Deuteronomy 28:25

Authorized King James Version

The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
יִתֶּנְךָ֙
H5414
shall cause
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#2
יְהוָ֥ה׀
H3068
The LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
נִגָּף֮
H5062
thee to be smitten
to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)
#4
לְפָנָ֑יו
H6440
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#5
אֹֽיְבֶיךָ֒
H341
thine enemies
hating; an adversary
#6
דְרָכִ֖ים
H1870
way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#7
אֶחָד֙
H259
one
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
#8
תֵּצֵ֣א
H3318
thou shalt go out
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
#9
אֵלָ֔יו
H413
near, with or among; often in general, to
#10
וּבְשִׁבְעָ֥ה
H7651
seven
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
#11
דְרָכִ֖ים
H1870
way
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
#12
תָּנ֣וּס
H5127
against them and flee
to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
#13
לְפָנָ֑יו
H6440
before
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
#14
וְהָיִ֣יתָ
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#15
לְזַֽעֲוָ֔ה
H2189
them and shalt be removed
agitation, maltreatment
#16
לְכֹ֖ל
H3605
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#17
מַמְלְכ֥וֹת
H4467
into all the kingdoms
dominion, i.e., (abstractly) the estate (rule) or (concretely) the country (realm)
#18
הָאָֽרֶץ׃
H776
of the earth
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

Analysis

The kingdom of God theme here intersects with the progressive revelation of God's rule from creation to consummation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of development from creation mandate through Davidic kingdom to eschatological fulfillment. The phrase emphasizing kingdom relates to eschatology and the ultimate purpose of God's redemptive plan and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's reign from creation through the millennial kingdom.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on kingdom of God particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show imperial and royal imagery familiar to subjects of ancient monarchies, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

Related Resources

Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.

Study Resources