Deuteronomy 28:60

KJV

Moreover he will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Moreover he will bring {H7725} upon thee all the diseases {H4064} of Egypt {H4714}, which thou wast afraid {H3025} of {H6440}; and they shall cleave {H1692} unto thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

He will bring back upon you all the diseases the Egyptians had, which you were in dread of; and they will cling to you.

Berean Standard Bible

He will afflict you again with all the diseases you dreaded in Egypt, and they will cling to you.

American Standard Version

And he will bring upon thee again all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 28:60 is a potent warning within the covenant curses, explicitly detailing the dire consequences of Israel's disobedience to God's commands. It threatens the re-imposition of the very diseases and afflictions that plagued Egypt, from which God had miraculously delivered them, underscoring the severity and inescapable nature of divine judgment for forsaking the covenant path. This verse highlights the ironic reversal of deliverance, where past fears become present realities due to rebellion.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 28 stands as the climactic chapter of Moses' second discourse to Israel, delivered just before their entry into the Promised Land. It functions as a solemn, comprehensive exposition of the Mosaic Covenant, meticulously detailing the blessings for obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) and the curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). Verse 60 is situated deep within the curses section, specifically among the most severe and pervasive judgments, following a litany of afflictions like famine, defeat in battle, and exile. Its placement emphasizes the escalating nature of God's judgment, culminating in a state worse than the bondage from which they were freed, serving as a stark counterpoint to the initial promises of health and prosperity found in earlier covenant stipulations.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The phrase "diseases of Egypt" would have resonated deeply with the Israelites, invoking vivid memories of the plagues God inflicted upon their oppressors during the Exodus. These included specific afflictions like boils and blains (`/exodus/9-9`), but also likely referred to the endemic diseases prevalent in the Nile Delta region, such as various fevers, skin ailments, and parasitic infections, which the Israelites would have witnessed or experienced before their deliverance. The threat of these specific diseases returning served as a powerful psychological deterrent, reminding them of the very suffering from which God had redeemed them. It highlighted the cultural understanding that illness could be a sign of divine displeasure, contrasting sharply with the divine protection promised to those who obeyed the Lord's statutes.

* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 28:60 powerfully contributes to several key themes pervasive throughout the book of Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. It underscores the theme of **Covenant Fidelity and Divine Retribution**, demonstrating that God is faithful not only to His promises of blessing but also to His warnings of judgment. Disobedience is not met with apathy but with just consequences, reflecting the sanctity of the covenant relationship. Furthermore, the verse highlights the **Reversal of Deliverance**, where the very acts of God's salvation (freedom from Egyptian bondage and its associated afflictions) are ironically undone by Israel's rebellion, leading to a state of renewed suffering. This reinforces the theme of **Consequences of Choice**, emphasizing that Israel's destiny—whether blessing or curse—was directly tied to their adherence to the covenant, as warned in passages like [Deuteronomy 30:19](/deuteronomy/30-19 "Deuteronomy 30:19 - Choose Life"). The phrase "they shall cleave unto thee" also introduces the theme of **Persistent Affliction**, signifying a pervasive, inescapable, and long-lasting judgment, contrasting with the positive "cleaving" to God encouraged in [Deuteronomy 10:20](/deuteronomy/10-20 "Deuteronomy 10:20 - Cleaving to the Lord").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Diseases (Hebrew, _machalah'_):** This term (מַחֲלָה) is a general word for sickness, illness, or disease. In this context, it is intensified by its association with "Egypt," implying not just common ailments but severe, often debilitating, and potentially epidemic afflictions. The use of the plural "diseases" suggests a comprehensive and varied array of physical sufferings, representing a complete reversal of the health and vitality promised in the covenant blessings.
* **Afraid of (Hebrew, _yare'_):** The verb (יָרֵא) means to fear, be afraid, or stand in awe. Here, it points to the deep-seated terror and trauma associated with the plagues and endemic illnesses witnessed by Israel during their time in Egypt. By threatening to bring back what they "were afraid of," God taps into their collective memory and psychological vulnerability, making the warning profoundly personal and impactful.
* **Cleave unto thee (Hebrew, _dabaq'_):** The verb (דָּבַק) means to cling, stick, adhere, or be joined. This word is crucial for understanding the nature of the curse. It implies not a transient sickness but a persistent, inescapable, and deeply embedded affliction. Unlike a passing illness, these diseases would "cleave" to them, becoming an integral and pervasive part of their existence, symbolizing a profound and inescapable divine judgment. This is a stark contrast to the positive sense of "cleaving" to the Lord, which signifies loyalty and devotion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Moreover he will bring upon thee":** The subject "he" refers to Yahweh, God Himself. This emphasizes that the curses are not random misfortunes but direct, intentional acts of divine judgment. God is actively involved in upholding the covenant, both in blessing and in consequence. This highlights His sovereignty and His commitment to the terms of His agreement with Israel.
* **"all the diseases of Egypt":** This phrase is highly specific and evocative. It refers to the historical plagues that God inflicted upon Egypt (e.g., boils, pestilence) and also to the various endemic illnesses common to the region. The inclusion of "all" suggests a comprehensive and overwhelming return of these dreaded afflictions, signifying a complete reversal of the miraculous deliverance from Egypt.
* **"which thou wast afraid of":** This clause adds a profound psychological dimension to the curse. It reminds Israel of the terror and suffering they witnessed or experienced during their bondage, from which God had mercifully protected them. The threat is not merely of physical sickness but of the return of past trauma and fear, making the judgment deeply personal and ironic.
* **"and they shall cleave unto thee":** This final clause underscores the persistent and inescapable nature of the judgment. The diseases will not be temporary but will "cling" to Israel, becoming a pervasive and enduring reality. This signifies a profound and lasting state of affliction, symbolizing a deep-seated spiritual and physical malaise resulting from sustained rebellion against God's covenant.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 28:60 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its message. **Irony** is prominent, as God threatens to bring back the very "diseases of Egypt" from which He had miraculously delivered Israel. This reversal highlights the profound consequences of rejecting divine grace and returning to a state worse than their former bondage. The phrase "all the diseases of Egypt" also functions as **Hyperbole**, representing not just a few specific illnesses but the totality of severe, debilitating afflictions, emphasizing the overwhelming nature of the impending judgment. Furthermore, the diseases serve as **Symbolism**, representing not only physical ailments but also the spiritual decay, national weakness, and societal breakdown that would accompany Israel's departure from God. The concept of diseases "cleaving" to them creates a vivid image of pervasive, inescapable suffering, akin to a parasitic attachment. Finally, the entire chapter, including this verse, is a prime example of **Retribution Theology**, where actions (obedience or disobedience) are directly met with corresponding divine consequences (blessings or curses).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 28:60 serves as a stark reminder of God's absolute holiness and His unyielding commitment to His covenant. It underscores the profound truth that sin and disobedience carry severe, often physical, consequences, demonstrating that God is not to be trifled with. This verse illustrates the principle of sowing and reaping, where turning away from the source of life and health leads to decay and affliction. It highlights God's justice in allowing His people to experience the very things they sought to escape by rejecting His protective hand. The specific mention of "diseases of Egypt" also connects to the broader biblical narrative of God's power over creation and His use of natural phenomena, including disease, as instruments of His will, whether for judgment or for deliverance. It is a powerful testament to the seriousness of covenant obligations and the ultimate futility of seeking life apart from God.

