Deuteronomy 28:13
And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:
Original Language Analysis
וּנְתָֽנְךָ֙
shall make
H5414
וּנְתָֽנְךָ֙
shall make
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 23
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָ֣ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְרֹאשׁ֙
thee the head
H7218
לְרֹאשׁ֙
thee the head
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
3 of 23
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
וְלֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
4 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
וְהָיִ֙יתָ֙
H1961
וְהָיִ֙יתָ֙
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
רַ֣ק
H7535
רַ֣ק
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
7 of 23
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
לְמַ֔עְלָה
and thou shalt be above only
H4605
לְמַ֔עְלָה
and thou shalt be above only
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
8 of 23
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 23
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִֽהְיֶ֖ה
H1961
תִֽהְיֶ֖ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 23
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
לְמָ֑טָּה
and thou shalt not be beneath
H4295
לְמָ֑טָּה
and thou shalt not be beneath
Strong's:
H4295
Word #:
11 of 23
downward, below or beneath; often adverbially with or without prefixes
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 23
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תִשְׁמַ֞ע
if that thou hearken
H8085
תִשְׁמַ֞ע
if that thou hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
13 of 23
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
מִצְוֹ֣ת׀
unto the commandments
H4687
מִצְוֹ֣ת׀
unto the commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
15 of 23
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
יְהוָ֣ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
16 of 23
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
17 of 23
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
18 of 23
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
הַיּ֖וֹם
thee this day
H3117
הַיּ֖וֹם
thee this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
21 of 23
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
Cross References
Deuteronomy 28:1And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:Philippians 1:27Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ: that whether I come and see you, or else be absent, I may hear of your affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;
Historical Context
Israel's headship was realized during Solomon's reign when surrounding nations sought wisdom and alliance (1 Kings 10:1-13, 23-24). However, Israel more often experienced subjugation: Egyptian slavery, Philistine oppression, Assyrian/Babylonian exile, Persian/Greek/Roman domination. Their disobedience brought the promised reversal—becoming 'tail' rather than 'head.' The prophets longed for Israel's restoration to covenant blessing (Isaiah 60-62). In Christ, the New Israel (the Church) is exalted above spiritual principalities and powers, though not promised temporal political dominance.
Questions for Reflection
- How should spiritual 'headship' in Christ shape your self-perception and service to others?
- What evidence of being 'above only' (spiritual blessing and authority) versus 'beneath' (defeated by sin) appears in your life?
- How can you live in the reality of your exalted status in Christ without arrogance or worldly triumphalism?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
The promise 'the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail' uses imagery of leadership versus subordination. 'Above only, and... not beneath' emphasizes superiority and blessing. This isn't promising arrogant domination but covenantal precedence—Israel was to be God's showcase nation, demonstrating the benefits of knowing and serving the true God. The condition is explicit: 'if that thou hearken unto the commandments... observe and do them.' The promise is certain but not unconditional. Christ, as the ultimate obedient Son, is supremely 'head' (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22), and believers share His exalted status (Ephesians 2:6).