Deuteronomy 28:62

KJV

And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God.

KJV (with Strong's)

And ye shall be left {H7604} few {H4592} in number {H4962}, whereas {H834} ye were as the stars {H3556} of heaven {H8064} for multitude {H7230}; because thou wouldest not obey {H8085} the voice {H6963} of the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}.

Complete Jewish Bible

You will be left few in number, whereas you were once as numerous as the stars in the sky -because you did not pay attention to the voice of ADONAI your God.

Berean Standard Bible

You who were as numerous as the stars in the sky will be left few in number, because you would not obey the voice of the LORD your God.

American Standard Version

And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou didst not hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 28:62 delivers a stark prophetic warning within the covenant curses, foretelling a dramatic demographic reversal for the nation of Israel. It powerfully contrasts God's foundational promise of innumerable descendants, likening them to the stars of heaven, with the devastating reality of being "left few in number." This profound reversal of divine blessing is explicitly attributed to Israel's persistent and deliberate disobedience to the voice of the LORD their God, underscoring the severe consequences of covenant infidelity and the unwavering justice of God.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 28:62 is strategically positioned within the climactic section of Moses's valedictory address to Israel, specifically as part of the extensive list of curses (Deuteronomy 28:15-68) that would befall the nation if they failed to uphold the Mosaic Covenant. This chapter stands in stark contrast to the blessings promised for obedience in [Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1-14 "Deuteronomy 28:1-14 - Blessings for Obedience"). The verses immediately preceding Deuteronomy 28:62 detail various forms of divine judgment, including siege, famine, and even cannibalism, painting a grim picture of national collapse and societal breakdown. This particular verse focuses on the demographic devastation, serving as a direct antithesis to the foundational promises of multiplication given to the patriarchs. It functions as a culmination of the warnings, emphasizing the complete and tragic reversal of their blessed status as God's chosen people.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Moses delivered this pivotal address on the plains of Moab, on the cusp of Israel's entry into the Promised Land. The generation that had wandered in the wilderness was poised to transition from a nomadic existence to settled agricultural communities. The covenant stipulations, encompassing both blessings and curses, were meticulously designed to establish the terms of their relationship with Yahweh as they prepared to occupy and live in the land. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, large families and numerous descendants were universally regarded as unequivocal signs of divine favor, prosperity, and national strength. Conversely, a reduction in population signaled divine displeasure, weakness, and impending doom. Thus, the threat of being "left few in number" was not merely a demographic prediction but a profoundly potent and terrifying curse, striking at the very core of their identity, security, and future as God's chosen people, directly reversing the promise that brought them into existence.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully underscores several major themes prevalent throughout Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Consequences**, demonstrating that God is utterly faithful to His covenant promises, not only in bestowing blessings for obedience but also in executing the promised judgments for disobedience. The curses are not arbitrary acts of wrath but are the just and predetermined consequences of breaking the covenant, emphasizing the **Gravity of Disobedience**. The explicit phrase "because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God" pinpoints the root cause of Israel's impending suffering, presenting disobedience as a profound, volitional rejection of God's authority and goodness. This stands in direct opposition to the path of life and prosperity offered through obedience, as detailed in [Deuteronomy 30:19-20](/deuteronomy/30-19-20 "Deuteronomy 30:19-20 - Choose Life and Prosperity"). Furthermore, the verse emphasizes **Divine Judgment and Discipline**, portraying God's judgment as a necessary, though painful, act intended to restore His people to Himself, even if it involves severe suffering and exile. Finally, the direct reference to being "as the stars of heaven for multitude" speaks to the theme of **The Promise Reversed**, highlighting the devastating impact of their rebellion on the foundational patriarchal promises given to Abraham in [Genesis 15:5](/genesis/15-5 "Genesis 15:5 - God's Promise to Abraham's Descendants") and reiterated to Jacob in [Genesis 35:11](/genesis/35-11 "Genesis 35:11 - God's Promise to Jacob").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Few (Hebrew, _mᵉʻaṭ'_):** This word (H4592) signifies a small number, a scarcity, or a remnant. In this context, it stands in stark and tragic contrast to the promised "multitude," emphasizing a severe and devastating reduction in population. It implies a state of weakness, vulnerability, and diminished influence, a direct reversal of the strength and prominence associated with a large and thriving population in the ancient world. The related term _math_ (H4962) further reinforces the idea of a diminished number of "men" or "persons."
* **Multitude (Hebrew, _rôb'_):** Derived from the root (H7230) meaning "to be great, many, abundant," this term describes an overwhelming, countless number. Here, it specifically links back to the divine promise of descendants as numerous as the stars of heaven. Its use underscores the profound irony and tragic loss experienced by Israel due to their disobedience, as they move from a state of superabundance and divine blessing to one of severe scarcity and judgment.
* **Obey (Hebrew, _shâmaʻ'_):** This verb (H8085) means "to hear intelligently," often carrying the implication of attentive listening that leads to action and compliance. It is a crucial and frequently used term in Deuteronomy, often translated as "hearken." The negative construction, "wouldest not obey," highlights a volitional, deliberate refusal to listen to and follow God's commands. This indicates a deep-seated rebellion of the heart and will, not merely an oversight or ignorance, making Israel morally culpable for their impending calamity.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And ye shall be left few in number":** This initial clause pronounces the specific judgment of demographic decimation upon Israel. It signifies a drastic reduction in their population, implying that many would perish through various means such as war, famine, disease, or forced exile, leaving only a small, vulnerable remnant. This outcome directly undermines the strength, security, and future viability of the nation.
* **"whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude":** This segment provides a powerful and poignant contrast, serving as a bitter reminder of God's original, unconditional promise to Abraham and his descendants. It recalls the vision of an innumerable progeny, a sign of immense divine favor and blessing. The juxtaposition of their glorious past potential with their grim future reality amplifies the severity of their fall from grace and the depth of their covenant infidelity.
* **"because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God":** This final clause unequivocally states the precise reason for the impending national disaster: Israel's deliberate and persistent disobedience. It attributes the national calamity not to arbitrary divine wrath, but to their failure to heed and comply with the covenant stipulations given by God. This emphasizes their moral culpability and underscores the just nature of God's judgment, where actions have direct and severe consequences.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 28:62 masterfully employs several literary devices to convey its powerful and sobering message. **Juxtaposition** is central to the verse's impact, starkly contrasting the glorious past promise ("as the stars of heaven for multitude") with the grim future reality ("left few in number"). This dramatic comparison amplifies the tragedy and the severity of the consequences of disobedience. The phrase "as the stars of heaven" is a vivid **Simile**, drawing upon a natural image of countlessness and cosmic order to represent the vastness of God's initial promise to Abraham. This particular simile also functions as a powerful **Allusion**, specifically referencing the foundational patriarchal promises found repeatedly in the book of Genesis. The entire verse functions as a form of **Prophecy** or **Foreshadowing**, predicting the future state of the nation as a direct and inevitable result of their actions. Finally, the concluding phrase, "because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God," serves as a direct **Causal Statement**, unequivocally assigning blame and emphasizing the immutable principle of divine justice: covenant actions have covenant consequences.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 28:62 profoundly illustrates the conditional nature of the Mosaic Covenant, where both blessings and curses are directly tied to Israel's obedience or disobedience. It underscores God's unwavering commitment to His covenant, demonstrating that He is faithful not only in bestowing blessings but also in executing the promised judgments when His people rebel. This verse highlights the gravity of rejecting God's word and the severe consequences that follow covenant infidelity, serving as a timeless reminder that spiritual flourishing and national well-being are contingent upon active submission to divine authority. While the specific demographic curse applied to ancient Israel, the underlying principle of God's justice and the repercussions of disobedience remain universally applicable in the spiritual realm.

