Deuteronomy 28:13

Authorized King James Version

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:

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּנְתָֽנְךָ֙
H5414
shall make
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#2
יְהוָ֣ה
H3068
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
לְרֹאשׁ֙
H7218
thee the head
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#4
וְלֹ֣א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#5
לְזָנָ֔ב
H2180
and not the tail
the tail (literally or figuratively)
#6
וְהָיִ֙יתָ֙
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#7
רַ֣ק
H7535
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
#8
לְמַ֔עְלָה
H4605
and thou shalt be above only
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
#9
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#10
תִֽהְיֶ֖ה
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#11
לְמָ֑טָּה
H4295
and thou shalt not be beneath
downward, below or beneath; often adverbially with or without prefixes
#12
כִּֽי
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#13
תִשְׁמַ֞ע
H8085
if that thou hearken
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#14
אֶל
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#15
מִצְוֹ֣ת׀
H4687
unto the commandments
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
#16
יְהוָ֣ה
H3068
And the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#17
אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ
H430
thy God
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
#18
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#19
אָֽנֹכִ֧י
H595
i
#20
מְצַוְּךָ֛
H6680
which I command
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
#21
הַיּ֖וֹם
H3117
thee this day
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
#22
לִשְׁמֹ֥ר
H8104
to observe
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
#23
וְלַֽעֲשֽׂוֹת׃
H6213
and to do
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

Analysis

Within the broader context of Deuteronomy, this passage highlights salvation through universal language and absolute statements. The theological weight of divine sovereignty connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine sovereignty, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by building upon previous themes while advancing the overall message of Deuteronomy.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Deuteronomy Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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