The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land—The Hebrew yadvek Yahweh bekha et-hadaver (יַדְבֵּק יְהוָה בְּךָ אֶת־הַדָּבֶר, the LORD will cause pestilence to cling to you) uses the verb davak (cling/cleave), the same word describing covenant loyalty (Deuteronomy 10:20; 11:22; 13:4) and marital union (Genesis 2:24). Ironically, what should 'cling' to Israel is Yahweh Himself through covenant faithfulness; instead, dever (pestilence/plague) clings relentlessly. The term dever often represents epidemic disease, appearing frequently in judgment contexts (Exodus 9:3; Jeremiah 14:12; Ezekiel 14:19).
The phrase ad kaloto otkha me'al ha'adamah (עַד כַּלֹּתוֹ אֹֽתְךָ מֵעַל הָאֲדָמָה, until it consumes you from upon the land) indicates total removal from covenant inheritance. The land—central to Abrahamic promises—becomes a place of death rather than life. This reverses the Exodus deliverance where God brought Israel out of Egypt into Canaan; now plague removes them from the Promised Land. The irony is profound: the land promised for inheritance becomes impossible to inhabit under covenant curse. Only obedience makes land possession sustainable.
Historical Context
Pestilence repeatedly struck Israel during periods of covenant violation: the plague after David's census killed 70,000 (2 Samuel 24:15); plagues accompanied Assyrian and Babylonian invasions (Jeremiah 21:6-9; 27:8, 13; Ezekiel 5:12). Ancient Near Eastern sieges often brought epidemic disease due to crowding, starvation, and poor sanitation—conditions described later in Deuteronomy 28. The clinging, persistent nature of plague meant it didn't strike once and leave, but remained endemic, progressively weakening the population until territorial possession became impossible. Archaeological evidence shows population decline in 8th-6th century BC Israel/Judah, consistent with plague, warfare, and eventual exile.
Questions for Reflection
How does the ironic use of 'cling' (davak)—meant for covenant loyalty—highlight the tragedy of pestilence replacing God's presence?
What does it mean that the Promised Land becomes uninhabitable under covenant curse—can we possess God's promises while violating His covenant?
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Analysis & Commentary
The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land—The Hebrew yadvek Yahweh bekha et-hadaver (יַדְבֵּק יְהוָה בְּךָ אֶת־הַדָּבֶר, the LORD will cause pestilence to cling to you) uses the verb davak (cling/cleave), the same word describing covenant loyalty (Deuteronomy 10:20; 11:22; 13:4) and marital union (Genesis 2:24). Ironically, what should 'cling' to Israel is Yahweh Himself through covenant faithfulness; instead, dever (pestilence/plague) clings relentlessly. The term dever often represents epidemic disease, appearing frequently in judgment contexts (Exodus 9:3; Jeremiah 14:12; Ezekiel 14:19).
The phrase ad kaloto otkha me'al ha'adamah (עַד כַּלֹּתוֹ אֹֽתְךָ מֵעַל הָאֲדָמָה, until it consumes you from upon the land) indicates total removal from covenant inheritance. The land—central to Abrahamic promises—becomes a place of death rather than life. This reverses the Exodus deliverance where God brought Israel out of Egypt into Canaan; now plague removes them from the Promised Land. The irony is profound: the land promised for inheritance becomes impossible to inhabit under covenant curse. Only obedience makes land possession sustainable.