* [Leviticus 26:33](/leviticus/26-33 "Leviticus 26:33 - Scattering Among the Nations")
* [Nehemiah 9:29-30](/nehemiah/9-29-30 "Nehemiah 9:29-30 - Israel's Disobedience and God's Patience")
* [Lamentations 1:1-3](/lamentations/1-1-3 "Lamentations 1:1-3 - Jerusalem's Desolation and Grief")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 28:62, though deeply rooted in the ancient Mosaic Covenant, carries profound spiritual lessons and calls for introspection for believers today. It serves as a powerful reminder that our relationship with God is not merely passive; it demands active, heartfelt, and sustained obedience to His revealed will. While believers are no longer under the curses of the Mosaic Law, the spiritual principle that disobedience can lead to a diminished experience of God's blessings, or even spiritual barrenness, remains profoundly true. Just as Israel's numerical decline reflected a spiritual and national decline, our own spiritual vitality and fruitfulness can wane significantly when we choose to disregard God's voice or neglect His commands. This verse challenges us to examine our hearts for any areas of rebellion, indifference, or spiritual apathy, urging us to cultivate a posture of humble submission and eager responsiveness to the Holy Spirit's leading. It reminds us that God's commands are always for our ultimate good, designed to lead us into a life of spiritual abundance, peace, and flourishing, and that turning away from them ultimately leads to a "fewness" of spiritual joy, intimacy with God, and fruitfulness in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what specific areas of my life might I be "disobeying the voice of the LORD my God," and what spiritual consequences might I be experiencing or inviting?**
* **How does this verse deepen my understanding of God's justice, His faithfulness to His word, and the importance of personal accountability?**
* **What concrete steps can I take this week to cultivate a more obedient, attentive, and responsive heart to God's leading in my daily life?**

