Deuteronomy 28:33
The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up; and thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway:
Original Language Analysis
וְכָל
H3605
וְכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 15
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יְגִ֣יעֲךָ֔
and all thy labours
H3018
יְגִ֣יעֲךָ֔
and all thy labours
Strong's:
H3018
Word #:
4 of 15
toil; hence, a work, produce, property (as the result of labor)
עַ֖ם
shall a nation
H5971
עַ֖ם
shall a nation
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
6 of 15
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
8 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדָ֑עְתָּ
which thou knowest
H3045
יָדָ֑עְתָּ
which thou knowest
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
9 of 15
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
וְהָיִ֗יתָ
H1961
וְהָיִ֗יתָ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
10 of 15
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
רַ֛ק
H7535
רַ֛ק
Strong's:
H7535
Word #:
11 of 15
properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although
עָשׁ֥וּק
and thou shalt be only oppressed
H6231
עָשׁ֥וּק
and thou shalt be only oppressed
Strong's:
H6231
Word #:
12 of 15
to press upon, i.e., oppress, defraud, violate, overflow
וְרָצ֖וּץ
and crushed
H7533
וְרָצ֖וּץ
and crushed
Strong's:
H7533
Word #:
13 of 15
to crack in pieces, literally or figuratively
Historical Context
Written circa 1406 BC, this prophecy precisely described the Assyrian invasion (722 BC) that deported the Northern Kingdom, and the Babylonian conquest (586 BC) that exiled Judah. Both empires were distant foreigners who confiscated agricultural produce while crushing Israel under tribute and forced labor.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God specifically send unknown foreign nations rather than familiar neighboring enemies?
- What does perpetual oppression without relief teach about the duration of covenant judgment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The fruit of thy land, and all thy labours, shall a nation which thou knowest not eat up. The phrase am asher lo-yada'ta (עַם אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יָדַעְתָּ, a nation which thou knowest not) identifies foreign invaders as culturally alien enemies—not neighboring peoples but distant empires like Assyria and Babylon. This intensifies the horror: conquered by strangers whose language and customs Israel didn't understand.
And thou shalt be only oppressed and crushed alway uses ratzatz (רָצַץ, crushed/shattered), depicting grinding oppression without relief. Alway (kol-hayamim, כָּל־הַיָּמִים, all the days) indicates perpetual subjugation, not temporary setback. Isaiah 1:7 describes this exact scenario: "Your country is desolate, your cities burned with fire: your land, strangers devour it in your presence."