Deuteronomy 28:2
And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.
Original Language Analysis
וּבָ֧אוּ
shall come
H935
וּבָ֧אוּ
shall come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 11
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עָלֶ֛יךָ
H5921
עָלֶ֛יךָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַבְּרָכ֥וֹת
And all these blessings
H1293
הַבְּרָכ֥וֹת
And all these blessings
Strong's:
H1293
Word #:
4 of 11
benediction; by implication prosperity
וְהִשִּׂיגֻ֑ךָ
on thee and overtake
H5381
וְהִשִּׂיגֻ֑ךָ
on thee and overtake
Strong's:
H5381
Word #:
6 of 11
to reach (literally or figuratively)
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
7 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תִשְׁמַ֔ע
thee if thou shalt hearken
H8085
תִשְׁמַ֔ע
thee if thou shalt hearken
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
8 of 11
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
Cross References
Zechariah 1:6But my words and my statutes, which I commanded my servants the prophets, did they not take hold of your fathers? and they returned and said, Like as the LORD of hosts thought to do unto us, according to our ways, and according to our doings, so hath he dealt with us.Deuteronomy 28:15But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:1 Timothy 4:8For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.Deuteronomy 28:45Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee:
Historical Context
Israel's early history under Joshua and the faithful judges demonstrated this principle - when they obeyed God, blessing overtook them through military victories, agricultural abundance, and peace with neighbors.
The image would resonate in agricultural society where harvest abundance came as gift from God's blessing on faithful labor.
Questions for Reflection
- What does blessing overtaking the obedient teach about pursuing God versus pursuing blessing?
- How does covenant faithfulness result in abundance pursuing the faithful?
- Why are these conditional covenant blessings rather than universal prosperity principles?
- How does Jesus' teaching about seeking first the kingdom parallel this principle?
- What is the difference between anxiously striving for success and finding blessing through obedience?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. The imagery of blessings coming on thee and overtaking thee pictures abundance pursuing and catching the obedient person. Blessings are not merely received passively but actively pursue those who walk in covenant faithfulness.
This reverses the typical human pursuit of blessing. Rather than anxiously striving after prosperity and success, the obedient find that blessing pursues them. This demonstrates that true flourishing flows from relationship with God, not self-effort.
The repetition if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD reinforces the condition. These blessings are covenant promises, not universal principles - they apply specifically to those in faithful relationship with God.
Jesus teaches similar principle - Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33). Prioritizing God results in provision of needs.