Deuteronomy 28:52

KJV

And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he shall besiege {H6887} thee in all thy gates {H8179}, until thy high {H1364} and fenced {H1219} walls {H2346} come down {H3381}, wherein {H2004} thou trustedst {H982}, throughout all thy land {H776}: and he shall besiege {H6887} thee in all thy gates {H8179} throughout all thy land {H776}, which the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} hath given {H5414} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

They will besiege all your towns until your high, fortified walls, in which you trusted, collapse everywhere in your land, which ADONAI your God gave you.

Berean Standard Bible

They will besiege all the cities throughout your land, until the high and fortified walls in which you trust have fallen. They will besiege all your cities throughout the land that the LORD your God has given you.

American Standard Version

And they shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fortified walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land; and they shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which Jehovah thy God hath given thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 28:52 presents a dire prophetic warning within the extensive covenant curses, detailing the devastating and comprehensive consequences Israel would face for persistent disobedience to God's covenant. It vividly portrays the relentless nature of an enemy siege, emphasizing that even the most formidable human defenses—the "high and fenced walls" in which they might place their trust—would ultimately collapse. This widespread desolation would sweep across the entire land God had graciously given them, underscoring the absolute sovereignty of God in judgment and the profound futility of relying on anything other than His divine protection and faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 28:52 is strategically placed within the climactic and pivotal section of Moses' final discourse to the Israelites, specifically within the detailed enumeration of curses for covenant disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). This chapter serves as the capstone of the covenant renewal ceremony, presenting a stark contrast to the blessings promised for obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1-14). The curses are not merely punitive but pedagogical, designed to impress upon the Israelites the solemn gravity of their covenant obligations and the severe consequences of apostasy. Verse 52 describes a particularly harrowing form of divine judgment—prolonged and total siege warfare—which directly follows earlier warnings of foreign oppression and serves as a vivid illustration of the "iron yoke" that would be placed upon them if they failed to uphold the covenant (as described in [Deuteronomy 28:48](/deuteronomy/28-48 "Deuteronomy 28:48 - The Iron Yoke of Servitude")). This specific curse foreshadows and finds its tragic fulfillment in historical events such as the Assyrian and Babylonian conquests, culminating in the destruction of Jerusalem and the subsequent exile.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, siege warfare was a common, brutal, and highly effective military tactic used to conquer fortified cities. City walls were the primary defense, and their height, thickness, and strategic placement were symbols of a city's security, power, and prosperity. A prolonged siege involved completely encircling a city, cutting off all supplies, and preventing any ingress or egress, inevitably leading to starvation, disease, and eventually, the collapse of defenses and the city's capture or utter destruction. The "gates" of a city were far more than mere entry points; they were vital centers of economic activity, legal proceedings, social gatherings, and military defense. To besiege "all thy gates throughout all thy land" implies a total, nationwide assault, leaving no sanctuary or place of refuge. The Israelites were on the verge of entering a land inhabited by numerous fortified cities (as reported by the spies in [Numbers 13:28](/numbers/13-28 "Numbers 13:28 - Fortified Cities and Giants")), and this warning would have resonated deeply, highlighting that even the strongest human defenses were meaningless without divine favor. The crucial phrase "wherein thou trustedst" points to a common ancient practice of relying on physical fortifications rather than the protecting deity, a spiritual misstep that God explicitly condemns.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 28:52 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it highlights the **consequences of disobedience** to God's covenant, demonstrating that divine judgment is a real, severe, and inevitable outcome for rebellion. This verse serves as a vivid illustration of the "curse" side of the covenantal blessings and curses, emphasizing God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, both in blessing and in judgment (compare [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - The Beginning of the Curses") with [Deuteronomy 28:1](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1 - The Blessings of Obedience")). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **misplaced trust**. The phrase "wherein thou trustedst" points to Israel's potential error of placing their security in their physical defenses—their "high and fenced walls"—rather than in the Lord, who was their true protector and stronghold (as affirmed in [Psalm 18:2](/psalms/18-2 "Psalm 18:2 - The Lord My Rock and Fortress")). This serves as a timeless warning against relying on human strength, material possessions, or even impressive achievements instead of God's unfailing provision and protection, echoing the sentiment found in [Psalm 20:7](/psalms/20-7 "Psalm 20:7 - Trusting in the Lord"), which declares, "Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God." Thirdly, the repeated emphasis on "all thy gates" and "throughout all thy land" signifies the theme of **total devastation** and comprehensive judgment, indicating that no part of the land or its defenses would be spared from the enemy's relentless assault, leading to widespread ruin and exile, as tragically fulfilled in events like the [Babylonian destruction of Jerusalem](/jeremiah/52 "Jeremiah 52 - The Fall of Jerusalem").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Besiege (Hebrew, _tsârar'_):** This verb (H6887) means "to cramp, literally or figuratively, transitive or intransitive; adversary, (be in) afflict(-ion), beseige, bind (up), (be in, bring) distress, enemy, narrower, oppress, pangs, shut up, be in a strait (trouble), vex." It conveys the relentless, constricting, and suffocating nature of the military action. It's not a quick assault but a prolonged, agonizing encirclement that cuts off all resources and hope, leading to inevitable collapse. The repetition of the word emphasizes the persistent and pervasive nature of the enemy's assault.
* **High (Hebrew, _gâbôahh'_):** This adjective (H1364) means "elevated (or elated), powerful, arrogant; haughty, height, high(-er), lofty, proud." When applied to walls, it denotes their impressive height and formidable nature, suggesting a sense of impregnability and human pride in their construction. It implies that these were defenses built with great effort and confidence, intended to be insurmountable.
* **Fenced (Hebrew, _bâtsar'_):** This verb (H1219), used here participially, means "to clip off; specifically... to be isolated (i.e. inaccessible by height or fortification); cut off, (de-) fenced, fortify, (grape) gather(-er), mighty things, restrain, strong, wall (up), withhold." It describes walls that are not just tall but also strongly reinforced, making them difficult to penetrate and rendering the city within inaccessible. Together with "high," it paints a picture of ultimate human defensive engineering, designed to inspire absolute confidence and deter any aggressor.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the primary form of judgment: a military siege. The "he" refers to the unspecified enemy whom the Lord would raise up against Israel as an instrument of His judgment. "All thy gates" signifies that no city, no entry point, no center of commerce or justice would be immune from this relentless assault. This indicates a widespread, national calamity, not an isolated incident, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of the divine judgment.
* **"until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land:"**: This segment reveals the duration and devastating outcome of the siege. It would continue relentlessly until even the most formidable, seemingly impregnable defenses—the "high and fenced walls"—are utterly destroyed. The crucial phrase "wherein thou trustedst" highlights the spiritual dimension of Israel's failure: their misplaced reliance on human strength and fortifications rather than on God, their true protector. The phrase "throughout all thy land" reinforces the comprehensive nature of this judgment, indicating that no region or city would be spared from the pervasive destruction.
* **"and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the LORD thy God hath given thee."**: This concluding clause reiterates and intensifies the warning, emphasizing the total and pervasive nature of the siege. The repetition of "in all thy gates throughout all thy land" underscores the inescapable and inescapable nature of the judgment, leaving no doubt about its totality. The final phrase, "which the LORD thy God hath given thee," adds a poignant and ironic twist: the very land that was a gracious gift from God, a sign of His covenant faithfulness and blessing, would become the theater of their judgment, a tragic consequence of their unfaithfulness to the Giver.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 28:52 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its stark and unforgettable message. **Repetition** is prominently used with the phrase "he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land," appearing twice. This rhetorical technique emphasizes the comprehensive, inescapable, and relentless nature of the impending judgment, ensuring the audience grasps the utter totality of the devastation. **Hyperbole** is also present in the description of "high and fenced walls" coming down, which, while literally possible, serves to underscore the absolute futility of human defenses against divine judgment, implying that even the most secure strongholds would offer no refuge from God's wrath. The verse also contains a profound element of **Irony**, as the land "which the LORD thy God hath given thee" (a sign of His blessing and covenant faithfulness) becomes the very place where His curses are enacted due to Israel's disobedience. This highlights the reciprocal nature of the covenant and the tragic consequences of breaking faith with the divine Giver.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 28:52 stands as a profound theological statement on divine sovereignty, covenant fidelity, and the devastating consequences of apostasy. It reveals God's absolute control over nations and history, demonstrating His ability to raise up and bring down kingdoms as instruments of His righteous judgment. The verse underscores that true security does not lie in human strength, military might, or impressive fortifications, but solely in faithful obedience to God and unwavering reliance upon His protective power. When a people turn from their covenant obligations and place their trust in created things, God will allow those very things to fail them, exposing the emptiness and futility of their misplaced confidence. This serves as a timeless warning that God will not be mocked and that His covenant promises, whether of blessing or curse, are sure and will be fulfilled.

