Deuteronomy 28:64
And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone.
Original Language Analysis
וֶהֱפִֽיצְךָ֤
shall scatter
H6327
וֶהֱפִֽיצְךָ֤
shall scatter
Strong's:
H6327
Word #:
1 of 20
to dash in pieces, literally or figuratively (especially to disperse)
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָה֙
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 20
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּכָל
H3605
בְּכָל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
3 of 20
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים
thee among all people
H5971
הָ֣עַמִּ֔ים
thee among all people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
4 of 20
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
וְעַד
H5704
וְעַד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
7 of 20
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
וְעָבַ֨דְתָּ
and there thou shalt serve
H5647
וְעָבַ֨דְתָּ
and there thou shalt serve
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
10 of 20
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
שָּׁ֜ם
H8033
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
gods
H430
אֱלֹהִ֣ים
gods
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
12 of 20
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
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
14 of 20
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 #:
15 of 20
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָדַ֛עְתָּ
have known
H3045
יָדַ֛עְתָּ
have known
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
16 of 20
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
וַֽאֲבֹתֶ֖יךָ
which neither thou nor thy fathers
H1
וַֽאֲבֹתֶ֖יךָ
which neither thou nor thy fathers
Strong's:
H1
Word #:
18 of 20
father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Cross References
Leviticus 26:33And I will scatter you among the heathen, and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate, and your cities waste.Jeremiah 16:13Therefore will I cast you out of this land into a land that ye know not, neither ye nor your fathers; and there shall ye serve other gods day and night; where I will not shew you favour.Nehemiah 1:8Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the nations:Deuteronomy 28:36The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone.Luke 21:24And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.Jeremiah 50:17Israel is a scattered sheep; the lions have driven him away: first the king of Assyria hath devoured him; and last this Nebuchadrezzar king of Babylon hath broken his bones.
Historical Context
The Assyrian and Babylonian exiles scattered the Northern and Southern kingdoms. After AD 70 and especially AD 135, Jews were dispersed globally—to Europe, North Africa, Asia. During the Inquisition and pogroms, Jews were forced to convert or faced death. The modern return to Israel (1948) represents a prophetic reversal of this scattering.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the Jewish diaspora demonstrate both God's judgment and His preservation of a remnant?
- What does it mean that even in judgment, God maintains His covenant people?
- How does the ingathering of Israel in modern times relate to prophetic fulfillment?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other—Hebrew wĕhĕpîṣǝḵā YHWH (וֶהֱפִיצְךָ יְהוָה, 'and the LORD will scatter you') describes the diaspora with prophetic precision. The phrase from the one end of the earth even unto the other is hyperbolic but historically accurate—Jews were scattered from Spain to India, Ethiopia to Russia. And there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone—this predicts forced idolatry or cultural assimilation.
This is one of the clearest prophecies in Scripture—the Jewish diaspora has lasted 2,000+ years. The irony is bitter: Israel worshiped false gods voluntarily in Canaan, so God scattered them where they'd be pressured to worship false gods involuntarily. 'Wood and stone' refers to pagan idols (Deuteronomy 4:28), but also implies lifelessness—the gods of exile offer no help.