Deuteronomy 28:59

KJV

Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, [even] great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance.

KJV (with Strong's)

Then the LORD {H3068} will make {H6381} thy plagues {H4347} wonderful {H6381}, and the plagues {H4347} of thy seed {H2233}, even great {H1419} plagues {H4347}, and of long continuance {H539}, and sore {H7451} sicknesses {H2483}, and of long continuance {H539}.

Complete Jewish Bible

then ADONAI will strike down you and your descendants with extraordinary plagues and severe sicknesses that go on and on.

Berean Standard Bible

He will bring upon you and your descendants extraordinary disasters, severe and lasting plagues, and terrible and chronic sicknesses.

American Standard Version

then Jehovah will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 28:59 delivers a stark warning within the covenant curses, declaring that the LORD will inflict extraordinary and enduring plagues upon Israel and their descendants if they persist in disobedience. This verse underscores the severe and prolonged nature of divine judgment, emphasizing that these afflictions would be uniquely devastating, far exceeding ordinary human suffering, and would persist for a significant duration, including severe and protracted illnesses, as a direct consequence of covenant infidelity.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 28:59 is situated within the climactic section of Moses' final discourse to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, immediately before their entry into the Promised Land. The chapter is structured as a series of blessings for obedience ([Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1-14 - Blessings for Obedience")) and an extensive, escalating list of curses for disobedience ([Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience")). This verse falls deep within the curses, specifically among the most severe and comprehensive warnings, which describe the devastating impact of God's judgment on every aspect of national life, from agriculture and health to social stability and eventual exile. It serves to intensify the gravity of the covenant stipulations, impressing upon the people the dire consequences of rebellion against their covenant LORD.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Book of Deuteronomy serves as a covenant renewal document, delivered to a new generation of Israelites on the cusp of inheriting Canaan. Having witnessed the wilderness generation's failures, Moses reiterates the terms of the Mosaic Covenant established at Sinai, adapting them for life in the land. The concept of blessings and curses was a common feature of ancient Near Eastern suzerainty treaties, where a powerful king (suzerain) would establish terms with a lesser king or vassal, outlining rewards for loyalty and severe penalties for rebellion. In this divine covenant, Yahweh is the suzerain, and Israel is the vassal. The plagues described in this chapter, including specific diseases and widespread suffering, reflect common afflictions of the ancient world but are presented here as divinely orchestrated judgments, echoing the plagues inflicted upon Egypt ([Exodus 7-12](/exodus/7 "Exodus 7-12 - The Plagues of Egypt")). The emphasis on "seed" (descendants) highlights the intergenerational nature of covenant blessings and curses in ancient thought, where the actions of one generation could profoundly impact future ones.

* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Deuteronomy and the broader Old Testament. Firstly, it underscores the **holiness and justice of God**, demonstrating that the LORD is not indifferent to sin but actively intervenes to uphold His righteous standards and covenant promises. Secondly, it highlights the **conditional nature of the Mosaic Covenant**, where Israel's well-being in the land was directly tied to their obedience to God's commands, contrasting with the unconditional promises made to Abraham ([Genesis 12:1-3](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1-3 - The Abrahamic Covenant")). Thirdly, the verse emphasizes the **seriousness of disobedience and the certainty of divine consequences**, portraying God's judgment as not merely punitive but also pedagogical, intended to lead His people to repentance and a renewed commitment to Him. Finally, it reinforces the theme of **God's absolute sovereignty** over all aspects of life, including health, prosperity, and national destiny, asserting His ultimate authority to bless or to curse.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wonderful (פָּלָא, _pala'_):** This Hebrew verb means "to be distinct, separate, difficult, extraordinary, wonderful." In this context, it does not convey a sense of pleasantness or delight, but rather something awe-inspiring, extraordinary, or beyond human comprehension and capacity. When applied to God's actions, it often signifies His miraculous or mighty deeds, whether in salvation or judgment. Here, it describes plagues that are uniquely severe, astonishing in their intensity and scope, demonstrating God's immense power and justice in a terrifying manner, similar to how His judgments in Egypt were "wonderful" ([Exodus 9:14](/exodus/9-14 "Exodus 9:14 - God's Wonders in Egypt")).
* **Plagues (מַכָּה, _makkah'_):** Derived from the verb "to strike," this noun refers to a blow, a wound, or a pestilence. It is frequently used in the Old Testament to denote divine judgments, particularly those involving physical affliction or widespread disaster. The repetition of "plagues" in the verse emphasizes the multitude and varied nature of the afflictions, encompassing a broad range of calamities that God would bring upon the disobedient.
* **Long continuance (נֶאֱמָנָה, _ne'emanah'_):** This word comes from the root _aman_, meaning "to be firm, trustworthy, reliable, enduring." When applied to the plagues, it signifies their certainty, persistence, and reliability. These are not fleeting or temporary setbacks but afflictions that would be firmly established and would endure for a significant, prolonged period, highlighting the sustained and devastating nature of the divine judgment.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful":** This opening clause unequivocally states the divine agent of judgment—the LORD Himself. The phrase "make thy plagues wonderful" signifies that the afflictions brought upon Israel will not be ordinary misfortunes but extraordinary, astonishing, and terrifying demonstrations of God's power and righteous indignation, far surpassing any natural calamity or human-inflicted suffering.
* **"and the plagues of thy seed":** The judgment is not limited to the current generation but extends to their descendants, indicating a severe, intergenerational consequence for covenant infidelity. This highlights the long-reaching impact of national disobedience and the enduring nature of God's covenant curses.
* **"[even] great plagues, and of long continuance":** This phrase intensifies the description of the "wonderful" plagues. "Great" emphasizes their immense scale, severity, and devastating impact. "And of long continuance" reiterates that these plagues will not be brief or easily overcome but will be firmly established and persist for an extended period, signifying sustained suffering and hardship.
* **"and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance":** This final clause specifies a particular form of the plagues: "sore sicknesses." This indicates severe, painful, and debilitating diseases. The repetition of "and of long continuance" underscores that these illnesses, like the broader plagues, will be chronic and enduring, adding a dimension of prolonged physical suffering to the comprehensive judgment.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 28:59 employs several potent literary devices to convey the gravity of divine judgment. **Repetition** is prominent, with "plagues" appearing multiple times and "of long continuance" being repeated twice, creating a sense of overwhelming magnitude and inescapable duration. This repetition serves to impress upon the hearers the certainty and persistence of the threatened calamities. **Hyperbole** and **Intensification** are evident in the use of terms like "wonderful," "great," and "sore sicknesses," which are not meant to be taken literally as pleasant or mild, but rather to convey an extreme, unprecedented, and terrifying level of affliction. The "wonderful" nature of the plagues is a form of **irony**, as it refers to their astonishing and dreadful severity rather than any positive quality. Furthermore, the explicit mention of "the LORD will make" highlights **Divine Agency**, emphasizing that these are not random misfortunes but direct, intentional acts of God's justice. The overall structure contributes to a sense of **climax**, as this verse comes deep within the escalating list of curses, representing a peak of promised suffering for profound disobedience.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 28:59 profoundly articulates God's unwavering holiness and His commitment to covenant fidelity. It reveals a God who takes sin seriously, demonstrating that disobedience to His revealed will carries severe and lasting consequences. While the specific curses were tied to the Mosaic Covenant and the nation of Israel, the underlying theological principle remains: God is just, and He will not tolerate rebellion indefinitely. This verse serves as a sober reminder that God's character includes both immense love and righteous judgment, and that His warnings are not idle threats but expressions of His truth and authority. It underscores the profound seriousness of our relationship with the Creator and the necessity of walking in obedience to His commands.