* [Psalm 127:1](/psalms/127-1 "Psalm 127:1 - Unless the Lord Builds the House")
* [Proverbs 18:10-11](/proverbs/18-10-11 "Proverbs 18:10-11 - The Name of the Lord is a Strong Tower")
* [Jeremiah 17:5](/jeremiah/17-5 "Jeremiah 17:5 - Cursed is the One Who Trusts in Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 28:52 presents a stark and sobering reminder that our ultimate security and well-being are not found in the strength of our own defenses, whether they be financial, social, intellectual, or physical. For the ancient Israelites, their "high and fenced walls" represented their greatest human efforts at security; for us today, these might manifest as our careers, bank accounts, social networks, academic achievements, carefully constructed reputations, or even our physical health and self-sufficiency. This verse challenges us to honestly examine where our deepest trust lies. Do we, like Israel, inadvertently place our confidence in created things, believing them to be impregnable against life's challenges, rather than in the Creator? The inevitable "coming down" of these trusted defenses, whether through economic downturns, health crises, relational breakdowns, societal upheaval, or personal failures, serves as a powerful testament to the futility of misplaced trust. This passage calls us to a radical reorientation of our reliance, urging us to place our full and unwavering confidence in God alone, recognizing Him as our true refuge, strength, and ultimate protector. It also reminds us that spiritual disobedience has profound and often painful consequences, urging a life of humble and consistent faithfulness to the Lord.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what "walls" or human constructs do I tend to place my primary trust for security and well-being?**
* **How does the warning of "misplaced trust" in this verse challenge my current priorities and sources of confidence?**
* **What practical steps can I take to consciously shift my reliance from worldly securities to a deeper, more consistent trust in God?**
* **How does understanding the severity of God's covenant curses deepen my appreciation for His grace and mercy in Christ?**

