Deuteronomy 28:20

The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.

The LORD {H3068} shall send {H7971} upon thee cursing {H3994}, vexation {H4103}, and rebuke {H4045}, in all that thou settest {H4916} thine hand {H3027} unto for to do {H6213}, until thou be destroyed {H8045}, and until thou perish {H6} quickly {H4118}; because {H6440} of the wickedness {H7455} of thy doings {H4611}, whereby thou hast forsaken {H5800} me.

"ADONAI will send on you curses, disasters and frustration in everything you set out to do, until you are destroyed and quickly perish, because of your evil actions in abandoning me.

The LORD will send curses upon you, confusion and reproof in all to which you put your hand, until you are destroyed and quickly perish because of the wickedness you have committed in forsaking Him.

Jehovah will send upon thee cursing, discomfiture, and rebuke, in all that thou puttest thy hand unto to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the evil of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.

Commentary

Deuteronomy 28:20 stands as a stark warning within a pivotal chapter of the Old Testament, outlining the severe consequences of disobedience to God's covenant. This verse highlights the direct and comprehensive nature of divine judgment when the people of Israel would turn away from the LORD.

Context

Deuteronomy chapter 28 is a foundational text in the Mosaic Law, presenting a detailed exposition of the blessings promised for obedience to God's commandments (verses 1-14) and the curses that would follow disobedience (verses 15-68). Verse 20 falls squarely within the section detailing these curses, emphasizing that the consequences would affect every aspect of life. This chapter served as a solemn reminder to the Israelites, on the cusp of entering the Promised Land, of the terms of their covenant relationship with God. Their prosperity and very existence in the land were contingent upon their faithfulness to Him, a concept crucial for understanding the broader context of Deuteronomy 28.

Key Themes

  • Divine Judgment for Disobedience: The verse clearly states that God Himself "shall send upon thee" these negative outcomes, indicating active divine intervention rather than mere natural consequences. It underscores God's justice in holding His people accountable to the covenant.
  • Comprehensive Ruin: The terms "cursing, vexation, and rebuke" cover a wide range of negative impacts—from general misfortune to internal confusion and the frustration of all efforts. This comprehensive destruction would affect "all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do," implying a complete unraveling of their endeavors.
  • Spiritual Rebellion as the Root Cause: The concluding phrase, "because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me," reveals that the ultimate cause for these curses is not merely isolated acts of sin, but a deeper spiritual rebellion—a turning away from God Himself. This highlights the personal and relational nature of the covenant.

Linguistic Insights

The KJV uses powerful words that convey the severity of God's judgment:

  • "Cursing" (Hebrew: me'erah): This denotes a general state of being under a ban or divine displeasure, leading to ill fortune and failure.
  • "Vexation" (Hebrew: mehumah): This word suggests confusion, panic, dismay, and tumult. It implies internal disorder and a lack of clear direction, leading to unproductive chaos.
  • "Rebuke" (Hebrew: mig'eret): This refers to a strong warning or a blight, often signifying the frustration of efforts, a diminishing of resources, or a failure to achieve desired outcomes despite hard work. It's a divine opposition that undermines prosperity.

These terms collectively paint a picture of a life where God's hand is not only withdrawn but actively working against the disobedient, causing their efforts to be fruitless and their existence to be filled with distress.

Practical Application

While the immediate context of Deuteronomy 28:20 applies specifically to ancient Israel under the Mosaic Covenant, the underlying principles hold timeless relevance. This verse serves as a profound reminder that:

  1. Actions Have Consequences: Disobedience to God's revealed will, particularly the act of "forsaking" Him, leads to negative spiritual and often tangible outcomes. This principle of reaping what one sows is echoed throughout Scripture.
  2. God Desires Relationship: The severity of the curses underscores how seriously God takes the covenant relationship. His judgment is not arbitrary but a response to spiritual rebellion and a forsaking of Him.
  3. The Importance of Faithfulness: The call to obedience and faithfulness remains paramount. While believers today live under the new covenant of grace through Christ, the principle that walking in alignment with God's will brings blessing and peace, and straying from it brings spiritual distress, is still true (Romans 6:23).

Deuteronomy 28:20 encourages self-examination and a return to a heart of devotion and obedience to the LORD, recognizing that true prosperity, peace, and purpose are found in Him.

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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Malachi 2:2 (7 votes)

    If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay [it] to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay [it] to heart.

  • Isaiah 66:15 (7 votes)

    ¶ For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.

  • Isaiah 51:20 (6 votes)

    Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God.

  • Deuteronomy 4:26 (6 votes)

    I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong [your] days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.

  • John 3:36 (5 votes)

    He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

  • Isaiah 30:17 (4 votes)

    One thousand [shall flee] at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.

  • Isaiah 28:19 (3 votes)

    From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only [to] understand the report.