Deuteronomy 28:68

KJV

And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy [you].

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} shall bring {H7725} thee into Egypt {H4714} again {H7725} with ships {H591}, by the way {H1870} whereof I spake {H559} unto thee, Thou shalt see {H7200} it no more again {H3254}: and there ye shall be sold {H4376} unto your enemies {H341} for bondmen {H5650} and bondwomen {H8198}, and no man shall buy {H7069} you.

Complete Jewish Bible

Finally, ADONAI will bring you back in ships to Egypt, the place of which I said to you, 'You will never ever see it again'; and there you will try to sell yourselves as slaves to your enemies, but no one will buy you."

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD will return you to Egypt in ships by a route that I said you should never see again. There you will sell yourselves to your enemies as male and female slaves, but no one will buy you.”

American Standard Version

And Jehovah will bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I said unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall sell yourselves unto your enemies for bondmen and for bondwomen, and no man shall buy you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 28:68 serves as the climactic and most dire warning within the covenant curses, prophesying a complete reversal of Israel's foundational redemption from Egyptian bondage. It foretells a future where, due to persistent disobedience, the LORD Himself would return His people to a state of slavery in Egypt, or a similar place of oppression, transported by ships, where they would be sold into utter subjugation to their enemies, with no hope of human redemption or purchase. This verse underscores the profound seriousness of God's covenant and the devastating consequences of national apostasy, highlighting a state of ultimate despair and divine judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse concludes the extensive list of curses outlined in [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - The Curses for Disobedience"), which stands in stark contrast to the blessings promised for obedience in [Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1 "Deuteronomy 28:1-14 - The Blessings for Obedience"). The entire chapter forms a crucial part of Moses' farewell discourse to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. It functions as a solemn covenant renewal ceremony, impressing upon the new generation the absolute necessity of fidelity to the LORD. Verse 68, by its very position at the end of this terrifying litany, represents the ultimate, most severe, and seemingly irreversible consequence of covenant breaking, a final, chilling warning of total national devastation and loss of identity.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is Israel's liberation from slavery in Egypt, a defining event that shaped their national identity and their understanding of God as Redeemer. The command to "never see the Egyptians again" ([Exodus 14:13](/exodus/14-13 "Exodus 14:13 - God's Deliverance at the Red Sea")) was a divine guarantee of permanent freedom. To be threatened with a return to Egypt, and specifically by "ships," would have evoked profound dread. Maritime transport for slaves was common in the ancient world, often signifying a long, arduous, and inescapable journey to a foreign land, far from any possibility of rescue or return. The concept of being "sold" into slavery was a familiar reality, but the added horror of "no man shall buy [you]" speaks to an unprecedented level of degradation, implying either an overwhelming number of slaves, their utter worthlessness in the eyes of potential buyers, or, more devastatingly, no one left to redeem them.