### FAQ
**Was this prophecy literally fulfilled in Israel's history?**

Answer: Yes, the prophecy of being "left few in number" was tragically and literally fulfilled multiple times throughout Israel's history, serving as a stark testament to God's faithfulness to His covenant warnings. Most notably, this occurred during the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles. After the northern kingdom of Israel was conquered by Assyria in 722 BC, many of its inhabitants were deported to foreign lands, significantly reducing their numbers in the Promised Land. The southern kingdom of Judah faced a similar, even more devastating fate with the Babylonian exile in 586 BC, where a vast portion of the population was killed, enslaved, or forcibly exiled, leaving only a small, impoverished remnant in the land. Prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel vividly describe the devastation and the drastic reduction in population, directly linking it to the nation's persistent disobedience, as warned in passages such as [Jeremiah 25:8-11](/jeremiah/25-8-11 "Jeremiah 25:8-11 - Seventy Years of Babylonian Captivity"). This historical reality serves as a powerful and sobering testament to the truthfulness and gravity of God's warnings in Deuteronomy.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While Deuteronomy 28:62 speaks directly to the severe consequences of Israel's disobedience under the Old Covenant, its ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment points to the profound spiritual "fewness" of humanity apart from Christ, and the glorious "multitude" brought into God's family through Him. Humanity, in its inherent rebellion against God, became spiritually "few in number," cut off from the life of God, deserving of judgment, and utterly unable to fulfill the divine mandate to multiply spiritual fruit and reflect God's image. However, Jesus Christ, the perfectly obedient Son, perfectly fulfilled the Law and absorbed its curses on the cross, becoming the [Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Through His perfect obedience, even unto death, He inaugurated a New Covenant, inviting all who believe to be spiritually "multiplied" into God's family, becoming children of God not by physical descent or by obedience to the Law, but by faith in His name ([John 1:12](/john/1-12 "John 1:12 - Children of God by Faith in Jesus")). The promise of a multitude, once tied to Abraham's physical descendants and their conditional obedience, is now gloriously fulfilled in the vast, innumerable multitude of redeemed believers from every nation, tribe, people, and language who stand before the throne of God and the Lamb ([Revelation 7:9](/revelation/7-9 "Revelation 7:9 - The Great Multitude Before the Throne")). In Christ, the curse of "fewness" is undone, and the spiritual "multitude" of God's redeemed people is established, not by human merit or works of the Law, but by divine grace and the perfect, saving obedience of the [one Man, Jesus Christ](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Obedience of Christ").

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 4:27

And the LORD shall scatter you among the nations, and ye shall be left few in number among the heathen, whither the LORD shall lead you.

Nehemiah 9:23

Their children also multipliedst thou as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them into the land, concerning which thou hadst promised to their fathers, that they should go in to possess [it].

Deuteronomy 10:22

Thy fathers went down into Egypt with threescore and ten persons; and now the LORD thy God hath made thee as the stars of heaven for multitude.

Isaiah 24:6

Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.

Mark 13:20

And except that the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh should be saved: but for the elect's sake, whom he hath chosen, he hath shortened the days.

2 Kings 24:14

And he carried away all Jerusalem, and all the princes, and all the mighty men of valour, [even] ten thousand captives, and all the craftsmen and smiths: none remained, save the poorest sort of the people of the land.

Romans 9:27

Esaias also crieth concerning Israel, Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, a remnant shall be saved: