Deuteronomy 28:63
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.
Original Language Analysis
וְ֠הָיָה
H1961
וְ֠הָיָה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 25
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר
H834
כַּֽאֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָה֙
And it shall come to pass that as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
And it shall come to pass that as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
4 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עֲלֵיכֶ֗ם
H5921
עֲלֵיכֶ֗ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
5 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְהֵיטִ֣יב
over you to do you good
H3190
לְהֵיטִ֣יב
over you to do you good
Strong's:
H3190
Word #:
6 of 25
to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)
אֶתְכֶם֮
H853
אֶתְכֶם֮
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
7 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֶתְכֶם֒
H853
אֶתְכֶם֒
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כֵּ֣ן
H3651
כֵּ֣ן
Strong's:
H3651
Word #:
10 of 25
properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner
יְהוָה֙
And it shall come to pass that as the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
And it shall come to pass that as the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
12 of 25
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם
H5921
עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
13 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
לְהַֽאֲבִ֥יד
over you to destroy
H6
לְהַֽאֲבִ֥יד
over you to destroy
Strong's:
H6
Word #:
14 of 25
properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֖ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
אֶתְכֶ֑ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
17 of 25
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
מֵעַ֣ל
H5921
מֵעַ֣ל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
19 of 25
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
אֲשֶׁר
H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
21 of 25
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
בָא
whither thou goest
H935
בָא
whither thou goest
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
23 of 25
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
Cross References
Proverbs 1:26I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh;Jeremiah 32:41Yea, I will rejoice over them to do them good, and I will plant them in this land assuredly with my whole heart and with my whole soul.Isaiah 1:24Therefore saith the Lord, the LORD of hosts, the mighty One of Israel, Ah, I will ease me of mine adversaries, and avenge me of mine enemies:Deuteronomy 30:9And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers:Ezekiel 5:13Thus shall mine anger be accomplished, and I will cause my fury to rest upon them, and I will be comforted: and they shall know that I the LORD have spoken it in my zeal, when I have accomplished my fury in them.Zephaniah 3:17The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing.
Historical Context
God's 'rejoicing' in judgment is attested elsewhere (Proverbs 1:26, Lamentations 2:17, Ezekiel 5:13). This doesn't mean sadistic pleasure but satisfaction that justice is done. The 'plucking' from the land happened repeatedly, with Jews becoming the world's archetypal displaced people.
Questions for Reflection
- How can a loving God 'rejoice' in judgment without contradicting His character?
- What does this passage teach about God's zeal for His own glory and righteousness?
- How does Christ's experience of God's wrath satisfy divine justice and end God's 'rejoicing' in our destruction?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good—the Hebrew śāśû śîś YHWH ʿălêḵem lǝhêṭîḇ (שָׂשׂ יְהוָה עֲלֵיכֶם לְהֵיטִיב, 'the LORD rejoiced rejoicing over you to do good') uses emphatic repetition showing God's enthusiastic delight in blessing. But so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you (כֵּן יָשִׂישׂ יְהוָה עֲלֵיכֶם לְהַאֲבִיד, kēn yāśîś YHWH ʿălêḵem lǝhaʾăḇîḏ)—the same verb 'rejoice' is shockingly applied to judgment.
This anthropomorphic language strains human understanding: does God literally rejoice in destruction? The answer lies in God's rejoicing in righteousness—whether blessing obedience or judging rebellion, He delights in His own holiness displayed. The phrase and ye shall be plucked from off the land (וְנִסַּחְתֶּם, wǝnissaḥtem, 'and you shall be torn up') uses agricultural language—Israel planted will be uprooted. This happened in 722 BC, 586 BC, and AD 70/135.