Deuteronomy 28:50 kjv
A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor show favor to the young:
Deuteronomy 28:50 nkjv
a nation of fierce countenance, which does not respect the elderly nor show favor to the young.
Deuteronomy 28:50 niv
a fierce-looking nation without respect for the old or pity for the young.
Deuteronomy 28:50 esv
a hard-faced nation who shall not respect the old or show mercy to the young.
Deuteronomy 28:50 nlt
a fierce and heartless nation that shows no respect for the old and no pity for the young.
Deuteronomy 28 50 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Fulfillment & Similar Prophecies of Cruel Invaders: | ||
| Jer 5:15-17 | "Lo, I will bring a nation upon you from afar, O house of Israel... an ancient nation, a nation whose language you know not... Their quiver is an open sepulchre, they are all mighty men." | Prophecy of an unknown, ruthless invading nation (Babylon). |
| Jer 6:22-23 | "Thus saith the LORD, Behold, a people cometh from the north country, and a great nation... they are cruel, and have no mercy; their voice roareth like the sea; and they ride upon horses, set in array as men for war against thee, O daughter of Zion." | Describes the invader as cruel and without mercy, echoing Deut 28:50. |
| Lam 5:12 | "Princes are hanged up by their hand: the faces of elders were not honoured." | Describes the brutal lack of respect for authority and the elderly during judgment. |
| 2 Chr 36:17 | "Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand." | Direct historical fulfillment showing no mercy for any age group by the Babylonians. |
| Hab 1:6-10 | "For, lo, I raise up the Chaldeans, that bitter and hasty nation... They are terrible and dreadful... their horses also are swifter than the leopards, and are more fierce than the evening wolves... they shall gather the captivity as the sand." | God raises up the terrifying Chaldeans who show no regard for anyone. |
| Is 13:16-18 | "Their children also shall be dashed to pieces before their eyes... their eye shall not spare children." | Description of Babylonian ruthlessness against conquered peoples. |
| Is 27:11 | "...a people of no understanding: therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them..." | Links lack of understanding/obedience to divine judgment and absence of mercy. |
| Ez 7:2-3 | "An end is come upon the four corners of the land. Now is the end come upon thee... I will send mine anger upon thee, and will judge thee according to thy ways..." | God's comprehensive judgment signifying the "end" for Israel. |
| Consequences of Disobedience / Broader Divine Judgment: | ||
| Lev 26:14-39 | Extensive list of curses for disobedience, parallel to Deut 28. | Parallels the comprehensive nature of the curses and consequences of breaking covenant. |
| Deut 32:20-25 | "I will spend mine arrows upon them... the sword without, and terror within, shall destroy both the young man and the virgin, the suckling also with the man of gray hairs." | Divine vengeance leading to indiscriminate destruction of all ages, very similar to Deut 28:50. |
| Psa 78:59-64 | "When God heard this, he was wroth... He delivered their strength into captivity, and their glory into the enemy's hand... there was none to lament." | God's anger and delivering His people to their enemies without mercy. |
| Psa 106:40-42 | "Therefore was the wrath of the LORD kindled against his people... He gave them into the hand of the heathen; and they that hated them ruled over them." | Divine wrath leading to oppression by hateful foreign nations. |
| Rom 11:22 | "Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness..." | Highlights the dual nature of God's character: severe judgment for disobedience. |
| Zech 14:1-2 | "For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle... and the city shall be taken..." | Prophecy of nations besieging Jerusalem in judgment. |
| Joel 2:2-11 | Describes a mighty army, like a swarm, relentless and unyielding, overwhelming everything. | Evokes the terrifying nature of an unstoppable invading force, similar to the description in Deut 28. |
| Opposite of Commanded Social Values in Israel: | ||
| Lev 19:32 | "Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man, and fear thy God: I am the LORD." | Emphasizes the societal and divine command to respect the elderly. |
| Pro 16:31 | "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness." | Proverb praising old age when lived righteously, emphasizing respect. |
| Pro 20:29 | "The glory of young men is their strength: and the beauty of old men is the grey head." | Shows value in both young and old, implying their inherent dignity. |
| 1 Tim 5:1-2 | "Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father... the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters..." | New Testament command to treat elderly with respect and young with purity, contrasting the enemy's actions. |
Deuteronomy 28 verses
Deuteronomy 28 50 Meaning
Deuteronomy 28:50 describes the nature of the foreign nation that God would bring upon Israel as a judgment for their disobedience. This nation would be characterized by extreme cruelty and ruthlessness, utterly devoid of compassion or respect. They would not spare the lives of the elderly, nor show any mercy or favor to the young, signifying an indiscriminate and devastating destruction across all age groups and societal structures.
Deuteronomy 28 50 Context
Deuteronomy 28 is a pivotal chapter in the book, outlining the blessings for obedience to God's covenant and the severe curses for disobedience. It serves as a stark warning to the Israelites just before they enter the Promised Land, emphasizing the consequences of forsaking their covenant relationship with Yahweh. Verses 15-68 describe increasingly devastating curses.
