Deuteronomy 28 15

Deuteronomy 28:15 kjv

But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:

Deuteronomy 28:15 nkjv

"But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the LORD your God, to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today, that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you:

Deuteronomy 28:15 niv

However, if you do not obey the LORD your God and do not carefully follow all his commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you:

Deuteronomy 28:15 esv

"But if you will not obey the voice of the LORD your God or be careful to do all his commandments and his statutes that I command you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you.

Deuteronomy 28:15 nlt

"But if you refuse to listen to the LORD your God and do not obey all the commands and decrees I am giving you today, all these curses will come and overwhelm you:

Deuteronomy 28 verses

Deuteronomy 28 15 Meaning

Deuteronomy 28:15 marks a pivotal shift in God's address to Israel, immediately following the comprehensive blessings promised for obedience. This verse clearly articulates the counter-conditional outcome: should the people fail to hear and obey the voice of the Lord their God by diligently observing His entire law, then a series of dire consequences, specifically "all these curses," will not only fall upon them but relentlessly pursue and envelop them. It establishes a stark and unavoidable principle of divine judgment, emphasizing that disobedience carries an inescapable penalty directly opposite to the blessings of faithfulness.

Deuteronomy 28 15 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 28 is the culmination of Moses' exposition of the Law to the Israelites, immediately preceding their entry into the Promised Land. It forms the primary legal section of the Deuteronomic covenant, presented in a suzerain-vassal treaty format common in the Ancient Near East. Chapters 27 and 28 explicitly outline the blessings for covenant fidelity (Deut 28:1-14) and the comprehensive curses for covenant infidelity (Deut 28:15-68). Verse 15 marks the abrupt transition from an elaborate section of blessings to an even more extensive and dire list of curses. This specific verse introduces the inverse conditional statement, establishing the severe and inevitable consequences of a nation's failure to uphold its covenant responsibilities to the Lord. It serves as a dire warning and a prophetic outline of Israel's future history if they were to turn from God.

Deuteronomy 28 15 Word analysis

• But it shall come to pass,: A transitional phrase (`wǝhayah ki im lo`, וְהָיָה אִם־לֹ֣א), denoting a significant shift from the preceding favorable outcomes. It signifies a counterfactual, introducing the inverse possibility and its unavoidable consequences.
• if you do not obey: The condition for the curses. The Hebrew word `shama` (שָׁמַע) means more than just "hear"; it implies "hear and act," "heed," or "obey." It's not passive hearing but an active, responsive obedience. The emphasis is on active choice and responsibility.
• the voice of the Lord your God: This highlights the divine authority behind the commandments. It’s not human legislation but the direct command of their covenant God, who delivered them from Egypt. "Your God" emphasizes the unique, personal, and binding relationship with Yahweh. This also subtly points to a personal encounter and communion.
• to observe carefully: From the Hebrew root `shamar` (שָׁמַר), meaning "to keep," "to guard," "to watch," or "to preserve." This denotes diligence, attentiveness, and exactness in their obedience, not mere lip service or partial compliance. It signifies protecting and treasuring God's laws as invaluable.
• all His commandments and His statutes: This emphasizes the comprehensiveness and indivisibility of the Law. `Mitzvot` (מִצְוֹת, commandments) refers to the general divine commands, while `chukkot` (חֻקּוֹת, statutes or decrees) refers to specific ordinances, often those deeply established or prescribed. Disobedience to any part of the Law renders one liable for the curses (cf. Gal 3:10, Jas 2:10). This implies a complete submission to God's will.
• which I command you today: "Today" (`hayyom`, הַיּוֹם) reinforces the immediate relevance and binding nature of the covenant upon that specific generation. It signifies an urgent call to decision and action, emphasizing that the choice for obedience or disobedience is happening now and has immediate implications.
• that all these curses: Direct antithesis to "all these blessings" from Deut 28:2. The term "curses" (`qelalah`, קְלָלָה) denotes the state of being under divine disfavor and the subsequent calamities and adversities that result. The reiteration of "all" underscores that the consequences are just as complete and far-reaching as the promised blessings.
• will come upon you and overtake you: These are active, pursuing verbs. "Come upon" (`naga'`, נָגַע) indicates impact or arrival, while "overtake" (`nassaq`, נָשַׂג) conveys the idea of pursuing, catching up with, and holding fast. This signifies the inescapability and relentless nature of the curses, illustrating that they will be comprehensive, inescapable, and follow the disobedient relentlessly, not merely as passive results but as active divine judgment. This phrasing demonstrates God’s active enforcement of the covenant.

Words-group analysis

• But it shall come to pass, if you do not obey the voice of the Lord your God: This phrase marks the absolute turning point in the covenant stipulations. It is not an idle threat but a definitive declaration of conditional outcome, hinging entirely on the people's fidelity to their divine Lord. The consequence of disobedience stems from failing to heed and respond to the divine instruction given by their specific, personal God.
• to observe carefully all His commandments and His statutes which I command you today: This collective phrase highlights the total, precise, and immediate expectation of obedience. It is not a suggestion but a comprehensive demand, emphasizing the full breadth of the divine law and its present-day application. The covenant demanded holistic adherence, not selective preference.
• that all these curses will come upon you and overtake you: This is the culmination of the negative conditional. The full range of divine disapproval and adverse consequences are presented as active, inescapable forces that will fully encompass and relentlessly pursue the disobedient. It depicts an active and unavoidable divine judgment that leaves no room for escape.

Deuteronomy 28 15 Bonus section

The structure of Deuteronomy 28, especially the drastic length difference between the blessings (14 verses) and the curses (54 verses), often highlights the severity and numerous possibilities of punishment that unfold from disobedience. This contrast serves to instill fear and impress upon the Israelites the comprehensive and inescapable nature of divine judgment. The emphasis on "hearing and obeying" (the Hebrew shama meaning active obedience, not passive listening) reinforces that genuine faith involves tangible action. Furthermore, from a New Testament perspective, this chapter illuminates humanity's inability to perfectly keep the whole Law, thereby falling under its curse (Gal 3:10-12). It underscores the necessity of Christ's redemptive work, where He became a curse for humanity, freeing believers from the condemnation of the Law (Gal 3:13-14), ultimately fulfilling God's righteous requirements through grace and not through works (Rom 8:3-4).

Deuteronomy 28 15 Commentary

Deuteronomy 28:15 serves as a profound hinge between God's promise of abundant blessings for covenant obedience and the severe, unavoidable curses for disobedience. It underscores the conditional nature of the Mosaic Covenant, clearly stating that Israel's well-being in the land was entirely contingent upon their continued faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse is not merely a legal clause but a prophetic warning, reflecting God's perfect justice and His unwavering commitment to His covenant, whether for blessing or for judgment. It emphasizes the direct causal link between national choices (obedience or rebellion) and national destiny. This principle permeates the Old Testament, where Israel's history often tragically reflects the fulfillment of these very curses due to their repeated failures to obey God's voice and keep His law, eventually leading to exile and suffering. Yet, implicit within this warning is the invitation to choose life and blessing by turning to God.