Deuteronomy 28:54
So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave:
Original Language Analysis
הָאִישׁ֙
So that the man
H376
הָאִישׁ֙
So that the man
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
1 of 14
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
הָרַ֣ךְ
that is tender
H7390
הָרַ֣ךְ
that is tender
Strong's:
H7390
Word #:
2 of 14
tender (literally or figuratively); by implication, weak
מְאֹ֑ד
among you and very
H3966
מְאֹ֑ד
among you and very
Strong's:
H3966
Word #:
5 of 14
properly, vehemence, i.e., (with or without preposition) vehemently; by implication, wholly, speedily, etc. (often with other words as an intensive or
תֵּרַ֨ע
H7489
תֵּרַ֨ע
Strong's:
H7489
Word #:
6 of 14
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
עֵינ֤וֹ
his eye
H5869
עֵינ֤וֹ
his eye
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
7 of 14
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
בְאָחִיו֙
toward his brother
H251
בְאָחִיו֙
toward his brother
Strong's:
H251
Word #:
8 of 14
a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance [like h0001])
וּבְיֶ֥תֶר
and toward the remnant
H3499
וּבְיֶ֥תֶר
and toward the remnant
Strong's:
H3499
Word #:
11 of 14
properly, an overhanging, i.e., (by implication) a small rope (as hanging free)
בָּנָ֖יו
of his children
H1121
בָּנָ֖יו
of his children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
12 of 14
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
Cross References
Matthew 20:15Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?Deuteronomy 13:6If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers;Deuteronomy 15:9Beware that there be not a thought in thy wicked heart, saying, The seventh year, the year of release, is at hand; and thine eye be evil against thy poor brother, and thou givest him nought; and he cry unto the LORD against thee, and it be sin unto thee.
Historical Context
During the 900-day Leningrad siege (WW2), similar moral collapse occurred—a modern parallel to ancient sieges. In 2 Kings 6:28-29, two women made a pact to eat their children. Josephus records cases during the Roman siege where families turned on each other for scraps of food.
Questions for Reflection
- How does extreme suffering reveal what is truly in the human heart?
- What does this passage teach about the necessity of divine grace even for 'good' people?
- How should awareness of human depravity drive us to the cross of Christ?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The man that is tender among you, and very delicate—Hebrew rāḵ and ʿānōḡ (רַךְ וְעָנֹג) describe a refined, upper-class man unaccustomed to hardship. His eye shall be evil (תֵּרַע עֵינוֹ, tēraʿ ʿênô) is an idiom meaning 'he will look grudgingly/greedily'—he will refuse to share even human flesh with his brother... the wife of his bosom... his children.
Siege conditions would so degrade humanity that the most refined gentleman would become a selfish cannibal, hoarding his own children's flesh. This describes moral collapse: family bonds dissolve, love dies, and survival instinct overrides all humanity. The phrase because he hath nothing left him shows that starvation reduces even the noble to beasts. This happened repeatedly in Israel's history.