* **Key Themes:** [Deuteronomy 28:68](/deuteronomy/28-68 "Deuteronomy 28:68 - The Ultimate Curse") encapsulates several major theological themes found throughout [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy "The Book of Deuteronomy - Moses' Farewell Discourses"):
* **Divine Judgment and Consequences:** The verse vividly illustrates the severe and direct consequences of persistent covenant disobedience. It underscores that God's warnings are not idle threats but carry the weight of divine justice, demonstrating that turning away from the LORD leads to profound suffering and loss of divine favor.
* **Reversal of the Exodus:** This curse represents the ultimate ironic reversal of Israel's foundational redemption narrative. Instead of being miraculously led out of bondage by God's mighty hand, they would be forcibly returned to a state of slavery, undoing their national liberation and returning them to the very place of their deepest oppression. This highlights the preciousness of their initial deliverance and the horror of its undoing.
* **Utter Bondage and Hopelessness:** The phrase "sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen" describes a state of complete subjugation and loss of freedom. The chilling addition, "and no man shall buy [you]," signifies an extreme level of degradation, despair, and the absence of any human means of redemption. It implies a total lack of value and an insurmountable plight, emphasizing that without God's intervention, their situation would be utterly hopeless. This contrasts sharply with God's own act of [redeeming Israel from Egypt](/exodus/6-6 "Exodus 6:6 - God's Redemption of Israel") in the first place.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Egypt again (Hebrew, מִצְרַיִם, _Mitsrayim_):** This phrase is laden with profound historical and theological irony. "Egypt" represents the quintessential land of bondage and oppression from which Yahweh had miraculously delivered Israel. The promise was that they would "never see them again" ([Exodus 14:13](/exodus/14-13 "Exodus 14:13 - God's Deliverance at the Red Sea")). To be brought "again" to Egypt signifies a complete and devastating reversal of their national identity and divine redemption. It is a return to the very crucible of their suffering, implying that their disobedience would negate the greatest act of salvation in their history.
* **ships (Hebrew, אֳנִיּוֹת, _oniyyot_):** The mention of "ships" is significant. Unlike their original overland exodus, this mode of transport suggests a forced, distant, and perhaps even transatlantic deportation. It implies a journey over water, separating them irrevocably from their land and their past, often associated with the slave trade in the ancient world. It symbolizes a foreign, inescapable, and utterly dehumanizing journey into a new, profound, and perhaps even more severe form of bondage, far from the familiar routes of return.
* **no man shall buy [you] (Hebrew, אֵין קֹנֶה, _ein qoneh_):** This is arguably the most chilling and devastating clause in the verse. The Hebrew verb קָנָה (_qanah_) means "to acquire," "to buy," or "to redeem." In the context of slavery, it refers to purchasing a slave, often with the implicit hope of eventual freedom or a master's care. The declaration "no man shall buy [you]" signifies an ultimate state of worthlessness, degradation, and utter hopelessness. It implies that their plight would be so extreme, their numbers so vast, or their condition so undesirable, that no one would even be willing to purchase them, let alone redeem them. This stands in stark contrast to God, who had "bought" or "redeemed" Israel out of Egypt ([Exodus 15:16](/exodus/15-16 "Exodus 15:16 - God's Redemption of Israel")). It means there would be no human deliverer, no one to offer relief or restoration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships":** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine agency behind the judgment. It is not merely a natural consequence but a direct act of God, underscoring His sovereignty over history and His commitment to covenant enforcement. The return to "Egypt again" by "ships" signifies a forced, humiliating, and irreversible reversal of their Exodus experience, implying a deep, foreign, and inescapable form of captivity.
* **"by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again":** This parenthetical phrase serves as a powerful reminder of God's original promise and the profound irony of the curse. It directly references [Exodus 14:13](/exodus/14-13 "Exodus 14:13 - God's Promise at the Red Sea"), where Moses declared, "the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again." This highlights the magnitude of their disobedience; they would be returned to the very place from which God had promised permanent deliverance, a testament to the severity of their covenant breach.
* **"and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy [you].":** This final, devastating clause details the nature of their renewed bondage. They would not merely be captives but "sold" as property, utterly dehumanized. The phrase "for bondmen and bondwomen" emphasizes a total national enslavement, affecting all, regardless of age or gender. The concluding "and no man shall buy [you]" is the ultimate expression of despair, signifying that their condition would be so dire, their value so diminished, or their numbers so overwhelming, that no human agent would be able or willing to offer redemption. It implies a state of absolute, irredeemable hopelessness from a human perspective.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 28:68 is rich in literary devices that amplify its impact. The most prominent is **Irony**, as the curse directly reverses the foundational redemptive act of the Exodus. God, who delivered Israel from Egypt, now threatens to return them there, negating His own past mercy due to their unfaithfulness. This creates a profound sense of tragic irony. **Hyperbole** is evident in the phrase "no man shall buy [you]," which, while potentially literal in some contexts, also serves to emphasize the extreme and seemingly insurmountable nature of their future degradation and hopelessness. It is an exaggerated statement to convey the utter despair of their situation. Furthermore, **Symbolism** is present, with "Egypt" symbolizing a state of ultimate oppression and bondage, and "ships" symbolizing a foreign, inescapable, and dehumanizing journey into captivity. The entire verse functions as a powerful **Antithesis** to the blessings of the covenant, painting a stark picture of the consequences of disobedience versus the rewards of faithfulness.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 28:68 stands as a stark testament to the seriousness of God's covenant with Israel and the dire consequences of national apostasy. It underscores the principle that divine judgment follows persistent disobedience, even for a people chosen by God. This verse reveals God's commitment to His covenant, both in blessing and in curse, demonstrating that His holiness demands justice. It also highlights the preciousness of true freedom, which is found in faithful relationship with God, and the profound despair that results from being cut off from His favor and protection. The "no man shall buy you" clause powerfully foreshadows humanity's inherent inability to redeem itself from sin and its consequences, pointing to the necessity of a divine redeemer.

