Deuteronomy 28 47

Deuteronomy 28:47 kjv

Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;

Deuteronomy 28:47 nkjv

"Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joy and gladness of heart, for the abundance of everything,

Deuteronomy 28:47 niv

Because you did not serve the LORD your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity,

Deuteronomy 28:47 esv

Because you did not serve the LORD your God with joyfulness and gladness of heart, because of the abundance of all things,

Deuteronomy 28:47 nlt

If you do not serve the LORD your God with joy and enthusiasm for the abundant benefits you have received,

Deuteronomy 28 verses

Deuteronomy 28 47 Meaning

Deuteronomy 28:47 states the foundational reason for the covenant curses that follow: Israel's failure to serve the Lord their God with the proper heart disposition. Despite having received immense blessings and an abundance of all things from Him, they neglected to offer worship and obedience characterized by true joy and gladness of heart. This verse underscores that mere outward obedience was insufficient; God desired a willing, joyful, and grateful devotion from His people in response to His generosity. Their lack of inner delight in His service, especially given their prosperity, became the very cause of the impending calamities.

Deuteronomy 28 47 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 28 presents a pivotal covenant discourse between God and Israel, detailing the blessings that would follow obedience (vv. 1-14) and the curses for disobedience (vv. 15-68). Verse 47 serves as a crucial bridge, directly linking Israel's failure to how they served God—or rather, failed to serve Him—to the comprehensive curses that dominate the remainder of the chapter. Historically, this discourse was delivered by Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they were to enter the Promised Land. It reinforced the conditional nature of their covenant relationship with Yahweh and warned them that possession of the land was not guaranteed but dependent upon their sustained faithfulness, especially the inward devotion of their hearts, even amid prosperity.

Deuteronomy 28 47 Word analysis

• Because (יַעַן - ya'an): This is a strong causal conjunction, clearly indicating that what follows is the fundamental reason or basis for the preceding and subsequent consequences (the curses). It highlights a direct and unavoidable linkage between Israel's spiritual failure and their future judgment.
• you did not serve (לֹא עָבַדְתָּ - lo avad'ta): The root עָבַד (avad) means "to serve, to work, to labor, to worship." The negation (לֹא - lo) indicates not just a failure to perform certain actions but a deeper deficiency. This service encompasses all aspects of their covenant obligation: obedience, worship, and daily conduct. The lack of service here is not merely external omission but internal spiritual neglect.
• the Lord your God (יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ - YHWH Eloheykha): This dual designation emphasizes the specific covenant relationship. "YHWH" (Lord) is the personal, covenant name of God, highlighting His faithfulness and covenant bonds. "Eloheykha" (your God) stresses His particular relationship as Israel's sovereign ruler and benefactor. Their failure was thus a betrayal of this personal, intimate covenant.
• with joy (בְּשִׂמְחָה - be'simchah): The word שִׂמְחָה (simchah) denotes inner delight, gladness, rejoicing. It implies enthusiasm and a willing spirit. Service to God was not meant to be a grudging obligation or burdensome duty but an expression of profound joy, stemming from the blessings received and the privilege of His presence. This absence reveals a spiritual apathy.
• and gladness of heart (וּבְטוּב לֵבָב - u'v'tuv levav): The phrase combines טוּב (tuv), meaning goodness, prosperity, or well-being, and לֵבָב (levav), which is "heart." In Hebrew thought, the "heart" signifies the entire inner being—the intellect, emotions, will, and conscience. "Gladness of heart" suggests a disposition of cheerfulness, contentment, and well-being rooted deeply within, expressing a genuine pleasure in God and His commands. This reveals that their inner state was rotten.
• for the abundance of everything (מֵרֹב כֹּל - me'rov kol): This prepositional phrase means "out of the abundance of all (things)" or "because of the multiplicity of all (things)." It refers to the rich provisions and blessings God had showered upon them (cf. Dt 28:1-14). The irony and tragedy are emphasized: instead of God's overflowing goodness eliciting deeper joy and gratitude, it led to complacency and ungratefulness, thus highlighting the gravity of their sin. They were unthankful amidst great prosperity.

• Words-group analysis:
  • "did not serve the Lord your God with joy and gladness of heart": This phrase transcends mere external religious observance. It indicates a fundamental failure of internal spiritual disposition. God demanded not just actions, but affections; not just rituals, but genuine love and enthusiasm flowing from the deepest parts of their being. The lack of this inner disposition rendered their external "service" void and unacceptable to God, exposing a profound spiritual bankruptcy.
  • "for the abundance of everything": This part reveals the paradoxical and aggravating nature of Israel's sin. Their lack of joyful service occurred despite being recipients of vast, comprehensive blessings from God. Their prosperity should have been the very motivation for enthusiastic worship and faithful service. Instead, it became a breeding ground for forgetfulness and ingratitude, amplifying their culpability.

Deuteronomy 28 47 Bonus section

The concept of serving God with joy and gladness is not unique to Deuteronomy. It is a recurring theme indicating the depth of relationship God desires. This verse stands as a severe warning that receiving divine blessings without cultivating a grateful heart leads to severe consequences. The absence of joy in their service suggests a deeper issue: a lack of faith in God's goodness, a failure to remember His works, or perhaps a hardening of their hearts to His presence. This internal spiritual neglect paved the way for them to embrace foreign practices and abandon the covenant altogether, leading to national disaster as seen repeatedly in the biblical narrative. The emphasis here is on the motive behind obedience; outward forms without inward spirit are unacceptable to God.

Deuteronomy 28 47 Commentary

Deuteronomy 28:47 articulates the critical principle that true covenant obedience is not merely external conformity but stems from an internal posture of joy and gratitude towards the Lord. The impending curses, meticulously detailed in the subsequent verses, are attributed directly to Israel's spiritual deficiency: they served God without heart, failing to find delight in Him or His commandments, despite receiving His generous provision. This verse powerfully teaches that divine judgment is often rooted in ingratitude and a cold heart towards the Giver of all good things, demonstrating that God desires willing love more than reluctant duty. This principle reverberates throughout the Bible, emphasizing that genuine worship and service flow from a heart transformed by joy and thankfulness.