Deuteronomy 28:46

KJV

And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever.

KJV (with Strong's)

And they shall be upon thee for a sign {H226} and for a wonder {H4159}, and upon thy seed {H2233} for {H5704} ever {H5769}.

Complete Jewish Bible

These curses will be on you and your descendants as a sign and a wonder forever.

Berean Standard Bible

These curses will be a sign and a wonder upon you and your descendants forever.

American Standard Version

and they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 28:46 stands as a somber declaration within the extensive covenant curses, proclaiming that the consequences of Israel's disobedience would serve as a public, enduring, and astonishing testimony. These judgments would not only afflict the disobedient generation but would also extend to their descendants, acting as a perpetual "sign and wonder" to all who witnessed their plight, vividly demonstrating the severe repercussions of forsaking God's commands and covenant faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 28:46 is embedded within Moses' final, pivotal addresses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. The chapter meticulously details the blessings for obedience to the covenant (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) and the far more extensive and severe curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). This particular verse functions as a concluding summary of the nature of these curses, emphasizing their public and lasting impact. It follows a litany of specific judgments, including famine, disease, military defeat, and national subjugation, serving as a solemn capstone to the warnings against apostasy. The "they" in the verse refers directly to the cumulative effects of these enumerated curses.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The book of Deuteronomy is structured as a covenant treaty, mirroring ancient Near Eastern suzerain-vassal agreements, where a great king (Suzerain, Yahweh) outlines terms for his vassal (Israel) and specifies blessings for loyalty and curses for rebellion. Israel stands at a critical juncture, about to transition from wilderness wanderers to a settled nation in Canaan. The warnings in Deuteronomy 28 were not abstract; they were practical stipulations for their national existence and identity in a land surrounded by pagan nations. The concept of "signs and wonders" was well-understood in the ancient world, often associated with divine intervention, whether for good (like the [plagues in Egypt](/exodus/7 "Exodus 7 - The Plagues Begin") or [manna in the wilderness](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - Manna and Quail")) or for judgment. For Israel's curses to become a "sign and wonder" meant their national suffering would be a public spectacle, a divine object lesson to all surrounding peoples.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several major theological themes prevalent throughout Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it highlights **Covenant Fidelity and Consequences**, demonstrating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, which includes both promised blessings for obedience and severe penalties for disobedience. This is not arbitrary punishment but the just outworking of a broken agreement. Secondly, the verse emphasizes **Divine Justice and Sovereignty**, showcasing God's absolute authority over history and nations, and His righteous judgment against sin. The curses serve as a stark, visible manifestation of His justice, not only to Israel but also to the watching world, making Israel's fate a testimony to God's character. Finally, the phrase "upon thy seed for ever" introduces the theme of **Generational Impact**, revealing that the choices of one generation can have profound and enduring effects on subsequent generations, underscoring the weighty responsibility of covenant faithfulness and the long-term ramifications of national apostasy, as seen in later periods of Israel's history, such as the [Babylonian exile](/2_kings/25 "2 Kings 25 - The Fall of Jerusalem").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sign (אָוֹת, _'ot_):** This Hebrew term refers to a distinguishing mark, a token, or a miraculous indicator. It often points to something that serves as a visible evidence or confirmation of a divine act or truth. In this context, the curses inflicted upon Israel would be a clear, observable marker, a public demonstration of God's hand at work due to their unfaithfulness, serving as a warning to all who witnessed their plight.
* **wonder (מוֹפֵת, _mopheth_):** This word denotes something astonishing, a portent, or a miracle that often evokes amazement, dread, or awe. When paired with _'ot_ ("sign"), as it frequently is in Scripture, it emphasizes the extraordinary and undeniable nature of the event. Here, it suggests that the curses on Israel would be so remarkable and severe that they would compel attention and demonstrate divine power in a way that was both shocking and undeniable.
* **for ever (לְעוֹלָם, _l'olam_):** While often translated as "forever," this Hebrew term can also signify "for a long time," "perpetually," or "for an indefinite future." In the context of the covenant curses, it implies an enduring, generational impact that would persist until God's redemptive intervention or until a significant turning point of repentance and restoration. It highlights the long-lasting consequences of national disobedience, affecting descendants across many generations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And they shall be upon thee for a sign":** This clause declares that the cumulative effects of the curses detailed in Deuteronomy 28—the diseases, famines, defeats, and exiles—would become a visible, unmistakable indicator upon the nation of Israel. Their suffering would serve as a clear, public testimony, demonstrating to themselves and to surrounding nations the direct consequences of breaking their covenant with God. It signifies that Israel's plight would be an observable marker of divine judgment.
* **"and for a wonder":** Building on the previous phrase, this emphasizes the astonishing and extraordinary nature of the curses. The judgments would not be ordinary misfortunes but would be so severe and unique that they would evoke awe, dread, or amazement in all who witnessed them. They would be a divine spectacle, compelling attention and undeniably demonstrating God's power and justice in upholding His covenant.
* **"and upon thy seed for ever":** This final clause extends the impact of these curses beyond the immediate generation to their descendants. It underscores the enduring, generational nature of the consequences of national disobedience. The effects of their unfaithfulness would not be confined to a single lifetime but would persist through successive generations, serving as a perpetual testimony and warning, until the Lord, in His mercy, brought about a redemptive turning point.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 28:46 effectively employs several **Literary Devices** to convey its profound message. The most prominent is **Symbolism**, where the curses themselves are not merely punishments but become a "sign" and a "wonder." They symbolize God's active judgment, His unwavering commitment to the covenant, and the public testimony of Israel's unique relationship with Him. The phrase "for a sign and for a wonder" also functions as a **Merism**, combining two related terms to express a comprehensive idea—that the curses would be utterly undeniable and astonishing in their manifestation. Furthermore, the use of **Hyperbole** in "for ever" (לְעוֹלָם, _l'olam_) emphasizes the severity and prolonged duration of the consequences, rather than suggesting an absolute, unending perpetuity, thereby magnifying the solemnity of the warning. The verse also implicitly uses **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the future exiles and tribulations that would indeed befall Israel as a direct result of their disobedience, making their national history a living testament to the truth of this verse.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 28:46 profoundly articulates the seriousness of God's covenant with Israel and the direct, public consequences of unfaithfulness. It reveals a God who is just and faithful to His word, not only in blessing obedience but also in executing judgment for rebellion. The "sign and wonder" of Israel's suffering would serve as a testimony to the nations, demonstrating that the God of Israel is indeed the sovereign Lord of history, whose covenant cannot be trifled with. This verse underscores the corporate nature of sin and its far-reaching impact, emphasizing that the choices of a nation can affect generations. While specific to the Mosaic Covenant, the principle of divine consequences for disobedience and the ripple effect of sin remains a timeless theological truth, calling all to consider the gravity of their relationship with God.

