Deuteronomy 28:59

Authorized King James Version

Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְהִפְלָ֤א
will make
properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful
#2
יְהוָה֙
Then the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#3
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#4
מַכּ֤וֹת
and the plagues
a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence
#5
וְאֵ֖ת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#6
מַכּ֤וֹת
and the plagues
a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence
#7
זַרְעֶ֑ךָ
of thy seed
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
#8
מַכּ֤וֹת
and the plagues
a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence
#9
גְּדֹלֹת֙
even great
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
#10
וְנֶֽאֱמָנִֽים׃
and of long continuance
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen
#11
וָֽחֳלָיִ֥ם
sicknesses
malady, anxiety, calamity
#12
רָעִ֖ים
and sore
bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)
#13
וְנֶֽאֱמָנִֽים׃
and of long continuance
properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen

Analysis

The salvation theme here intersects with the metanarrative of redemption running from Genesis to Revelation. Biblical theology recognizes this as part of a unified storyline from the promise in Genesis 3:15 to its fulfillment in Christ. The phrase emphasizing divine sovereignty contributes to our systematic understanding of Christian doctrine and connects to the broader scriptural witness about God's saving work from the Exodus to the cross.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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