Deuteronomy 28 29

Deuteronomy 28:29 kjv

And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee.

Deuteronomy 28:29 nkjv

And you shall grope at noonday, as a blind man gropes in darkness; you shall not prosper in your ways; you shall be only oppressed and plundered continually, and no one shall save you.

Deuteronomy 28:29 niv

At midday you will grope about like a blind person in the dark. You will be unsuccessful in everything you do; day after day you will be oppressed and robbed, with no one to rescue you.

Deuteronomy 28:29 esv

and you shall grope at noonday, as the blind grope in darkness, and you shall not prosper in your ways. And you shall be only oppressed and robbed continually, and there shall be no one to help you.

Deuteronomy 28:29 nlt

You will grope around in broad daylight like a blind person groping in the darkness, but you will not find your way. You will be oppressed and robbed continually, and no one will come to save you.

Deuteronomy 28 verses

Deuteronomy 28 29 Meaning

Deuteronomy 28:29 describes a severe curse upon Israel for disobedience to God's covenant, manifesting as profound disorientation and helplessness. It vividly portrays a state where even in broad daylight, one is reduced to groping aimlessly like a blind person in total darkness. This spiritual and physical blindness prevents any success or advancement in life's endeavors, leaving the disobedient perpetually oppressed, plundered, and utterly without rescue.

Deuteronomy 28 29 Context

Deuteronomy Chapter 28 presents a pivotal moment in the Mosaic covenant, delivered by Moses on the plains of Moab before Israel entered the Promised Land. The chapter is meticulously structured around the outcomes of covenant faithfulness versus unfaithfulness. Verses 1-14 enumerate lavish blessings for obedience, promising prosperity, peace, and dominance among nations. In stark contrast, verses 15-68 detail extensive and increasingly severe curses for disobedience. Verse 29 falls within this latter section, emphasizing the spiritual, physical, and societal deterioration that would result from forsaking God's commands. It highlights a core principle: disobedience leads to confusion and impotence, directly undermining God's intention for His people to be wise and prosperous under His guidance. Historically, these curses foreshadowed the nation's eventual exiles and repeated subjugations when they deviated from the covenant path. The imagery also implicitly contrasts God's role as a light and guide (Ps 119:105) with the utter darkness experienced when His light is rejected.

Deuteronomy 28 29 Word analysis

• And you (Wəhāyîtā): The use of the direct second person singular makes the curse intensely personal and unavoidable for the individual experiencing it as part of the disobedient nation.
• shall grope (təmaššeš): From the Hebrew verb mashash (מָשַׁשׁ), meaning to feel, to handle, to grope. It denotes a frantic, fumbling search, often implying a lack of clear sight or direction. It emphasizes utter disorientation and an inability to perceive or navigate reality effectively.
• at noonday (ba-tzaharayim): Tsaharayim (צָהֳרַיִם) refers to midday, the brightest part of the day, when light is most abundant. This detail intensifies the horror of the curse: even in optimal conditions for sight, one is rendered blind and disoriented. It is profoundly unnatural and ironic, highlighting the divine judgment that turns light into darkness.
• as the blind gropes (kāʔaššēr yəmaššeš ha-ʿiwwēr): The repetition of the verb "grope" and the explicit simile to a "blind" person (iwwēr) reinforces the completeness of the affliction. It is not just dim vision but utter lack of sight and perception, leading to an utterly helpless condition.
• in darkness (bā-ḥōšek): Ḥōšek (חֹשֶׁךְ) means darkness, gloom. While the setting is midday, the internal experience of the cursed individual is one of complete darkness, illustrating a profound spiritual and physical affliction. This emphasizes a self-imposed darkness despite external light.
• and you shall not prosper (wə-loʔ taẓliaḥ): From the verb tsalach (צָלַח), meaning to advance, to succeed, to prosper. This indicates that the disorientation directly leads to failure in all undertakings. The curse ensures futility in all efforts, as if one is stumbling endlessly without reaching any destination.
• in your ways (dərāḵeḵā): Refers to one's paths, endeavors, or life's course. The lack of prosperity impacts every aspect of life, demonstrating the comprehensive nature of the curse.
• and you shall be only oppressed (wə-hāyîtā raq `āšūq): `Ašūq (עָשׂוּק) is the passive participle of `ashaqa (עָשַׁק), to oppress, extort, defraud. This points to the vulnerability created by the disorientation; without divine protection, the people become easy targets for others to exploit.
• and plundered (wə-gāzūl): Gāzūl (גָּזוּל) is from gazal (גָּזַל), meaning to rob, to tear away, to plunder by violence. It signifies the continuous violent seizure of possessions, indicating vulnerability and external assault.
• continually (tāmîd): Tāmîd (תָּמִיד) means continuously, perpetually, regularly. This adverb stresses the relentless and unceasing nature of the oppression and plunder. There is no respite or relief from the affliction.
• and no one shall save you (wə-ʔên mōšîaʿ lāk): Mōšîaʿ (מוֹשִׁיעַ) is a deliverer, savior. This climactic phrase underscores utter hopelessness and lack of divine or human intervention. It signifies that God Himself has withdrawn His protective hand, making rescue impossible.