### FAQ

**What does it mean that Israel "trustedst" in their walls?**

Answer: The phrase "wherein thou trustedst" highlights a critical spiritual failure on the part of the Israelites. It means that despite God being their divine protector and stronghold (e.g., [Psalm 46:1](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God is our refuge and strength")), they would eventually place their ultimate confidence and sense of security in their physical fortifications—their high and strong city walls. This was a common tendency in the ancient world, where cities prided themselves on their formidable defenses. However, for a covenant people, relying on human strength or structures rather than on the Lord who gave them the land and promised to defend them (e.g., [Deuteronomy 20:4](/deuteronomy/20-4 "Deuteronomy 20:4 - The Lord Goes With You to Fight")) constituted a form of idolatry or spiritual unfaithfulness. The verse implies that God would allow these very objects of their misplaced trust to fail, demonstrating that true security comes only from Him and that all human efforts are futile without His blessing.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Deuteronomy 28:52 vividly describes the devastating consequences of Israel's covenant unfaithfulness under the Old Covenant, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment is found not in a literal siege of believers, but in the profound spiritual reality of humanity's inherent inability to save itself and the absolute sufficiency of Christ. Fallen humanity, much like ancient Israel, has continually built "high and fenced walls" of self-righteousness, human achievement, moral effort, and attempts to secure salvation or meaning through works. These "walls" are ultimately insufficient and destined to "come down" when confronted with the siege of sin, death, and divine judgment, as the law itself proves humanity's inability to achieve righteousness (see [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - By the Law No One Will Be Justified")). Jesus Christ, however, is the true and ultimate security and the only impenetrable refuge. He is the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), the one who, through His perfect obedience and sacrificial death, "breaks down the dividing wall of hostility" ([Ephesians 2:14](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14 - Christ Our Peace")) between God and humanity and between Jew and Gentile. Through His resurrection, He has disarmed the spiritual forces that laid siege to humanity ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Triumph Over Principalities and Powers")) and conquered the ultimate enemy, death itself ([1 Corinthians 15:54-57](/1_corinthians/15-54-57 "1 Corinthians 15:54-57 - Victory Over Death")). Believers are called to trust not in their own "walls" but in Christ alone, who is their [refuge and strength](/psalms/46-1 "Psalm 46:1 - God Is Our Refuge and Strength") and the [sole foundation upon which they can build their lives securely](/1_corinthians/3-11 "1 Corinthians 3:11 - Jesus Christ, the Only Foundation"), a foundation that will never be besieged or come down.

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

Jeremiah 21:4

Thus saith the LORD God of Israel; Behold, I will turn back the weapons of war that [are] in your hands, wherewith ye fight against the king of Babylon, and [against] the Chaldeans, which besiege you without the walls, and I will assemble them into the midst of this city.

Jeremiah 21:7

And afterward, saith the LORD, I will deliver Zedekiah king of Judah, and his servants, and the people, and such as are left in this city from the pestilence, from the sword, and from the famine, into the hand of Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon, and into the hand of their enemies, and into the hand of those that seek their life: and he shall smite them with the edge of the sword; he shall not spare them, neither have pity, nor have mercy.

Isaiah 62:8

The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn [to be] meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:

2 Kings 25:1

¶ And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth [day] of the month, [that] Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came, he, and all his host, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it; and they built forts against it round about.

2 Kings 25:4

And the city was broken up, and all the men of war [fled] by night by the way of the gate between two walls, which [is] by the king's garden: (now the Chaldees [were] against the city round about:) and [the king] went the way toward the plain.

Jeremiah 52:4

And it came to pass in the ninth year of his reign, in the tenth month, in the tenth [day] of the month, [that] Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon came, he and all his army, against Jerusalem, and pitched against it, and built forts against it round about.

Jeremiah 52:7

Then the city was broken up, and all the men of war fled, and went forth out of the city by night by the way of the gate between the two walls, which [was] by the king's garden; (now the Chaldeans [were] by the city round about:) and they went by the way of the plain.