Deuteronomy 28:28 kjv
The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart:
Deuteronomy 28:28 nkjv
The LORD will strike you with madness and blindness and confusion of heart.
Deuteronomy 28:28 niv
The LORD will afflict you with madness, blindness and confusion of mind.
Deuteronomy 28:28 esv
The LORD will strike you with madness and blindness and confusion of mind,
Deuteronomy 28:28 nlt
The LORD will strike you with madness, blindness, and panic.
Deuteronomy 28 28 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Lev 26:16 | ...I will appoint over you terror, with wasting disease and fever... | Terror as a consequence of disobedience |
| Psa 14:1 | The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." | Madness/folly of rejecting God |
| Psa 53:1 | The fool says in his heart, "There is no God." | Mental state of denying God |
| Prov 10:21 | The lips of the righteous feed many, but fools die for lack of sense. | Lack of understanding due to folly |
| Isa 6:10 | Make the heart of this people dull, and their ears heavy, and blind their eyes; lest they see... | Spiritual blindness by divine judgment |
| Isa 29:10 | For the LORD has poured out upon you a spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes... | Spiritual stupor as judgment |
| Isa 42:18 | Hear, you deaf, and look, you blind, that you may see! | Israel's spiritual deafness and blindness |
| Jer 8:9 | The wise men are put to shame; they are dismayed and caught; behold, they have rejected the word of the LORD... | Wisdom fails due to rejecting God's word |
| Jer 14:14 | The prophets are prophesying to you a lying vision...the delusion of their own minds. | False prophecy and self-deception as blindness |
| Jer 23:16 | ...They speak visions of their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. | Deceitful prophecies born of delusion |
| Zech 12:4 | ...I will strike every horse with panic, and his rider with madness. | Madness as a divine strike in battle |
| Rom 1:21 | ...their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. | Mental and spiritual decline due to suppressing truth |
| Rom 1:22 | Claiming to be wise, they became fools. | Reversal of wisdom to folly |
| Rom 1:28 | ...God gave them up to a debased mind to do what ought not to be done. | God delivering to a corrupt mind |
| Rom 11:8 | ...God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear... | Divine stupor for disobedience |
| Eph 4:18 | They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them... | Darkness of understanding due to ignorance and sin |
| 2 Thess 2:11 | Therefore God sends them a strong delusion, so that they may believe what is false... | Divine permission for strong delusion |
| Tit 3:3 | For we ourselves were once foolish, disobedient, led astray... | Prior state of foolishness before salvation |
| 1 Pet 1:13 | Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded... | Contrast with godly clear-mindedness |
| 2 Pet 2:19 | ...For whatever overcomes a person, to that he is enslaved. | Enslavement to folly and sin |
| Isa 3:12 | ...My people—their oppressors are children, and women rule over them. My people, those who guide you lead you astray... | Lack of true guidance due to spiritual decay |
| Joel 2:27 | ...and My people shall never again be put to shame. | Deliverance from the shame of confusion (contrast) |
| Ezra 9:8 | But now for a brief moment favor has been shown by the LORD our God, to leave us a remnant... | A glimmer of hope amidst national confusion |
Deuteronomy 28 verses
Deuteronomy 28 28 Meaning
Deuteronomy 28:28 pronounces a divine judgment of severe mental and spiritual affliction upon the Israelites if they persist in disobeying the LORD's covenant. This curse includes the comprehensive degradation of the inner being, resulting in a state where one is incapable of sound reasoning, discerning truth, or maintaining mental clarity and peace, leading to overwhelming bewilderment and distress.
Deuteronomy 28 28 Context
Deuteronomy 28 is a pivotal chapter within Moses' farewell discourses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. It presents a detailed and stark exposition of the covenant stipulations: unparalleled blessings for obedience to the LORD's commands (vv. 1-14) and increasingly severe curses for disobedience and idolatry (vv. 15-68). Verse 28 falls squarely within the curses section, which describes a comprehensive range of afflictions—physical, agricultural, military, social, and spiritual—that will befall the nation if they forsake the covenant. This particular verse addresses internal, psychological, and mental distress, demonstrating that God's judgment penetrates the deepest aspects of human existence, reaching beyond external suffering to touch the very core of rational thought and discernment. The historical context for the original audience, poised to enter Canaan, underscores the gravity of these warnings as they were about to encounter pagan nations and their practices.