Word-groups analysis:

• "You shall grope at noonday as the blind gropes in darkness": This phrase encapsulates the core idea of utter confusion and incapacitation. The image of groping in the brightest part of the day (noon) underscores a profound, divinely-inflicted spiritual and physical blindness that defies natural order. It's an internal darkness superimposed on external light. This suggests not just physical blindness but a severe loss of discernment and ability to navigate life's challenges.
• "and you shall not prosper in your ways": This directly links the "groping" with tangible, adverse outcomes. Without clear vision or guidance, all efforts and paths lead to failure, reflecting a complete lack of divine favor and blessing. It implies wasted effort and unproductive existence.
• "and you shall be only oppressed and plundered continually": This depicts the consequence of the prior conditions – vulnerability and defenselessness. The continuous nature (continually) highlights the relentless suffering at the hands of others, stemming from the inability to defend oneself or discern threats. It illustrates a state of chronic victimization.
• "and no one shall save you": This phrase signifies the absolute and final nature of the curse. It points to a complete abandonment by God, who typically acts as Israel's savior. When God removes His hand of salvation, no human effort or external force can provide rescue, cementing a state of utter hopelessness and judgment.

Deuteronomy 28 29 Bonus section

The spiritual dimension of this curse extends beyond ancient Israel's physical struggles. In the New Testament, blindness often serves as a metaphor for spiritual ignorance and unbelief. Jesus frequently encountered those who could physically see but were spiritually blind, critiquing religious leaders for their inability to perceive God's truth (e.g., John 9). Paul further expands on this, describing how a "veil" remains over the hearts of those who read the Old Testament without understanding Christ (2 Cor 3:14), effectively causing them to grope in spiritual darkness despite the "light" of scripture. This curse in Deuteronomy thus finds a profound echo in the New Testament's understanding of humanity's natural spiritual condition apart from God's illuminating grace, where many "walk in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened" (Eph 4:17-18). Only Christ can open blind eyes (Luke 4:18), delivering from the oppression of sin and ignorance.

Deuteronomy 28 29 Commentary

Deuteronomy 28:29 delivers a chilling prophetic indictment against covenant unfaithfulness. It moves beyond typical physical curses to describe a debilitating state of mental and spiritual disorientation. The central image of "groping at noonday as the blind gropes in darkness" is intensely powerful. Midday, the time of maximum illumination, is contrasted with the experience of total blindness, indicating a supernatural affliction rather than mere physical handicap. It is God's judgment that prevents understanding and clear direction even when circumstances appear clear to others. This condition makes any undertaking futile ("shall not prosper in your ways"), leading to chronic victimization where they are perpetually exploited ("oppressed and plundered continually"). The chilling finality, "and no one shall save you," reveals the complete absence of divine intervention and human succor, marking the deepest point of divine judgment. This verse underlines that rebellion against God leads to a comprehensive breakdown of order, discernment, and safety, plunging the rebellious into perpetual confusion, helplessness, and an inability to escape their misery.