* [Leviticus 26:14-39](/leviticus/26-14 "Leviticus 26:14-39 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Jeremiah 11:8](/jeremiah/11-8 "Jeremiah 11:8 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Romans 2:5-9](/romans/2-5 "Romans 2:5-9 - God's Righteous Judgment")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 28:59, though rooted in the specific context of the Mosaic Covenant, offers timeless principles for reflection and application. It compels us to consider the gravity of sin and the righteousness of God. While believers today live under the New Covenant of grace, the principle that actions have consequences remains immutable. This verse should foster a healthy fear of God, not a cowering dread, but a profound reverence for His holiness and justice, motivating us to live in humble submission and obedience. It calls us to examine our own lives for areas of rebellion or indifference to God's will, prompting repentance and a renewed commitment to walk in His ways. Ultimately, it directs us to appreciate the immense grace found in Christ, who bore the curse of sin on our behalf, offering forgiveness and reconciliation where only judgment would otherwise remain.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's justice in Deuteronomy 28:59 deepen your appreciation for His mercy and grace in Christ?**
* **In what ways might we, even as New Covenant believers, experience "consequences" for disobedience, not as curses of the Law, but as natural outcomes or divine discipline intended to draw us back to God?**
* **What does this verse teach us about the seriousness with which God views our commitment and loyalty to Him?**
* **How can the warnings of judgment in Scripture motivate us towards greater holiness and a more fervent pursuit of God's will?**

### FAQ
**What does "make thy plagues wonderful" truly mean in this context?**

Answer: In Deuteronomy 28:59, "wonderful" (Hebrew: _pala'_) does not mean pleasant or delightful. Instead, it conveys the idea of something extraordinary, astonishing, or beyond human comprehension and capacity. When the LORD makes plagues "wonderful," it means they will be uniquely severe, terrifying, and awe-inspiring in their devastating power, far exceeding any ordinary human suffering or natural disaster. It signifies that these judgments are undeniably from God, demonstrating His immense power and righteous indignation against covenant infidelity, much like the "wonders" (plagues) He inflicted upon Egypt in [Exodus 9:14](/exodus/9-14 "Exodus 9:14 - God's Wonders in Egypt").

**Were these curses literal, and did they actually happen to Israel?**

Answer: Yes, the curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28 were indeed literal and historically experienced by the nation of Israel when they strayed from God's covenant. Throughout their history, from the period of the Judges to the divided monarchy and ultimately the exiles to Assyria and Babylon, Israel suffered various forms of these curses, including famine, disease, military defeat, and dispersion, precisely because of their persistent disobedience and idolatry. Prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel often pointed back to these covenant curses as the explanation for the nation's suffering ([Jeremiah 11:8](/jeremiah/11-8 "Jeremiah 11:8 - Consequences of Disobedience")). These historical events serve as powerful testimonies to the faithfulness of God in upholding both His promises of blessing and His warnings of judgment.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Deuteronomy 28:59 details the severe consequences of covenant disobedience under the Law, its ultimate fulfillment and resolution are found in Jesus Christ. The "plagues wonderful" and "sore sicknesses, and of long continuance" represent the comprehensive curse of the Law, the full weight of God's righteous judgment against sin. Yet, the New Testament reveals that Christ became a curse for us, redeeming us from the curse of the Law ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse")). On the cross, Jesus, the spotless Lamb of God, bore the full measure of divine wrath and the ultimate "plague" for humanity's sin, experiencing separation from God so that we might be reconciled to Him. His suffering and death were the "wonderful" and "great" judgment for sin, but uniquely, they were borne by Him on our behalf, not inflicted upon us. Through His atoning sacrifice, the power of sin to bring lasting plagues and sickness unto eternal death is broken for those who believe ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin and Gift of God")). In Christ, we are offered a New Covenant, not based on our perfect obedience to the Law, but on grace through faith, where forgiveness and healing—both spiritual and often physical—are freely given, transforming the prospect of enduring judgment into the promise of eternal life and fellowship with God ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - The Superiority of the New Covenant")).

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.