Deuteronomy 28:50 falls within a series of descriptions of a fearsome, unrelenting foreign invader (starting around verse 49). This enemy would be brought by God as a direct result of Israel's rejection of Him and their pursuit of idolatry. The particular emphasis on the enemy's lack of respect for the old and lack of favor for the young underscores the utter totality of the impending destruction, signifying that no one, regardless of age or vulnerability, would be spared. It contrasts sharply with the social norms and divine commands of Israel, which highly valued the protection and honor of both the aged and the vulnerable young. The prophecy warns that even the most sacred human bonds and societal protections would be annihilated by divine judgment.
Deuteronomy 28 50 Word analysis
A nation: In Hebrew, גּוֹי (goy). While it can mean any nation, in this context and frequently in the Old Testament, it refers to a non-Israelite, gentile nation, often with connotations of foreignness or even hostility. Here, it signifies an alien people appointed by God as an instrument of judgment.
of fierce countenance: In Hebrew, עַז פָּנִים (
az panim). This translates literally as "strong of face," "hard of face," or "bold of face." It conveys ruthlessness, impudence, defiance, and a lack of moral shame or tenderness. It implies an aggressive, intimidating demeanor that is completely devoid of pity, incapable of being softened or swayed by suffering, fear, or supplication. This nation would appear fearsome and be utterly unyielding in their destructive intent.which shall not regard: In Hebrew, יַשִּׂיא (yassi’), a form of the verb נָשָׂא (nasa’), meaning "to lift up," "to take up," "to bear." In this specific context, combined with "person," it means "to show partiality," "to have respect for," or "to give favorable consideration." The negative "not regard" emphasizes a complete absence of respectful consideration.
the person: In Hebrew, פָּנִים (panim), meaning "face" or "presence." Here, it's used metonymically for the "individual" or "presence" of a person, emphasizing that their identity or status will grant them no special exemption.
of the old: In Hebrew, זָקֵן (zaqen), referring to an "old man" or "elder." In ancient Israelite society, elders held a respected and honored position, representing wisdom, experience, and authority. The enemy's refusal to respect them signifies the utter breakdown of social order and human decency under God's judgment.
nor shew favour: In Hebrew, יַחֹן (yahon), a form of the verb חָנַן (hanan), meaning "to show pity," "to be gracious," or "to have compassion." This verb is often used to describe God's merciful nature. The negation here highlights the cruel and heartless nature of the invaders; they would offer no clemency or kindness.
to the young: In Hebrew, נָעַר (na`ar), referring to a "young person," "youth," or "child." Children and youth were generally protected and cared for within Israelite society, representing the future. The lack of mercy towards them signifies a complete, generational devastation.
"of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old": This phrase highlights the complete absence of human compassion and established societal norms of respect. The very demeanor of the enemy is described as harsh and unpitying, extending to the venerated aged. It means they will not be moved by appeals based on wisdom, experience, or vulnerability.
"nor shew favour to the young": This completes the picture of total annihilation. While the elderly might evoke respect, the young (especially infants or small children) typically elicit pity and protective instincts. The absence of mercy even for the most helpless signifies the most brutal and indiscriminate judgment. This highlights the all-encompassing nature of the disaster; no age group would be safe, and no tenderness would be extended.
Deuteronomy 28 50 Bonus section
The detailed description of the enemy's character in this verse (and indeed throughout Deut 28) functions as a polemic against any notion that Israel's fate is solely determined by geopolitical power struggles or mere historical contingency. Instead, their future success or devastation is directly linked to their covenant fidelity with Yahweh. The foreign invader, though seemingly powerful in their own right, is ultimately depicted as an agent sent by God. This underscores God's sovereignty over nations and history. The judgment, being universal across age groups, points to a collective national punishment that bypasses individual merit or vulnerability, signifying that the entire nation is under God's righteous wrath.
Deuteronomy 28 50 Commentary
Deuteronomy 28:50 vividly paints a picture of the horrifying consequence of Israel's sustained rebellion against God. The invading nation is portrayed as an instrument of divine judgment, embodying the very opposite of divine grace and Israelite humanitarian values. Their "fierce countenance" reveals their absolute ruthlessness—a moral blindness to suffering and an unshakeable determination to execute judgment. The deliberate emphasis on the complete disregard for both the old and the young underscores the comprehensive nature of this judgment. It speaks of a breakdown so profound that even the most fundamental human decencies—respect for elders and pity for the vulnerable—would be absent. This level of brutality serves to highlight the terrifying holiness of God, who, in His justice, can permit such instruments of judgment to chastise His disobedient people. It demonstrates that the curses are not merely retributive, but also corrective, intending to shock Israel back to covenant fidelity through severe discipline that would devastate every generation. The horror of this prophecy finds historical fulfillment in the invasions by Assyria, Babylon, and ultimately Rome, each embodying aspects of this pitiless, indiscriminate destruction.