Deuteronomy 28:56
The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter,
Original Language Analysis
הָֽרַכָּ֨ה
The tender
H7390
הָֽרַכָּ֨ה
The tender
Strong's:
H7390
Word #:
1 of 19
tender (literally or figuratively); by implication, weak
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
4 of 19
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 #:
5 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
נִסְּתָ֤ה
woman among you which would not adventure
H5254
נִסְּתָ֤ה
woman among you which would not adventure
Strong's:
H5254
Word #:
6 of 19
to test; by implication, to attempt
כַף
the sole
H3709
כַף
the sole
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
7 of 19
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
רַגְלָהּ֙
of her foot
H7272
רַגְלָהּ֙
of her foot
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
8 of 19
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָאָ֔רֶץ
upon the ground
H776
הָאָ֔רֶץ
upon the ground
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
11 of 19
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
מֵֽהִתְעַנֵּ֖ג
for delicateness
H6026
מֵֽהִתְעַנֵּ֖ג
for delicateness
Strong's:
H6026
Word #:
12 of 19
to be soft or pliable, i.e., (figuratively) effeminate or luxurious
תֵּרַ֤ע
H7489
תֵּרַ֤ע
Strong's:
H7489
Word #:
14 of 19
properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)
עֵינָהּ֙
her eye
H5869
עֵינָהּ֙
her eye
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
15 of 19
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
בְּאִ֣ישׁ
toward the husband
H376
בְּאִ֣ישׁ
toward the husband
Strong's:
H376
Word #:
16 of 19
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)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 28:54So 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:Isaiah 3:16Moreover the LORD saith, Because the daughters of Zion are haughty, and walk with stretched forth necks and wanton eyes, walking and mincing as they go, and making a tinkling with their feet:
Historical Context
Josephus's account of Mary of Bethezuba (Wars 6.3.4) fulfills this precisely—a wealthy woman who ate her nursing infant during the Roman siege. Her story is so horrifying that it became legendary, demonstrating that these curses were not hyperbole but literal prophecy.
Questions for Reflection
- How does this passage destroy any notion of inherent human goodness apart from God's grace?
- What does the equal treatment of male and female in judgment teach about accountability before God?
- How does the image of a mother devouring her child contrast with God's maternal care (Isaiah 49:15)?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground—the Hebrew haʿănuggāh wǝharakkāh (הָעֲנֻגָּה וְהָרַכָּה) describes an aristocratic lady so refined she never walked barefoot, perhaps carried in a litter. Yet her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter—she too becomes a grudging cannibal.
This verse is the female parallel to verses 54-55, showing that wealth, gender, and privilege offer no protection from sin's degradation. The most pampered woman, symbol of motherly nurture, will violate the deepest maternal instinct. The phrase 'husband of her bosom' (îš ḥêqāh, אִישׁ חֵיקָהּ) emphasizes intimate marital love—now replaced by cannibalistic greed.