Deuteronomy 28:20
The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.
Original Language Analysis
יְשַׁלַּ֣ח
shall send
H7971
יְשַׁלַּ֣ח
shall send
Strong's:
H7971
Word #:
1 of 24
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
יְהוָ֣ה׀
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה׀
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 24
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
6 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְאֶת
H853
וְאֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 24
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
10 of 24
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
מִשְׁלַ֥ח
in all that thou settest
H4916
מִשְׁלַ֥ח
in all that thou settest
Strong's:
H4916
Word #:
11 of 24
a sending out, i.e., (abstractly) presentation (favorable), or seizure (unfavorable); also (concretely) a place of dismissal, or a business to be disc
יָֽדְךָ֖
thine hand
H3027
יָֽדְךָ֖
thine hand
Strong's:
H3027
Word #:
12 of 24
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
13 of 24
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֑ה
unto for to do
H6213
תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֑ה
unto for to do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
14 of 24
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
עַ֣ד
H5704
עַ֣ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
15 of 24
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
17 of 24
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
אֲבָדְךָ֙
and until thou perish
H6
אֲבָדְךָ֙
and until thou perish
Strong's:
H6
Word #:
18 of 24
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
מִפְּנֵ֛י
because
H6440
מִפְּנֵ֛י
because
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
20 of 24
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
רֹ֥עַ
of the wickedness
H7455
רֹ֥עַ
of the wickedness
Strong's:
H7455
Word #:
21 of 24
badness (as marring), physically or morally
Cross References
Isaiah 66:15For, behold, the LORD will come with fire, and with his chariots like a whirlwind, to render his anger with fury, and his rebuke with flames of fire.Malachi 2:2If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.Isaiah 51:20Thy sons have fainted, they lie at the head of all the streets, as a wild bull in a net: they are full of the fury of the LORD, the rebuke of thy God.Deuteronomy 4:26I call heaven and earth to witness against you this day, that ye shall soon utterly perish from off the land whereunto ye go over Jordan to possess it; ye shall not prolong your days upon it, but shall utterly be destroyed.John 3:36He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.Isaiah 30:17One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill.Isaiah 28:19From the time that it goeth forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.Joshua 23:16When ye have transgressed the covenant of the LORD your God, which he commanded you, and have gone and served other gods, and bowed yourselves to them; then shall the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and ye shall perish quickly from off the good land which he hath given unto you.Leviticus 26:38And ye shall perish among the heathen, and the land of your enemies shall eat you up.
Historical Context
Israel's history tragically demonstrated this pattern: during the judges period, apostasy brought foreign oppression and social chaos (Judges 2:11-19); under evil kings, military defeats and agricultural failures plagued the land (1 Kings 14:15-16; 2 Chronicles 36:15-17). The 'confusion' (mehumah) appeared in battle panic (Deuteronomy 7:23), failed strategies, and social breakdown. The phrase 'forsaken Me' appears repeatedly in prophetic indictments (Jeremiah 2:13; 5:19; 16:11), showing that covenant violation wasn't merely ethical failure but relational betrayal of Yahweh. The 'quick' destruction came both gradually (progressive decline) and suddenly (invasions, sieges, exile)—divine patience eventually gives way to decisive judgment.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the personal language 'you have forsaken Me' reveal that covenant violation is fundamentally relational betrayal, not just rule-breaking?
- What does it mean that God actively opposes what covenant violators 'set their hand to'—can human effort succeed apart from divine favor?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do—This verse intensifies previous pronouncements by making Yahweh Himself the active agent of judgment. Three terms describe His action: me'erah (מְאֵרָה, cursing/oath), mehumah (מְהוּמָה, confusion/panic), and mig'eret (מִגְעֶרֶת, rebuke/threat). The first denotes covenant curse fulfillment; the second describes psychological/social disarray (Deuteronomy 7:23; 1 Samuel 14:20); the third conveys divine correction and discipline. Together they create an atmosphere of comprehensive frustration where nothing succeeds.
The phrase bemishlo'akh yadkha (בְּכָל־מִשְׁלַח יָדְךָ, in all that you set your hand to) echoes blessing language from verse 8 and 12, but with opposite results—divine opposition rather than favor. The consequences are catastrophic: ad hishamedkha ve'ad avodkha maher (עַד הִשָּֽׁמֶדְךָ וְעַד אָבְדְךָ מַהֵר, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly). The dual verbs shamad (destroy) and avad (perish) emphasize total ruin, while maher (quickly/suddenly) indicates the judgment's speed. The stated cause: mipene roa ma'alelekha asher azavtani (מִפְּנֵי רֹעַ מַעֲלָלֶיךָ אֲשֶׁר עֲזַבְתָּנִי, because of the evil of your deeds by which you forsook Me)—personal apostasy, abandoning covenant relationship with Yahweh.