* [Leviticus 26:33](/leviticus/26-33 "Leviticus 26:33 - Dispersion Among Nations")
* [Nehemiah 9:36-37](/nehemiah/9-36 "Nehemiah 9:36-37 - Confession of Servitude")
* [Jeremiah 24:9](/jeremiah/24-9 "Jeremiah 24:9 - A Sign and Reproach")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 28:46, though rooted in the ancient covenant with Israel, offers timeless principles for reflection and application in our lives today. It serves as a stark reminder that our choices, both individually and corporately, carry significant weight and can have far-reaching consequences, extending beyond ourselves to impact future generations. The "sign and wonder" of Israel's history teaches us about the seriousness with which God views obedience and disobedience, and that His character is unwavering in both justice and faithfulness. This should prompt us to examine our own lives: Are we living in a way that honors God's commands, or are we, through our actions and attitudes, setting a trajectory that could lead to negative consequences for ourselves and those who follow us? It calls us to a deep reverence for God's word and a commitment to walking in humble submission to His will, understanding that true flourishing comes from aligning our lives with His divine purposes.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do our personal and communal choices today impact future generations, both within our families and broader society?**
* **In what ways might we, individually or corporately, be tempted to disregard God's warnings or take His grace for granted?**
* **How does understanding the severity of God's justice in the Old Testament deepen our appreciation for the boundless grace and mercy offered through Christ?**

