Deuteronomy 7:15

KJV

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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} will take away {H5493} from thee all sickness {H2483}, and will put {H7760} none of the evil {H7451} diseases {H4064} of Egypt {H4714}, which thou knowest {H3045}, upon thee; but will lay {H5414} them upon all them that hate {H8130} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI will remove all illness from you - he will not afflict you with any of Egypt's dreadful diseases, which you have known; instead, he will lay them on those who hate you.

Berean Standard Bible

And the LORD will remove from you all sickness. He will not lay upon you any of the terrible diseases you knew in Egypt, but He will inflict them on all who hate you.

American Standard Version

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

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 7:15 articulates a profound covenant promise from the LORD to Israel, assuring them of divine protection from all forms of sickness, specifically exempting them from the "evil diseases of Egypt" that were so familiar and dreadful. This blessing of health and well-being is contingent upon their faithfulness to God's commands, serving as a tangible manifestation of His covenant love. In stark contrast, the verse declares that these very afflictions will be laid upon those who oppose God's people, thereby highlighting God's righteous justice and His distinct, protective care for His chosen nation.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 7:15 is situated within Moses' second major address to the Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab as they stood poised to enter the Promised Land. This chapter is pivotal, serving as a detailed exposition of the unique covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel. It begins by emphasizing God's sovereign choice of Israel, not due to their greatness, but because of His steadfast love and faithfulness to the oath sworn to their ancestors ([Deuteronomy 7:6-8](/deuteronomy/7-6-8 "Deuteronomy 7:6-8 - God's Chosen People")). Consequently, Moses stresses the absolute necessity of Israel's separation from the idolatrous nations of Canaan, commanding their utter destruction to prevent spiritual defilement ([Deuteronomy 7:1-5](/deuteronomy/7-1-5 "Deuteronomy 7:1-5 - Command to Destroy Idolatrous Nations")). Verses 12-16 specifically delineate the abundant blessings that will accrue to Israel if they diligently obey God's commands, particularly concerning their commitment to the covenant and their rejection of pagan practices. The promise of protection from sickness in verse 15 is a key component of these promised blessings, reinforcing the tangible benefits of a faithful walk with God and contrasting sharply with the curses outlined later for disobedience, such as the various forms of disease and affliction detailed in [Deuteronomy 28:21-22](/deuteronomy/28-21-22 "Deuteronomy 28:21-22 - Curses of Disease").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The immediate historical backdrop for Deuteronomy is Israel's encampment on the plains of Moab, approximately forty years after their dramatic exodus from Egypt. The collective memory of Egyptian bondage and the devastating plagues that afflicted Egypt remained vivid in the minds of the Israelites, many of whom had either directly experienced or witnessed these divine judgments firsthand. The "diseases of Egypt" would have evoked powerful recollections of the severe skin diseases, boils, and other debilitating ailments that were endemic in Egypt and frequently associated with divine judgment, as seen in the plague of boils in [Exodus 9:9-11](/exodus/9-9-11 "Exodus 9:9-11 - The Plague of Boils"). Furthermore, in the broader ancient Near Eastern cultural milieu, health and prosperity were widely perceived as unequivocal indicators of divine favor and blessing, while sickness, misfortune, and barrenness were often interpreted as clear signs of divine displeasure or curse. This deeply ingrained cultural understanding significantly amplified the profound significance of God's promise to actively remove sickness and protect His people from the very afflictions that plagued their oppressors, thereby distinguishing Israel as a people under God's unique and special care.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 7:15 contributes significantly to several overarching theological and narrative themes woven throughout the book of Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates the theme of **Divine Sovereignty over Health and Disease**, portraying God as the ultimate source of well-being, the one who both inflicts and removes all forms of affliction. This echoes God's self-revelation to Israel as "the LORD who heals you" in [Exodus 15:26](/exodus/15-26 "Exodus 15:26 - God as Healer"). Secondly, the verse underscores the critical theme of **Covenant Blessings and Curses**, presenting physical health as a tangible blessing directly consequent upon covenant faithfulness, while implying that disobedience could lead to the very diseases from which Israel is promised deliverance. This theme is extensively developed and meticulously detailed in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"), which outlines the blessings for obedience and the curses for disobedience. Finally, the promise to "lay them upon all them that hate thee" highlights the theme of **Divine Justice and Retribution**, demonstrating God's active judgment against those who oppose His people and His divine will, thereby reinforcing Israel's unique status as His chosen nation and God's protective commitment to them.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Sickness (Hebrew, _chŏlîy'_):** From H2483, this term broadly refers to any form of malady, illness, or affliction. Its usage here signifies a comprehensive promise from God to remove all categories of physical ailment from His obedient people, indicating His desire for their holistic well-being and flourishing within the covenant.
* **Diseases (Hebrew, _madveh'_):** From H4064, this word, often appearing in the plural, denotes more specific, severe, or chronic ailments. The phrase "evil diseases of Egypt" points to the particularly dreadful and often fatal afflictions that characterized the land of Egypt, including the plagues and endemic conditions that the Israelites had witnessed or endured. The promise is not just against general illness but against the most dreaded and known afflictions, emphasizing divine protection from specific, severe scourges.
* **Hate (Hebrew, _sânêʼ'_):** From H8130, this primitive root verb signifies deep-seated animosity, hostility, and active opposition, often with malicious intent. When applied to those who "hate" God's people, it implies those who are fundamentally opposed to God's will and covenant purposes, thus deserving of divine judgment and the transference of the very curses Israel is spared from.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness":** This opening clause unequivocally establishes Yahweh as the active agent of healing and protection. The promise is comprehensive, suggesting a divine intervention to remove every kind of illness from the obedient community of Israel. It speaks directly to God's compassionate and sovereign care for the physical health and well-being of His covenant people, demonstrating His power to intervene in their physical lives.
* **"and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee":** This specific promise builds upon the general one, explicitly referencing the severe and notorious afflictions associated with Egypt. The phrase "which thou knowest" directly appeals to the Israelites' firsthand experience and collective memory of the devastating plagues and common ailments that afflicted their former oppressors. This makes the promise profoundly impactful and tangible, highlighting God's power to exempt His people from the very judgments He inflicted upon their enemies, underscoring His distinctive favor.
* **"but will lay them upon all [them] that hate thee":** This concluding clause reveals the retributive aspect of God's justice and His commitment to His covenant. The very diseases from which Israel is protected will be inflicted upon those who actively oppose them and, by extension, God Himself. This demonstrates God's unwavering commitment to His covenant people, distinguishing them sharply from their adversaries and affirming His role as a righteous judge who repays evil upon the wicked, ensuring justice for His chosen ones.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 7:15 effectively employs several literary devices to convey its powerful message of divine protection and judgment. **Contrast** is central to the verse, starkly setting the blessed state of obedient Israel (freedom from sickness) against the cursed state of their enemies (afflicted by the same diseases). This sharp juxtaposition underscores God's distinctive favor and righteous judgment. The phrase "all sickness" can be seen as a form of **Hyperbole** or **Generalization**, emphasizing the comprehensive and holistic nature of God's protective promise, even if individual Israelites might still experience minor ailments in a fallen world. The explicit mention of "the evil diseases of Egypt" functions as a potent **Allusion**, evoking the historical memory of the plagues and the suffering endured by the Egyptians during the Exodus, thereby grounding the divine promise in concrete, shared experience and demonstrating God's consistent character. Finally, the verse operates within the broader Deuteronomic framework of **Conditional Promise**, where blessings like health are contingent upon Israel's covenant faithfulness and obedience, even if the condition is not explicitly stated within this single verse, it is implied by the surrounding context of Deuteronomy.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 7:15 is a profound statement about God's character and His covenant relationship with Israel, extending beyond mere physical health to encompass His ultimate redemptive purposes. It reveals God as a compassionate Father who desires the well-being of His children, while also demonstrating His unwavering justice against those who stand in opposition to His will and His people. This promise of health is not a blanket guarantee against all suffering, but rather a powerful demonstration of God's protective hand over His people when they walk in obedience. It foreshadows a holistic understanding of salvation, where God's healing extends to every dimension of human existence—physical, spiritual, and communal. The specific mention of "diseases of Egypt" links this promise directly to God's redemptive acts in the Exodus, where He distinguished Israel from their oppressors through miraculous signs and judgments, solidifying His identity as their deliverer and protector.

