Blessings And Curses In Deuteronomy 28
Deuteronomy 28: Blessings and Curses
Deuteronomy 28 presents a detailed exposition of the blessings and curses that will befall the Israelites based on their obedience or disobedience to God's laws. The chapter begins by stating that if the Israelites "diligently hearken unto the voice of the Lord" their God, they will be blessed in various aspects of their lives [9].
The blessings are enumerated in Deuteronomy 28:3-6, where it is written that the Israelites will be blessed "in the city, and blessed in the field" (Deuteronomy 28:3), with their "basket and kneading trough" being blessed (Deuteronomy 28:5) [1]. This blessing extends to their "coming in and going out" (Deuteronomy 28:6), indicating a comprehensive prosperity that encompasses all their activities [2].
The literary context of Deuteronomy 28 is crucial for understanding its significance. The chapter is part of Moses' farewell address to the Israelites, where he reiterates the covenant between God and the Israelites, emphasizing the consequences of their actions. The blessings and curses outlined in this chapter serve as a reminder of the covenant's terms and the importance of obedience [7, 8].
Historically, Deuteronomy is set in the plains of Moab, where Moses is about to hand over leadership to Joshua before the Israelites enter Canaan. The chapter reflects the covenantal theology characteristic of Deuteronomic literature, where obedience to God's laws is directly linked to the Israelites' prosperity in the Promised Land [9].
Key terms in Deuteronomy 28 include "blessing" (ברכה, berakah) and "curse" (קללה, qelalah), which are central to the covenantal framework. A blessing is understood as an increase or prosperity, while a curse signifies diminution or adversity [11].
One of the major exegetical decisions in interpreting Deuteronomy 28 involves understanding the nature and extent of the blessings and curses. Some commentators, like John Gill, interpret the curses listed in Deuteronomy 28:15-68 as having been fulfilled in the historical captivities and dispersions of the Israelites, seeing them as having both immediate and long-term applications [7, 10].
The range of interpretations for Deuteronomy 28 is broad. For instance, Matthew Henry views the chapter as an exposition of the general statements of blessing and curse in Deuteronomy 27, descending into particulars to make the consequences of obedience or disobedience more vivid and affecting [8]. In contrast, Abraham Ibn Ezra focuses on the etymological and conceptual understanding of blessing and curse, linking them to the ideas of increase and diminution, respectively [11].
Deuteronomy 28 has functioned significantly in Jewish and Christian traditions. The chapter's themes of obedience, blessing, and curse have been invoked in various contexts, including liturgy and theological debates. The curses listed, in particular, have been seen as having been fulfilled in the historical experiences of the Israelites, serving as a testament to the seriousness with which God regards covenant disobedience [6].
The cross-references to Exodus 15:26 in Deuteronomy 28:1-15, 27, and 58 highlight the thematic continuity between the two passages, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's commandments as a condition for receiving blessings [3, 4, 5].
Sources
- Deuteronomy “Your basket and your kneading trough shall be blessed. -- Deuteronomy 28:5”
- Deuteronomy “Deuteronomy 28:6 (BBE) — A blessing will be on your coming in and on your going out.”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Exod.15.26 → Deut.28.58 (confidence: 11 votes)”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Exod.15.26 → Deut.28.1-Deut.28.15 (confidence: 30 votes)”
- OpenBible.info “Cross-reference: Exod.15.26 → Deut.28.27 (confidence: 16 votes)”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Disobedience to God — Provokes his anger -- Ps 78:10,40; Isa 3:8. Forfeits his favour -- 1Sa 13:14. Forfeits his promised blessings -- Jos 5:6; 1Sa 2:30; Jer 18:10. Brings a curse -- De 11:28; 28:15. A characteristic of the wicked -- Eph 2:2; Tit 1:16; 3:3. The wicked persevere in -- Jer 2:21. Heinousness of, illustrated -- Jer 35:14. Men prone to excuse -- Ge 3:12,13. Shall be punished -- Isa 42:24,25; Heb 2:2. Acknowledge the punishment of, to be just -- Ne 9:32,33; Da 9:10,11,14. Warnings against -- 1Sa 12:15; Jer 12:17. Bitter results of, illustrated -- Jer 9:13,”
- Deuteronomy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Deuteronomy 28 (introduction): INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 28 In this chapter Moses enlarges on the blessings and the curses which belong, the one to the doers, the other to the transgressors of the law; the blessings, Deu 28:1; the curses, some of which concern individual persons, others the whole nation and body of people, and that both under the former and present dispensations, and which had their fulfilment in their former captivities, and more especially in their present dispersion, Deu 28:15.”
- Deuteronomy (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 28 (introduction): This chapter is a very large exposition of two words in the foregoing chapter, the blessing and the curse. Those were pronounced blessed in general that were obedient, and those cursed that were disobedient; but, because generals are not so affecting, Moses here descends to particulars, and describes the blessing and the curse, not in their fountains (these are out of sight, and therefore the most considerable, yet least considered, the favour of God the spring of all the blessings, and the wrath of God the spring of all the curses), but in their”
- Deuteronomy (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Deuteronomy 28 (introduction): THE BLESSINGS FOR OBEDIENCE. (Deu. 28:1-68) if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God--In this chapter the blessings and curses are enumerated at length, and in various minute details, so that on the first entrance of the Israelites into the land of promise, their whole destiny was laid before them, as it was to result from their obedience or the contrary.”
- Deuteronomy (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Deuteronomy 30:1: And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee,.... Declared, pronounced, foretold, and prophesied of in the three preceding chapters, especially in Deu 28:1, the blessing and the curse which I have set before thee; the blessings promised to those that pay a regard to the will of God and obey his voice, and curses threatened to the see Deu 28:1, and thou shall call them to mind among all the nations whither the Lord thy God hath driven thee; recollect the promises and the threatenings, and observe the exact accomplishment of them in their”
- Sefaria (Jewish (Rationalist)) “Abraham Ibn Ezra on Deuteronomy 28:20: CURSING. Diminution. 25 Of that which you require and that which is good. According to I.E. a blessing refers to an increase and a curse to a diminution. See I.E. on Gen. 2:3 (Vol. 1, p. 50) and Gen. 3:14 (Vol. 1, p. 71) and the notes thereto.”