Deuteronomy 28 58

Deuteronomy 28:58 kjv

If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD;

Deuteronomy 28:58 nkjv

"If you do not carefully observe all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, THE LORD YOUR GOD,

Deuteronomy 28:58 niv

If you do not carefully follow all the words of this law, which are written in this book, and do not revere this glorious and awesome name?the LORD your God?

Deuteronomy 28:58 esv

"If you are not careful to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name, the LORD your God,

Deuteronomy 28:58 nlt

"If you refuse to obey all the words of instruction that are written in this book, and if you do not fear the glorious and awesome name of the LORD your God,

Deuteronomy 28 verses

Deuteronomy 28 58 Meaning

Deuteronomy 28:58 outlines a conditional statement that links the covenant curses to Israel's failure. It warns that if the Israelites do not diligently observe and uphold all the divine instructions contained within this covenant book, particularly by not revering the glorious and awesome character embodied in the Name of Yahweh, their God, then the subsequent curses will befall them. This verse identifies the foundational sin leading to severe consequences as a lack of proper reverence for God Himself, manifested in neglecting His revealed will.

Deuteronomy 28 58 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 28 presents a stark exposition of the blessings for obedience to God's covenant and the severe curses for disobedience. It builds upon Moses' preceding speeches, which reiterated the Law given at Sinai and urged Israel to commit wholeheartedly to the covenant relationship. Verses 1-14 detail abundant blessings—prosperity, health, victory—conditional on "diligently obeying the voice of the Lord your God and carefully observing all His commandments." In stark contrast, verses 15-68 describe increasingly horrifying curses—famine, disease, defeat, exile, and ultimate destruction—should Israel abandon the covenant. Verse 58 acts as a climactic turning point and summarization of the core offense: it attributes the onset of the most dreadful curses, particularly those outlined from this point forward, to Israel's failure to cultivate a proper, worshipful fear and reverence for the "glorious and awesome name" of Yahweh, which underpins true covenant obedience. The historical context is Moses speaking to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, before entering the promised land, reiterating God's expectations and the consequences to firmly impress upon them the critical nature of their faithfulness.

Deuteronomy 28 58 Word analysis

• If you do not carefully observe: Hebrew Im loh tishmor la'asot. Shamar (שָׁמַר) means "to guard," "to keep," "to watch over," implying diligent attention and obedience. The "if...not" introduces a critical condition, signaling severe consequences for negligence. This is not casual disregard but a failure to intentionally heed and carry out God's commands.
• all the words of this law: Hebrew kol divrei ha-torah ha-zot. "Torah" (תּוֹרָה) fundamentally means instruction or teaching, referring to the entire body of divine revelation and commandments given by God. "All" emphasizes that no part of God's revealed will can be ignored or selectively observed. This encompasses moral, ceremonial, and civil instructions given to Israel.
• which are written in this book: Refers to the scroll containing the Mosaic Law, specifically Deuteronomy itself. It underscores the permanence, authority, and divine origin of these commands, making them an objective standard by which Israel's conduct will be judged.
• to fear: Hebrew le-yirah (לְיִרְאָה). This "fear" (yirah) is not mere terror but profound reverence, awe, and worshipful respect. It implies recognizing God's immense power, holiness, and authority, leading to a deep humility and obedience in His presence. It's an internal posture that motivates external action.
• this glorious and awesome name: Hebrew ha-kavod ha-nora shem Yahweh Eloheikha.
  • glorious (kavod, כָּבוֹד): Signifies weighty importance, honor, majesty, splendor, and the manifest presence or reputation of God. It speaks of God's intrinsic greatness.
  • awesome (nora, נוֹרָא): Conveys a sense of dread-inspiring, fearful, or terrible. It describes that which elicits reverential awe due to its overwhelming power, holiness, and majesty, something far beyond human comprehension or control.
  • name (shem, שֵׁם): In ancient Near Eastern thought, a name was not merely an identification tag but represented the very character, reputation, authority, and presence of the entity named. "The Name" here points specifically to Yahweh (YHWH), the covenant God of Israel, embodying His unique attributes and His personal engagement with His people. To "fear the Name" means to revere all that God is as revealed through His actions and attributes, particularly as the covenant-keeping God.
• the Lord your God: Hebrew Yahweh Eloheikha. "Yahweh" (often rendered LORD in English Bibles) is God's covenantal and personal name, emphasizing His eternal, self-existent, and faithful nature. "Elohim" (God) denotes His supreme power and sovereignty as the Creator and Ruler of all. "Your God" reinforces the exclusive covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel, highlighting their special privilege and reciprocal responsibility.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• If you do not carefully observe...to fear: This construction establishes a direct causal link. The failure to "carefully observe" (obey outwardly) stems from an inner failure "to fear" (to revere inwardly). Disobedience is presented as a symptom of a deeper, spiritual problem: a lack of proper awe and honor for God's Person.
• all the words of this law...this glorious and awesome name: The verse equates the comprehensive body of the Law with the "Name" of God. This indicates that the Law is not a set of arbitrary rules but is the direct expression of God's own glorious and awesome character. Therefore, disobeying the Law is equivalent to dishonoring or disdaining the very essence and character of God Himself, revealed in His Name. The reverence for His Name translates into careful observance of His commands.

Deuteronomy 28 58 Bonus section

The concept of "the Name" in biblical thought, especially "the Name of Yahweh," signifies more than a mere title. It encapsulates God's entire being, His attributes, His revealed character, His presence, and His power. To swear by God's Name, to praise His Name, or to call upon His Name all relate to His essence. When Deuteronomy 28:58 speaks of failing "to fear this glorious and awesome name," it means to disregard God's majesty and holiness. This disregard for His intrinsic nature then manifests in a lack of adherence to the Law, which is itself an extension of His character. Therefore, the curses outlined in the remainder of Deuteronomy 28 are a direct consequence of dishonoring the divine Person, not merely a punishment for rule-breaking. This profound understanding elevates mere "law-keeping" to a matter of existential awe and relationship with the divine.

Deuteronomy 28 58 Commentary

Deuteronomy 28:58 is a pivotal verse within the monumental blessings and curses discourse, revealing the fundamental root cause for Israel's potential downfall. It asserts that outward disobedience, the failure to diligently observe "all the words of this law," is ultimately an manifestation of an internal spiritual failure: the lack of a proper, reverential "fear" of Yahweh's "glorious and awesome Name." This is more than merely acknowledging God; it's a profound, worshipful awe that acknowledges His holiness, majesty, power, and exclusive authority as their covenant God. To not fear His Name implies a deep-seated irreverence for who God is, His very character, as revealed through His Law. Such irreverence breeds contempt for His commands, leading directly to the covenant curses that are described in harrowing detail after this verse. It emphasizes that true obedience flows from a deep-seated and constant reverence for the divine character of the Almighty. Without this awe, Israel's obedience would be superficial, unstable, and ultimately lead to covenant breach and divine judgment.