* [Leviticus 26:14-16](/leviticus/26-14 "Leviticus 26:14-16 - Covenant Curses for Disobedience")
* [Amos 4:10](/amos/4-10 "Amos 4:10 - God Sends Plagues as Judgment")
* [Galatians 6:7](/galatians/6-7 "Galatians 6:7 - The Principle of Sowing and Reaping")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 28:60, while a warning from an ancient covenant, holds timeless spiritual truths for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that our choices have profound consequences, both individually and corporately. Just as Israel's disobedience invited a return to the very afflictions from which they were delivered, our spiritual rebellion can lead us back to patterns of brokenness, fear, and spiritual decay from which Christ has set us free. This verse challenges us to seriously consider the protective nature of God's commands; His boundaries are not arbitrary restrictions but loving guidelines designed for our flourishing and freedom. When we disregard His wisdom, we often find ourselves vulnerable to the "diseases" of sin, anxiety, and despair that "cleave" to us, hindering our walk with God. Therefore, this passage calls for a deep introspection into our obedience, urging us to cling faithfully to the Lord, recognizing that true life and freedom are found only in submission to His will and trust in His provision.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly drifting away from God's commands, and what "diseases" or negative consequences might that disobedience invite?**
* **How does understanding the severity of God's warnings in the Old Testament deepen my appreciation for the grace and mercy offered in Christ?**
* **What does it mean for me to "cleave" to the Lord today, and how does that commitment protect me from spiritual affliction?**

### FAQ
**Why does God threaten to bring back the "diseases of Egypt" specifically?**

Answer: The specific threat of "diseases of Egypt" is deeply rooted in Israel's historical memory and serves multiple purposes. First, it refers to the literal plagues God sent upon Egypt during the Exodus, which the Israelites witnessed firsthand and were miraculously spared from (e.g., the plague of boils and blains in [Exodus 9:9-11](/exodus/9-9 "Exodus 9:9-11 - The Plague of Boils")). These were terrifying and devastating. Second, it likely includes endemic diseases common to the Nile region, which the Israelites would have encountered during their long sojourn there. By threatening to bring back these specific afflictions, God reminds them of the very suffering from which He delivered them, making the irony and severity of their potential disobedience profoundly clear. It underscores that rejecting their Deliverer would lead them back to a state worse than their former bondage, reversing the very act of salvation.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Deuteronomy 28:60 details the grim consequences of covenant disobedience under the Old Covenant, its ultimate fulfillment and resolution are found in Jesus Christ. The "diseases of Egypt" and the curses of the law represent the pervasive and inescapable reality of sin and its effects, which "cleave" to humanity, leading to spiritual death and physical decay ([Romans 6:23](/romans/6-23 "Romans 6:23 - The Wages of Sin")). However, Christ, as the ultimate Lamb of God, bore the full weight of the law's curse on our behalf, becoming a curse for us to redeem us from its power ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeems Us from the Curse of the Law")). He did not merely heal physical diseases during His earthly ministry, but His miracles were signs of His authority over all the consequences of sin, fulfilling prophecies like [Isaiah 53:4](/isaiah/53-4 "Isaiah 53:4 - Christ Bears Our Sicknesses") which states, "Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows." Through His atoning sacrifice, Jesus offers deliverance from the ultimate "disease" of sin and its eternal consequences, providing not just temporary relief but eternal life and spiritual health ([John 10:10](/john/10-10 "John 10:10 - Jesus Gives Abundant Life")). In Him, the blessings of the new covenant, characterized by forgiveness, healing, and intimate fellowship with God, are made available, offering a complete reversal of the curses of disobedience and inviting believers to "cleave" to Him in faith and love ([John 15:4](/john/15-4 "John 15:4 - Abide in Me")).

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 7:15

And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all [them] that hate thee.

Exodus 15:26

And said, If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the LORD thy God, and wilt do that which is right in his sight, and wilt give ear to his commandments, and keep all his statutes, I will put none of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I [am] the LORD that healeth thee.

Deuteronomy 28:27

The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.