Deuteronomy 28:43
The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low.
Original Language Analysis
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 11
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בְּקִרְבְּךָ֔
that is within
H7130
בְּקִרְבְּךָ֔
that is within
Strong's:
H7130
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)
יַֽעֲלֶ֥ה
thee shall get up
H5927
יַֽעֲלֶ֥ה
thee shall get up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
4 of 11
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
עָלֶ֖יךָ
H5921
עָלֶ֖יךָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 11
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
מָּ֑עְלָה
above thee very
H4605
מָּ֑עְלָה
above thee very
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
6 of 11
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
מָּ֑עְלָה
above thee very
H4605
מָּ֑עְלָה
above thee very
Strong's:
H4605
Word #:
7 of 11
properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc
תֵרֵ֖ד
and thou shalt come down
H3381
תֵרֵ֖ד
and thou shalt come down
Strong's:
H3381
Word #:
9 of 11
to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau
Historical Context
This was fulfilled during Babylonian and Persian rule when foreign-appointed governors (like Tattenai, Ezra 5:3) held power over Judah. In the intertestamental period, Greek and Roman overlords ruled the promised land. Even today, modern Israel navigates complex relationships with resident populations—echoes of ancient covenant curses.
Questions for Reflection
- What does status reversal with resident aliens teach about covenant blessings being conditional, not automatic?
- How does Paul's olive tree metaphor (Romans 11) connect to this Deuteronomic curse?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low. Complete reversal of promised social order—the ger (sojourner/alien) who should have dwelt under Israel's blessing would instead rise above them. The contrast very high/very low emphasizes extreme status reversal. Where Deuteronomy 28:1 promised Israel would be "set on high above all nations," now foreigners within their own land would dominate them.
This curse reverses Genesis 12:3's promise that nations would be blessed through Abraham's seed. Instead, the stranger prospers while covenant people languish. Nehemiah witnessed this in post-exilic Jerusalem—Gentile governors ruled while Jews struggled. It ultimately pictures the church (wild olive branches) being grafted in while natural branches were broken off (Romans 11:17-24).