* [Leviticus 26:36-39](/leviticus/26-36 "Leviticus 26:36-39 - Consequences of Disobedience")
* [Jeremiah 32:37](/jeremiah/32-37 "Jeremiah 32:37 - God's Promise to Gather Israel")
* [Luke 21:20-24](/luke/21-20 "Luke 21:20-24 - Prophecy of Jerusalem's Destruction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 28:68, while specific to ancient Israel's covenant, carries profound spiritual principles for believers today. It serves as a sobering reminder that persistent disobedience to God's revealed will can lead to severe spiritual consequences, a form of "bondage" to sin, destructive patterns, or the loss of God's manifest favor and blessing. Just as Israel faced a potential return to physical slavery, believers can find themselves enslaved by habits, desires, or worldly systems when they stray from God's path. The "no man shall buy you" clause resonates deeply, highlighting the ultimate inability of human effort, wisdom, or resources to truly liberate us from the deepest forms of spiritual bondage – sin and death. This verse magnifies the incredible grace of God, who, unlike the hopelessness described here, has provided the ultimate Redeemer in Christ, offering freedom where no human could. It calls us to a vigilant and grateful adherence to God's new covenant, recognizing the immense cost of our redemption and the preciousness of the liberty we have in Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be experiencing a "return to Egypt" – a subtle or overt form of bondage due to disobedience or neglect of God's word?**
* **How does the phrase "no man shall buy you" deepen my appreciation for the unique and ultimate redemption offered by Christ?**
* **What specific steps can I take to live more fully in the freedom and blessings of the New Covenant, actively resisting spiritual "slavery"?**
* **How does this verse challenge my assumptions about the consequences of sin, both for individuals and for communities?**

### FAQ
**What is the historical fulfillment of Deuteronomy 28:68?**

Answer: While some interpretations have controversially linked this verse to the transatlantic slave trade due to the mention of "ships" and being "sold," the primary historical fulfillments understood by biblical scholars relate to the various exiles and dispersals of the Jewish people throughout history. The Babylonian exile, where many were taken captive and dispersed ([Jeremiah 32:37](/jeremiah/32-37 "Jeremiah 32:37 - God's Promise to Gather Israel")), is a significant example. Most prominently, the Roman dispersion after 70 AD, following the destruction of Jerusalem, saw hundreds of thousands of Jews sold into slavery across the Roman Empire, often transported by ship across the Mediterranean. In this context, "Egypt" can be understood symbolically as any place of oppressive bondage and "ships" as the means of distant, forced deportation. The phrase "no man shall buy you" speaks to the utter degradation and lack of a human deliverer during these periods of intense suffering and dispersion.

**Does this verse mean God wants to punish people?**

Answer: This verse, within the context of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"), reveals God's covenant faithfulness, which includes both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. It's not about God arbitrarily wanting to punish, but about the inherent consequences of breaking a solemn covenant with a holy God. The curses serve as a warning, designed to motivate Israel to loyalty and prevent them from experiencing such dire outcomes. They demonstrate that God takes sin seriously and that turning away from Him leads to a loss of His protection and favor, resulting in suffering. Ultimately, God's desire is for His people's flourishing and obedience, as seen in the blessings section, but He also reveals the severe repercussions of persistent rebellion.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 28:68, with its chilling prophecy of a return to slavery and the declaration "no man shall buy [you]," profoundly magnifies the redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Humanity, enslaved by sin and death, found itself in a state where "no man" could offer true, lasting redemption. No human effort, no amount of good works, no sacrifice of animals, could truly purchase freedom from the spiritual bondage that held humanity captive ([Romans 7:14](/romans/7-14 "Romans 7:14 - Enslaved to Sin")). It was precisely into this hopeless scenario that Christ entered. He is the divine "buyer" and Redeemer, the one who paid the ultimate price – His own precious blood – to purchase us out of the slavery of sin and the curse of the law ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law"); [1 Peter 1:18-19](/1_peter/1-18 "1 Peter 1:18-19 - Redeemed by Christ's Precious Blood")). Unlike the despair of Deuteronomy 28:68, where no human could offer salvation, Christ's sacrifice provides complete and eternal liberation, setting us free from every form of spiritual bondage and bringing us into the glorious liberty of the children of God ([Galatians 5:1](/galatians/5-1 "Galatians 5:1 - Freedom in Christ")). He is the true Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, offering redemption where humanity was utterly bankrupt ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")).

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 44:12

And I will take the remnant of Judah, that have set their faces to go into the land of Egypt to sojourn there, and they shall all be consumed, [and] fall in the land of Egypt; they shall [even] be consumed by the sword [and] by the famine: they shall die, from the least even unto the greatest, by the sword and by the famine: and they shall be an execration, [and] an astonishment, and a curse, and a reproach.

Hosea 9:3

They shall not dwell in the LORD'S land; but Ephraim shall return to Egypt, and they shall eat unclean [things] in Assyria.

Jeremiah 43:7

So they came into the land of Egypt: for they obeyed not the voice of the LORD: thus came they [even] to Tahpanhes.

Hosea 8:13

They sacrifice flesh [for] the sacrifices of mine offerings, and eat [it; but] the LORD accepteth them not; now will he remember their iniquity, and visit their sins: they shall return to Egypt.

Deuteronomy 17:16

But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the LORD hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.

Luke 21:24

And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

Joel 3:3

And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink.