Deuteronomy 28:51
And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee.
Original Language Analysis
בְהֶמְתְּךָ֥
of thy cattle
H929
בְהֶמְתְּךָ֥
of thy cattle
Strong's:
H929
Word #:
3 of 21
properly, a dumb beast; especially any large quadruped or animal (often collective)
עַ֣ד
H5704
עַ֣ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
6 of 21
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
8 of 21
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 #:
9 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יַשְׁאִ֜יר
which also shall not leave
H7604
יַשְׁאִ֜יר
which also shall not leave
Strong's:
H7604
Word #:
10 of 21
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
תִּיר֣וֹשׁ
wine
H8492
תִּיר֣וֹשׁ
wine
Strong's:
H8492
Word #:
13 of 21
must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine
וְיִצְהָ֔ר
or oil
H3323
וְיִצְהָ֔ר
or oil
Strong's:
H3323
Word #:
14 of 21
oil (as producing light); figuratively, anointing
אֲלָפֶ֖יךָ
of thy kine
H504
אֲלָפֶ֖יךָ
of thy kine
Strong's:
H504
Word #:
16 of 21
a family; also (from the sense of yoking or taming) an ox or cow
צֹאנֶ֑ךָ
of thy sheep
H6629
צֹאנֶ֑ךָ
of thy sheep
Strong's:
H6629
Word #:
18 of 21
a collective name for a flock (of sheep or goats); also figuratively (of men)
עַ֥ד
H5704
עַ֥ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
19 of 21
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 28:33The 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:Isaiah 62:8The LORD hath sworn by his right hand, and by the arm of his strength, Surely I will no more give thy corn to be meat for thine enemies; and the sons of the stranger shall not drink thy wine, for the which thou hast laboured:
Historical Context
2 Kings 17-18 describes Assyria's systematic plundering of Israel. The Babylonians burned grain stores (Jeremiah 52:12-13), and Rome confiscated Jewish lands, redistributing them to Roman veterans. Archaeological excavations confirm widespread agricultural destruction during these periods.
Questions for Reflection
- How does material prosperity become a test of our faithfulness to God?
- What is the relationship between covenant obedience and economic blessing?
- In what ways does this passage warn against putting trust in earthly security rather than in God?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land—the language of devouring (אָכַל, ʾāḵal) is intentionally agricultural, showing how completely the invader would strip the land. The specific mention of corn, wine, oil (דָּגָן תִּירוֹשׁ וְיִצְהָר, dāḡān tîrôš wǝyiṣhār) and kine and sheep lists the covenant blessings of verse 4 now being confiscated.
This economic devastation meant total dependence on foreign powers. What God gave would be taken. The phrase until thou be destroyed appears twice, emphasizing thorough desolation. Historically, Assyria deported populations after stripping their lands, Babylon burned fields, and Rome salted the earth around Jerusalem symbolically cursing its fertility.