* [Exodus 15:26](/exodus/15-26 "God as the Healer")
* [Deuteronomy 28:1-14](/deuteronomy/28-1-14 "Blessings for Obedience")
* [Psalm 91:3-6](/psalms/91-3-6 "God's Protection from Disease")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 7:15, while rooted in a specific covenant context, offers timeless principles for believers today, inviting us into a deeper understanding of God's character and His desire for our holistic flourishing. It reminds us of God's profound care for our physical well-being and His ultimate sovereignty over all forms of sickness and health. While we live in a fallen world where illness is an inescapable reality for all, this verse encourages us to cultivate a deep trust in God's providence and His power to protect and heal. It invites us to consider how our spiritual alignment with God's will, characterized by obedience and faith, might impact our overall well-being, not as a simplistic cause-and-effect, but as an integral part of a holistic walk of faith. Our obedience, stemming from a genuine love for God, positions us to experience His blessings, which can manifest in various ways, including peace, resilience in adversity, and even physical strength. Ultimately, this verse points us to the God who is our Healer and Protector, inviting us to live in confident trust, knowing that His desire is for our flourishing, both spiritually and physically, as we seek to honor Him in all aspects of our lives and bear witness to His goodness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding God's historical protection of Israel from the diseases of Egypt deepen your trust in His compassionate care for you today?**
* **In what ways might a lifestyle of intentional obedience to God's commands contribute to your holistic well-being—physically, mentally, and spiritually?**
* **How can we faithfully balance the promise of divine protection from sickness with the reality that even faithful believers do experience illness and suffering in this fallen world?**
* **What does the promise of God laying diseases upon "those who hate you" reveal about His justice, and how should this shape our perspective on spiritual opposition and the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom?**

