Deuteronomy 28

This section explains the conditions for receiving the covenant blessing, the types of blessings, and the curses that will occur if people ignore or disobey these rules (28:1–14; 28:15–68).

The baskets will be blessed because the harvest was successful.

In the Bible, the number seven often shows fullness or completion. In this passage, it means that Israel’s enemies would be completely removed from the land (see study note on Deuteronomy 2:34).

When other nations saw Israel's blessings, they would know it was because you are called by the name of the LORD. The nations would think of God and his faithfulness when they saw Israel.

His abundant storehouse: This metaphor describes the clouds that provide life-giving rain to the earth.

the head and not the tail: If Israel obeyed the terms of the covenant, it would lead the nations and not be subject to them.

If Israel disobeyed the commands of the covenant, they could expect God to judge them. One form of judgment would be empty fields and failed crops (compare 28:5).

the plague cling to you: This means the sickness would continue for a long time. It would not leave them until the nation was destroyed.

Some scholars think these symptoms may describe tuberculosis, a serious infectious disease that usually affects the lungs.

This graphic picture of drought and famine shows the sky holding back the rain, which makes the earth dry and barren.

The only thing even resembling rain would be the swirling dust that coats everything to suffocation.

This verse reverses the blessing given in 28:7. Instead of their enemies fleeing in seven directions, Israel would flee in seven directions.

The number seven shows completeness. It means they would be completely defeated and scattered.

• the boils of Egypt: See Exodus 9:8–12.

• tumors: Compare 1 Samuel 5:6, 9, 12.

• scabs: This might refer to a skin condition called dermatitis.

• The itch is also a symptom of dermatitis.

will bring you: This prediction had two major fulfillments in Old Testament times:

• the Assyrian exile of Samaria in 722 BC, and

• the Babylonian conquest and exile of Jerusalem in 586 BC.

foreigner (literally sojourner): This refers to foreigners who lived among Israel but did not own land.

In God’s day of judgment, those who were usually seen as weak or vulnerable in society would become stronger and rise above others (see 29:11).

the head … the tail: To be the head means to lead. To be the tail means to follow.

Instead of leading other nations, Israel would be ruled by them when God punished his people (see 28:13).

a sign and a wonder: This phrase refers to God’s mighty acts. These acts draw attention and show his power and authority (see 6:22). They are meant to cause deep fear and respect among his people.

Ancient writings and artwork sometimes show an iron yoke. A yoke was a wooden bar placed on the neck of animals to control them.

Iron is hard and does not bend easily. The image of an iron yoke shows how harsh and severe Israel’s slavery would be if the people did not repent.

• like an eagle: This comparison shows how quickly the enemy would attack. Just as a bird of prey swoops down suddenly, the invading army would come without warning.

• whose language you will not understand: The enemy would speak a foreign language that Israel did not know. The Assyrians and Babylonians spoke dialects of Akkadian.

  Akkadian was related to Hebrew, but it was very different in grammar, syntax, and vocabulary (see Isaiah 36:11–13).

The Assyrians were known for harsh treatment of their defeated enemies. They showed little mercy.

One method of execution was impalement. They placed victims on a sharp stake while they were still alive (see Isaiah 33:19; Nahum 2:1–7).

gentle and refined man: He had lived a protected life. He had been kept away from suffering and hardship.

He had never faced the terrible events that would soon come upon him.

not … set … on the ground: This woman was very delicate and careful. She would not even walk barefoot on the ground.

afterbirth: This terrible scene describes a mother who becomes so hungry that she eats the placenta (the organ that supports a baby before birth) and the baby she has just given birth to.

• The context suggests that all the words of this instruction refers to the entire book of Deuteronomy. In this book, the blessings and curses form a major section (see 27:3).

• If you are not careful … that you may fear this … name: To fear the name means to fear God himself. It refers to showing deep respect and reverence for the Lord (see study note on 7:21).

The diseases of Egypt were not just general plagues but those associated with physical illness (see Exodus 9:8–12).

other gods: This phrase does not mean that other gods truly exist. The Old Testament teaches that there is only one God, the Lord.

However, the surrounding nations worshiped other gods. The danger was that Israel might follow their practices and turn away from the Lord.

• The warning about being sent back to Egypt points to any future exile of God’s people. It would reverse the exodus, moving them from freedom back into slavery.

• no one will buy you: The disobedient Israelites would be treated as having little value. They would not even be able to sell themselves as slaves.

  This stands in sharp contrast to the past. The Lord had redeemed Israel from slavery at great cost (see 9:26).