Deuteronomy 28 20

Deuteronomy 28:20 kjv

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.

Deuteronomy 28:20 nkjv

"The LORD will send on you cursing, confusion, and rebuke in all that you set your hand to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, because of the wickedness of your doings in which you have forsaken Me.

Deuteronomy 28:20 niv

The LORD will send on you curses, confusion and rebuke in everything you put your hand to, until you are destroyed and come to sudden ruin because of the evil you have done in forsaking him.

Deuteronomy 28:20 esv

"The LORD will send on you curses, confusion, and frustration in all that you undertake to do, until you are destroyed and perish quickly on account of the evil of your deeds, because you have forsaken me.

Deuteronomy 28:20 nlt

"The LORD himself will send on you curses, confusion, and frustration in everything you do, until at last you are completely destroyed for doing evil and abandoning me.

Deuteronomy 28 verses

Deuteronomy 28 20 Meaning

Deuteronomy 28:20 declares that the Lord Himself will inflict a comprehensive state of divine judgment upon those who forsake Him. This judgment includes "curses, confusion, and frustration" that will hinder and undermine every undertaking. The purpose and outcome of these judgments are destruction and rapid perishing, directly attributed to the wickedness of their deeds and their ultimate act of abandoning God's covenant and presence.

Deuteronomy 28 20 Context

Deuteronomy 28 is a pivotal chapter within the book, forming part of Moses's second address to Israel on the plains of Moab before entering the Promised Land. This chapter functions as a detailed explanation of the covenant stipulations: blessings for obedience (vv. 1-14) and curses for disobedience (vv. 15-68). Verse 20 falls within the extensive "Curses for Disobedience" section, specifically introducing the immediate, internal consequences of rebellion before delving into more severe, external judgments like plague, famine, and ultimately, exile. Historically, it was spoken to the generation poised to inherit the land, warning them against the idolatrous practices of the Canaanites they were about to displace and reminding them that their success or failure depended entirely on their covenant faithfulness to Yahweh. Literary-wise, it emphasizes a direct cause-and-effect relationship between Israel's spiritual condition and their national well-being, underscoring the severity of breaking their unique covenant with God. This passage directly opposes the contemporary pagan belief that the prosperity of a nation depended on placating many local deities; instead, Israel's fate was tied solely to their one true God, Yahweh.

Deuteronomy 28 20 Word Analysis

• The Lord (יְהוָ֣ה, Yahweh): This is the covenant name of God, highlighting His personal, active involvement. It signifies not just an abstract force, but the specific God of Israel, who makes and upholds His covenant promises and warnings. The active nature of His judgment (He "will send") emphasizes His sovereignty and righteous administration of justice.
• will send on you (יְשַׁלַּ֣ח בְּךָ֔, yəšallaḥ bəḵā): Emphasizes divine agency. God actively initiates and directs these negative consequences. It's not a natural byproduct but a deliberate act of divine retribution.
• curses (הַמְּאֵרָה, hamməʾêrāh): The antonym of blessing (berakah). This is a comprehensive term for all forms of adversity and misfortune stemming from God's disfavor. It indicates a reversal of God's promised goodness due to broken covenant.
• confusion (מְהוּמָה, məhûmāh): Refers to a state of disarray, panic, bewilderment, or great noise/uproar. Spiritually, it implies mental and operational disorganization. Plans will not succeed due to lack of clarity, wisdom, or cohesive action. There is a sense of being scattered and losing direction.
• and frustration (מִגְעֶ֙רֶת֙, migʿeret): Often translated as "rebuke," "blast," "defeat," or "ruin." It indicates God's direct and forceful intervention that causes things to fail or projects to come to nothing. Despite effort, desired outcomes will not be achieved, as if God Himself has spoken against them.
• in all that you undertake to do (בְּכָל־ מִשְׁלַ֣ח יָדֶ֗ךָ, bəḵāl-mišlaḥ yāḏeḵā): Literally, "in all the sending forth of your hand." This phrase signifies the totality and pervasiveness of the judgment. Every endeavor, project, labor, or enterprise will be affected. No aspect of life or work will be immune to the divine curses, illustrating the complete disruption that ensues.
• until you are destroyed (עַ֣ד הִשָּֽׁמֶדְךָ֔, ʿaḏ hiššāmeḏkā): Indicates the ultimate end goal of these escalating judgments. Destruction means the eradication or total ruination of the nation's well-being and existence, especially in the context of their ability to dwell in the promised land.
• and quickly perish (וְעַם֙ אֲבֹ֣ד מַהֵ֔ר, wəʿam ʾăḇōḏ mahēr): Reinforces the immediacy and swiftness of the destruction. It's not a gradual decline but a rapid unraveling, signaling God's severe and efficient judgment once the breaking point is reached.
• on account of the evil of your deeds (מִפְּנֵ֛י רֹ֥עַ מַעֲלְלֶ֖יךָ, mippənê rōʿ maʿaləleḵā): This phrase establishes the direct causal link between human action and divine consequence. "Evil of your deeds" refers to sinful practices, especially those connected with idolatry, injustice, and disobedience to God's commandments. It emphasizes divine justice – judgment is merited, not arbitrary.
• because you have forsaken me (אֲשֶׁ֣ר עֲזַבְתָּ֑נִי, ʾăšer ʿăzavtānî): This is identified as the fundamental and gravest transgression. To "forsake" God is to abandon the covenant relationship, turning away from Him to other gods or ways of living. It's a profound act of spiritual rebellion and ingratitude that severs the source of all blessing and protection, making the nation vulnerable to divine judgment.

Deuteronomy 28 20 Bonus Section

This verse profoundly illustrates the biblical concept of active divine retribution, where God personally intervenes to bring about the curses He promised. It's not merely that people suffer the natural consequences of their sin, but that God orchestrates events, bringing about internal psychological disarray ("confusion") and external ineffectiveness ("frustration") to highlight His righteous indignation. The "curse of the Lord" mentioned here and elsewhere in Scripture often describes an invasive, pervasive force that subtly and overtly works against one's well-being. It underscores the severity of breaking a covenant with a holy God. This foreshadows much of Israel's history in the books of Judges, Kings, and the Prophets, where periods of disobedience led to national decline, internal strife, and eventually, the ultimate "destruction" and "perishing" in exile, demonstrating the prophetic fulfillment of this very warning.

Deuteronomy 28 20 Commentary

Deuteronomy 28:20 serves as a dire warning within the broader covenant discourse, painting a stark picture of God's active opposition to Israel's rebellion. It is not merely a statement of misfortune but a declaration of intentional divine judgment. The progression from general "curses" to specific internal consequences like "confusion" and "frustration" illustrates God's ability to undermine and defeat human efforts at a foundational level. When God sends confusion, it means intellectual and strategic failure; when He sends frustration, it means labor and endeavors yield no fruit. These judgments are presented as comprehensive, affecting "all that you undertake to do," demonstrating that apart from God's blessing, all human toil is futile. The ultimate end, "destroyed and quickly perish," underscores the catastrophic nature of apostasy. The root cause is unequivocally stated as "the evil of your deeds" and, more profoundly, the act of "forsaking me." This verse clarifies that divine judgment is a righteous response to deliberate covenant breaking, not an arbitrary act. It powerfully conveys the biblical principle that spiritual choices have direct, tangible consequences, emphasizing the non-negotiable importance of covenant faithfulness.