Deuteronomy 28:45
Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee:
Original Language Analysis
וּבָ֨אוּ
shall come
H935
וּבָ֨אוּ
shall come
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
1 of 20
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
עָלֶ֜יךָ
H5921
עָלֶ֜יךָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
2 of 20
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
וּרְדָפ֙וּךָ֙
upon thee and shall pursue
H7291
וּרְדָפ֙וּךָ֙
upon thee and shall pursue
Strong's:
H7291
Word #:
6 of 20
to run after (usually with hostile intent; figuratively [of time] gone by)
וְהִשִּׂיג֔וּךָ
thee and overtake
H5381
וְהִשִּׂיג֔וּךָ
thee and overtake
Strong's:
H5381
Word #:
7 of 20
to reach (literally or figuratively)
עַ֖ד
H5704
עַ֖ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
8 of 20
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
10 of 20
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
11 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
שָׁמַ֗עְתָּ
because thou hearkenedst
H8085
שָׁמַ֗עְתָּ
because thou hearkenedst
Strong's:
H8085
Word #:
12 of 20
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
15 of 20
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
לִשְׁמֹ֛ר
to keep
H8104
לִשְׁמֹ֛ר
to keep
Strong's:
H8104
Word #:
16 of 20
properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc
מִצְוֹתָ֥יו
his commandments
H4687
מִצְוֹתָ֥יו
his commandments
Strong's:
H4687
Word #:
17 of 20
a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 28:15But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:Isaiah 1:20But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.
Historical Context
Israel's history validated this warning—despite prophetic calls to repentance, they continued in idolatry until Babylon destroyed Jerusalem (586 BC). Later, despite Jesus's warnings, AD 70 brought Roman devastation. Covenant curses pursued them relentlessly because covenant violations continued unrepented.
Questions for Reflection
- What do the intensifying verbs (come, pursue, overtake) teach about the certainty and comprehensiveness of divine judgment?
- How does the explicit causal link ("because thou hearkenedst not") refute notions of arbitrary divine cruelty?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Moreover all these curses shall come upon thee, and shall pursue thee, and overtake thee, till thou be destroyed; because thou hearkenedst not unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which he commanded thee. The Hebrew verbs intensify—curses will come (bo), pursue (radaph), and overtake (nasag). This describes relentless, inescapable judgment. Where blessings would pursue the obedient (verse 2), curses now pursue the disobedient unto shamad (destruction/extermination).
The cause is explicit: because thou hearkenedst not. Covenant curses aren't arbitrary divine cruelty—they're covenant-stipulated consequences for covenant violation. The same definiteness that promised blessing for obedience now guarantees curse for disobedience. God's covenant faithfulness operates both directions—He keeps His word in blessing and in judgment.