Deuteronomy 28:40
Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit.
Original Language Analysis
זֵיתֶֽךָ׃
Thou shalt have olive trees
H2132
זֵיתֶֽךָ׃
Thou shalt have olive trees
Strong's:
H2132
Word #:
1 of 11
an olive (as yielding illuminating oil), the tree, the branch or the berry
יִֽהְי֥וּ
H1961
יִֽהְי֥וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
2 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
4 of 11
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
גְּבוּלֶ֑ךָ
throughout all thy coasts
H1366
גְּבוּלֶ֑ךָ
throughout all thy coasts
Strong's:
H1366
Word #:
5 of 11
properly, a cord (as twisted), i.e., (by implication) a boundary; by extension the territory inclosed
וְשֶׁ֙מֶן֙
thyself with the oil
H8081
וְשֶׁ֙מֶן֙
thyself with the oil
Strong's:
H8081
Word #:
6 of 11
grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תָס֔וּךְ
but thou shalt not anoint
H5480
תָס֔וּךְ
but thou shalt not anoint
Strong's:
H5480
Word #:
8 of 11
properly, to smear over (with oil), i.e., anoint
כִּ֥י
H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
9 of 11
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
Historical Context
Olive cultivation was central to Mediterranean economy. Trees took 15-20 years to mature, and a single crop failure was devastating, but chronic failure meant generational poverty. Habakkuk 3:17 describes similar agricultural devastation requiring faith despite circumstances.
Questions for Reflection
- What does having trees but no oil teach about religious activity without genuine spiritual life?
- How does this curse illustrate the difference between possessing religious forms and experiencing God's actual blessing?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit. Olive oil was essential in ancient Israel—used for cooking, lighting, medicine, anointing, and religious ritual. The Hebrew nashal (cast/drop prematurely) indicates crop failure before maturity. Possessing olive groves yet lacking oil meant having wealth you cannot access—tantalizing proximity to provision without actual benefit.
Oil symbolized the Holy Spirit's anointing (1 Samuel 16:13, Acts 10:38). Lacking oil despite having trees pictures religious form without spiritual power—like the foolish virgins with lamps but no oil (Matthew 25:1-13). Covenant violation produces external religion devoid of genuine divine presence.