Deuteronomy 28:48

Authorized King James Version

Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְעָֽבַדְתָּ֣
Therefore shalt thou serve
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
#2
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
אֹֽיְבֶ֗יךָ
thine enemies
hating; an adversary
#4
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#5
יְשַׁלְּחֶ֤נּוּ
shall send
to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)
#6
יְהוָה֙
which the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#7
בָּ֔ךְ
H0
#8
בְּרָעָ֧ב
against thee in hunger
hunger (more or less extensive)
#9
וּבְצָמָ֛א
and in thirst
thirst (literally or figuratively)
#10
וּבְעֵירֹ֖ם
and in nakedness
nudity
#11
וּבְחֹ֣סֶר
and in want
poverty
#12
כֹּ֑ל
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
#13
וְנָתַ֞ן
of all things and he shall put
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#14
עֹ֤ל
a yoke
a yoke (as imposed on the neck), literally or figuratively
#15
בַּרְזֶל֙
of iron
iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement
#16
עַל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#17
צַוָּארֶ֔ךָ
upon thy neck
the back of the neck (as that on which burdens are bound)
#18
עַ֥ד
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
#19
הִשְׁמִיד֖וֹ
until he have destroyed
to desolate
#20
אֹתָֽךְ׃
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Deuteronomy. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

The literary and historical milieu of the literary conventions and historical circumstances of biblical literature shapes this text's meaning. The historical development of salvation within the theological tradition of Deuteronomy Understanding the ancient worldview that shaped the author's theological expression helps modern readers appreciate why the author emphasizes divine sovereignty in this particular way.

Questions for Reflection

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