Deuteronomy 28:62

Authorized King James Version

And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְנִשְׁאַרְתֶּם֙
H7604
And ye shall be left
properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant
#2
בִּמְתֵ֣י
H4962
in number
properly, an adult (as of full length); by implication, a man (only in the plural)
#3
מְעָ֔ט
H4592
few
a little or few (often adverbial or comparative)
#4
תַּ֚חַת
H8478
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
#5
אֲשֶׁ֣ר
H834
whereas
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#6
הֱיִיתֶ֔ם
H1961
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#7
כְּכֽוֹכְבֵ֥י
H3556
ye were as the stars
a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince
#8
הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם
H8064
of heaven
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
#9
לָרֹ֑ב
H7230
for multitude
abundance (in any respect)
#10
כִּי
H3588
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
#11
לֹ֣א
H3808
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
#12
שָׁמַ֔עְתָּ
H8085
because thou wouldest not obey
to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)
#13
בְּק֖וֹל
H6963
the voice
a voice or sound
#14
יְהוָ֥ה
H3068
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#15
אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃
H430
thy God
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

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

The historical context of the biblical period relevant to this book's composition provides crucial background for understanding this verse. The historical and cultural milieu of the biblical world informed the author's theological expression and the audience's understanding. The the cultural context of the biblical world would have shaped how the original audience understood divine sovereignty. Archaeological and historical evidence reveals Archaeological discoveries continue to illuminate the historical context of biblical texts.

Questions for Reflection

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