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

Deuteronomy 28:13

And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do [them]:

1 Samuel 13:19

Now there was no smith found throughout all the land of Israel: for the Philistines said, Lest the Hebrews make [them] swords or spears:

1 Samuel 13:23

And the garrison of the Philistines went out to the passage of Michmash.

Judges 10:7

And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon.

Judges 10:10

¶ And the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, saying, We have sinned against thee, both because we have forsaken our God, and also served Baalim.

2 Kings 17:20

And the LORD rejected all the seed of Israel, and afflicted them, and delivered them into the hand of spoilers, until he had cast them out of his sight.

2 Kings 17:23

Until the LORD removed Israel out of his sight, as he had said by all his servants the prophets. So was Israel carried away out of their own land to Assyria unto this day.