Deuteronomy 28:65
And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind:
Original Language Analysis
וּבַגּוֹיִ֤ם
nations
H1471
וּבַגּוֹיִ֤ם
nations
Strong's:
H1471
Word #:
1 of 19
a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts
לֹ֣א
H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
3 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַרְגִּ֔יעַ
shalt thou find no ease
H7280
תַרְגִּ֔יעַ
shalt thou find no ease
Strong's:
H7280
Word #:
4 of 19
properly, to toss violently and suddenly (the sea with waves, the skin with boils); figuratively (in a favorable manner) to settle, i.e., quiet; speci
וְלֹֽא
H3808
וְלֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
5 of 19
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יִהְיֶ֥ה
H1961
יִהְיֶ֥ה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
6 of 19
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
מָנ֖וֹחַ
have rest
H4494
מָנ֖וֹחַ
have rest
Strong's:
H4494
Word #:
7 of 19
quiet, i.e., (concretely) a settled spot, or (figuratively) a home
לְכַף
neither shall the sole
H3709
לְכַף
neither shall the sole
Strong's:
H3709
Word #:
8 of 19
the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-
רַגְלֶ֑ךָ
of thy foot
H7272
רַגְלֶ֑ךָ
of thy foot
Strong's:
H7272
Word #:
9 of 19
a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda
וְנָתַן֩
shall give
H5414
וְנָתַן֩
shall give
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
10 of 19
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָ֨ה
but the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֨ה
but the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
11 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
שָׁם֙
H8033
לֵ֣ב
heart
H3820
לֵ֣ב
heart
Strong's:
H3820
Word #:
14 of 19
the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything
Cross References
Leviticus 26:36And upon them that are left alive of you I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies; and the sound of a shaken leaf shall chase them; and they shall flee, as fleeing from a sword; and they shall fall when none pursueth.Romans 11:10Let their eyes be darkened, that they may not see, and bow down their back alway.Genesis 8:9But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.Amos 9:4And though they go into captivity before their enemies, thence will I command the sword, and it shall slay them: and I will set mine eyes upon them for evil, and not for good.Leviticus 26:16I also will do this unto you; I will even appoint over you terror, consumption, and the burning ague, that shall consume the eyes, and cause sorrow of heart: and ye shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it.
Historical Context
From the Spanish Inquisition to Russian pogroms to Nazi persecution, Jewish exile was marked by chronic insecurity. The Wandering Jew became a medieval trope reflecting this reality. Even in modern Israel, security remains tenuous. Deuteronomy 28:65 became a lens through which Jews understood their suffering.
Questions for Reflection
- How does lack of 'rest' symbolize separation from God, the true rest-giver?
- What does this passage teach about the psychological cost of covenant unfaithfulness?
- How does Christ's promise 'Come to Me... and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28) reverse this curse?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest—the Hebrew phrase lōʾ ṯarḡîaʿ (לֹא תַרְגִּיעַ, 'you shall not find rest') and wǝlōʾ-yihyeh mānôaḥ lǝḵap-raḡlǝḵā (וְלֹא־יִהְיֶה מָנוֹחַ לְכַף־רַגְלֶךָ, 'no resting place for the sole of your foot') recall Noah's dove finding no rest (Genesis 8:9). But the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind—three conditions describing chronic anxiety: lēḇāḇ raggāz (לֵבָב רַגָּז, trembling heart/palpitations), killayyôn ʿênayim (כִּלְיוֹן עֵינַיִם, failing eyes/despair), wǝḏaʾăḇôn nāpeš (וְדַאֲבוֹן נָפֶשׁ, sorrow of soul).
This predicts not just physical exile but psychological torment. Jewish history confirms this—perpetual insecurity, pogroms, expulsions, the Holocaust. The 'trembling heart' describes constant fear of persecution. 'Failing of eyes' means hope deferred and despair. 'Sorrow of mind' is existential anguish. The absence of rest reverses God's Sabbath gift—exiled Israel finds no shalom.