### FAQ
**Does "for ever" in Deuteronomy 28:46 mean the curses are literally perpetual, or is there an end?**

Answer: The Hebrew term _l'olam_ (לְעוֹלָם), translated "for ever," does not always denote an absolute, unending perpetuity in the modern sense. While it can mean "forever" in some contexts (e.g., God's eternal nature), it often signifies a long duration, for an indefinite period, or throughout a specific epoch or generation. In the context of Deuteronomy 28:46, "for ever" emphasizes the enduring, generational impact of the curses, meaning they would persist for a very long time, affecting successive generations of Israel. It highlights the severity and long-term consequences of their disobedience. However, the broader biblical narrative reveals that God's ultimate plan for Israel includes repentance, restoration, and a new covenant of grace. Prophets like [Jeremiah](/jeremiah/31 "Jeremiah 31 - The New Covenant") and [Ezekiel](/ezekiel/36 "Ezekiel 36 - Restoration of Israel") speak of a future day when God would gather His people, cleanse them, and put His Spirit within them, effectively breaking the cycle of perpetual judgment and offering a path to spiritual renewal and national restoration. Thus, while the *effects* of disobedience could be long-lasting, God's covenant mercy and redemptive plan ultimately provide a way out of the curse.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 28:46, with its solemn pronouncement of curses as a "sign and wonder" upon Israel "for ever," finds its profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant, with its conditional blessings and curses, ultimately revealed humanity's inability to perfectly keep God's law, leading inevitably to the curse of disobedience. The entire history of Israel, marked by exile and suffering, became a living testament to the truth of verses like [Deuteronomy 28:46](/deuteronomy/28-46 "Deuteronomy 28:46 - A Sign and Wonder"). However, the New Testament reveals that Jesus Christ entered this human condition, not to condemn, but to redeem. [Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems from the Curse") declares that "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us." He, who knew no sin, became sin for us (2 Corinthians 5:21), taking upon Himself the full weight of the "sign and wonder" of God's righteous judgment against sin, fulfilling the ultimate curse on the cross. His crucifixion, a public spectacle of suffering, became the ultimate "sign and wonder" – not of human disobedience, but of divine love and justice perfectly met. Through His atoning sacrifice, the perpetual condemnation that the law brought is removed for all who believe, as there is now "no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus" ([Romans 8:1](/romans/8-1 "Romans 8:1 - No Condemnation in Christ")). The "for ever" of the curse is broken by the eternal life and blessing offered in Christ, ushering in a new covenant where forgiveness and spiritual transformation replace the perpetual cycle of judgment, offering a permanent and perfect redemption.

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

Isaiah 8:18

Behold, I and the children whom the LORD hath given me [are] for signs and for wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, which dwelleth in mount Zion.

Ezekiel 14:8

And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I [am] the LORD.

Deuteronomy 28:37

And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.

Jeremiah 25:18

[To wit], Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and the kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, an hissing, and a curse; as [it is] this day;

Ezekiel 36:20

And when they entered unto the heathen, whither they went, they profaned my holy name, when they said to them, These [are] the people of the LORD, and are gone forth out of his land.

Jeremiah 19:8

And I will make this city desolate, and an hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all the plagues thereof.

Deuteronomy 29:20

The LORD will not spare him, but then the anger of the LORD and his jealousy shall smoke against that man, and all the curses that are written in this book shall lie upon him, and the LORD shall blot out his name from under heaven.