Deuteronomy 28:63

Authorized King James Version

And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וְ֠הָיָה
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
#2
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#3
יָשִׂ֤ישׂ
rejoiced
to be bright, i.e., cheerful
#4
יְהוָה֙
And it shall come to pass that as the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
עֲלֵיכֶ֗ם
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#6
לְהֵיטִ֣יב
over you to do you good
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
#7
אֶתְכֶם֮
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#8
וּלְהַרְבּ֣וֹת
and to multiply
to increase (in whatever respect)
#9
אֶתְכֶם֒
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
כֵּ֣ן
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
#11
יָשִׂ֤ישׂ
rejoiced
to be bright, i.e., cheerful
#12
יְהוָה֙
And it shall come to pass that as the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#13
עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#14
לְהַֽאֲבִ֥יד
H6
over you to destroy
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
#15
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#16
וּלְהַשְׁמִ֣יד
you and to bring you to nought
to desolate
#17
אֶתְכֶ֑ם
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#18
וְנִסַּחְתֶּם֙
and ye shall be plucked
to tear away
#19
מֵעַ֣ל
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#20
הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה
from off the land
soil (from its general redness)
#21
אֲשֶׁר
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
#22
אַתָּ֥ה
thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you
#23
בָא
whither thou goest
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
#24
שָׁ֖מָּה
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
#25
לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃
to possess
to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

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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