### FAQ

**Is this a blanket guarantee against all sickness for believers today?**

Answer: While Deuteronomy 7:15 is a powerful promise of divine protection, it was given within the specific Old Covenant context to the nation of Israel, contingent upon their corporate obedience. For believers today, this verse reveals God's enduring character as a Healer and Protector who desires our well-being. However, it is not a blanket guarantee that individual believers will never experience sickness. We live in a fallen world, and even the most faithful among us may face illness, as seen with figures like the Apostle Paul, who contended with a "thorn in the flesh" ([2 Corinthians 12:7-10](/2_corinthians/12-7-10 "2 Corinthians 12:7-10 - Paul's Thorn in the Flesh")), or Timothy, who suffered from frequent ailments ([1 Timothy 5:23](/1_timothy/5-23 "1 Timothy 5:23 - Timothy's Frequent Ailments")). Rather, it assures us of God's ultimate sovereignty over disease, His compassionate care, and His power to intervene according to His perfect will, reminding us that His ultimate plan is for our complete restoration and health, both now and in the eternal state.

**What exactly are the "evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest"?**

Answer: This phrase refers to the various plagues God inflicted upon Egypt during the Exodus (e.g., the severe boils that afflicted both people and animals in [Exodus 9:8-11](/exodus/9-8-11 "Exodus 9:8-11 - The Plague of Boils")), as well as common, often severe, endemic diseases prevalent in ancient Egypt. These would have included a range of afflictions such as various skin diseases (like leprosy or rashes), ophthalmic conditions, dysentery, and other severe infections that the Israelites either witnessed firsthand or experienced during their prolonged bondage. The reference is highly specific and impactful for the original audience, vividly reminding them of God's power to distinguish between His people and their oppressors through both health and sickness.

**How does this verse relate to God's justice and judgment?**

Answer: The latter part of the verse, "but will lay them upon all [them] that hate thee," clearly demonstrates God's retributive justice. It reveals that God is not only a God of profound love and protection for His covenant people but also a righteous judge who will bring consequences upon those who actively oppose Him and His divine purposes. The very afflictions that Israel is spared from are redirected to their enemies, serving as a powerful sign of divine judgment and a testament to God's unwavering commitment to His covenant. This highlights God's sovereignty over all nations and His commitment to defending His chosen people against their adversaries, underscoring the serious implications of rejecting His authority and actively opposing His will.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 7:15 finds its ultimate and most profound fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Old Covenant promise of physical health was conditional and temporal, Christ offers a spiritual and eternal healing that addresses the root cause of all sickness and suffering: sin. Jesus, the true [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"), came not only to heal physical ailments during His earthly ministry (as vividly seen throughout the Gospels, for example, in [Matthew 8:16-17](/matthew/8-16-17 "Matthew 8:16-17 - Jesus Heals Many")), but, more importantly, to conquer the ultimate "disease" of sin and death itself. He bore our sicknesses and carried our sorrows, not merely as a sympathetic act, but as an atoning sacrifice on the cross, as prophesied in [Isaiah 53:4-5](/isaiah/53-4-5 "Isaiah 53:4-5 - The Suffering Servant"). Through His sacrificial death and glorious resurrection, Christ has definitively triumphed over the spiritual "diseases" that plague humanity—guilt, shame, fear, and eternal separation from God—offering spiritual health, reconciliation, and eternal life to all who believe. The "enemies" upon whom the diseases are laid can be understood in the New Covenant as the spiritual forces of darkness and sin, which Christ has definitively defeated and disarmed through His cross ([Colossians 2:15](/colossians/2-15 "Colossians 2:15 - Christ's Triumph Over Spiritual Powers")). Thus, the promise of protection from sickness in Deuteronomy 7:15 points forward to the comprehensive, redemptive work of Christ, who provides ultimate healing and deliverance from the power of sin and death, securing for His people a future of perfect health and no more suffering in the new heavens and new earth ([Revelation 21:4](/revelation/21-4 "Revelation 21:4 - No More Death or Suffering")).

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

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.

Psalms 105:36

He smote also all the firstborn in their land, the chief of all their strength.

Psalms 105:37

He brought them forth also with silver and gold: and [there was] not one feeble [person] among their tribes.

Leviticus 26:3

If ye walk in my statutes, and keep my commandments, and do them;

Leviticus 26:4

Then I will give you rain in due season, and the land shall yield her increase, and the trees of the field shall yield their fruit.

Deuteronomy 28:60

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

Exodus 9:11

And the magicians could not stand before Moses because of the boils; for the boil was upon the magicians, and upon all the Egyptians.