Deuteronomy 28 28 Word analysis
- The LORD (יהוה - YHWH): Refers to God, Israel's covenant Lord. The action originates from the divine authority, signifying that these curses are not mere misfortunes but direct judgments from their covenant keeper.
- will strike (יַכֶּה - yakeh): From the root "nakah" meaning to strike, smite, beat. It denotes a deliberate, powerful act of divine judgment or affliction, often resulting in severe consequences, rather than a passive suffering. It implies a targeted and decisive blow.
- you: Refers to the collective nation of Israel. The judgment is national, affecting the people as a whole due to widespread disobedience.
- with madness (בְּשִׁגָּעוֹן - bĕšiga‘ôn): From "shaga‘," to be mad, insane, to rave. This describes a profound mental derangement, a loss of sanity and rational thought. It implies disorientation and irrational behavior, the complete opposite of divine wisdom.
- and blindness (וְעִוָּרוֹן - wĕ‘iwārôn): From "awar," to be blind. While it can mean physical blindness (Deut 28:29 alludes to fumbling in the dark), here in context with madness and confusion, it predominantly refers to spiritual, intellectual, or moral blindness. It signifies an inability to perceive truth, discern right from wrong, or understand God's ways or their own circumstances clearly. This prevents wise action or finding solutions.
- and confusion (וְתִמָּהוֹן - wĕṯimāhôn): From "tamah," to be astonished, amazed, bewildered. This signifies a state of deep perplexity, dismay, bewilderment, and inner turmoil. It's a complete lack of mental clarity and inability to process or organize thoughts, leading to despair and psychological disarray.
- of mind (לֵבָב - lēḇāḇ): Literally "heart." In Hebrew understanding, the "heart" is not just the seat of emotions but also the center of intellect, will, judgment, and moral decision-making. Therefore, "confusion of mind" or "confusion of heart" means a profound and devastating disorganization of one's entire inner being—thoughts, emotions, will, and conscience. It’s a total mental breakdown.
Words-Group Analysis:
- "The LORD will strike you": Emphasizes divine authorship of the calamity. It's an active, deliberate act of God's judgment against covenant breakers.
- "with madness and blindness and confusion of mind": This triad represents a comprehensive and progressive deterioration of the inner person. It’s a complete loss of mental faculty, spiritual perception, and internal coherence. Madness indicates loss of reason, blindness loss of perception, and confusion of mind indicates a deep inner turmoil and lack of direction. This curse targets the cognitive and volitional faculties essential for functioning as rational beings. The curses become internal, reflecting the internal state of rebellion.
Deuteronomy 28 28 Bonus section
This curse on the "mind" or "heart" stands in stark contrast to the blessings of wisdom and understanding offered to those who keep God's commands (Deut 4:6). The reversal demonstrates that walking away from the "fear of the LORD," which is the "beginning of wisdom," inevitably leads to its opposite: folly, derangement, and spiritual bewilderment. Furthermore, this internal affliction highlights the principle that true prosperity, even beyond material blessings, encompasses peace of mind and clarity of thought, which flow from right relationship with the Creator. Conversely, spiritual rebellion against the Light results in deepening darkness, both externally in their circumstances and internally in their very thought processes. While terrifying, even these judgments ultimately served as a severe, corrective measure designed to humble Israel and lead them back to repentance.
Deuteronomy 28 28 Commentary
Deuteronomy 28:28 vividly describes one of the most debilitating curses: the direct infliction of mental and spiritual disarray as a consequence of national apostasy. This is not merely a metaphor for ignorance; it points to an active divine judgment where God permits or causes a reversal of human capacities, making their own minds a source of torment. The progression from madness (irrationality), to blindness (inability to perceive truth), to confusion of mind (utter bewilderment and despair in one's core being), paints a dire picture. The "heart" (lēḇāḇ) is central here, encompassing the entirety of one's intellect, emotions, and will. Thus, the curse impacts judgment, understanding, and even self-identity, leading to utter disorientation. This judgment highlights that departing from God leads to a disordered internal life, showing a deep correlation between spiritual health and mental well-being. This state renders them incapable of wise action, susceptible to deception, and vulnerable in every aspect of life, underscoring the severe consequences of rejecting the source of true wisdom and clarity, which is God Himself. This curse foreshadows what happens when people are given over to a depraved mind as described in the New Testament.