Deuteronomy 28:66
And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life:
Original Language Analysis
וְהָי֣וּ
H1961
וְהָי֣וּ
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 11
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
בְּחַיֶּֽיךָ׃
And thy life
H2416
בְּחַיֶּֽיךָ׃
And thy life
Strong's:
H2416
Word #:
2 of 11
alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin
תְּלֻאִ֥ים
shall hang
H8511
תְּלֻאִ֥ים
shall hang
Strong's:
H8511
Word #:
3 of 11
to suspend; figuratively (through hesitation) to be uncertain; by implication (of mental dependence) to habituate
מִנֶּ֑גֶד
in doubt before
H5048
מִנֶּ֑גֶד
in doubt before
Strong's:
H5048
Word #:
5 of 11
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
וּפָֽחַדְתָּ֙
thee and thou shalt fear
H6342
וּפָֽחַדְתָּ֙
thee and thou shalt fear
Strong's:
H6342
Word #:
6 of 11
to be startled (by a sudden alarm); hence, to fear in general
לַ֣יְלָה
and night
H3915
לַ֣יְלָה
and night
Strong's:
H3915
Word #:
7 of 11
properly, a twist (away of the light), i.e., night; figuratively, adversity
וְלֹ֥א
H3808
וְלֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 11
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
During the Holocaust, Jews lived precisely this reality—daily uncertainty about survival, selection for death without warning, life 'hanging by a thread.' Medieval Jews faced similar conditions during pogroms. Even in peacetime exile, antisemitism created perpetual insecurity. This verse became prophetic of the Jewish condition for 2,000 years.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the loss of security reveal our dependence on God for life itself?
- What does this passage teach about the psychological consequences of living under judgment?
- How does Christ's promise of eternal life provide the ultimate 'assurance' that exile destroyed?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee—Hebrew wǝhāyû ḥayyeḵā tǝlûʾîm lǝḵā minneḡeḏ (וְהָיוּ חַיֶּיךָ תְּלֻאִים לְךָ מִנֶּגֶד, 'and your life shall be hanging before you') uses the imagery of something suspended by a thread, precarious. And thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life—the phrase wǝlōʾ ṯaʾămîn bǝḥayyeḵā (וְלֹא תַאֲמִין בְּחַיֶּיךָ, 'and you shall not trust/believe in your life') means constant uncertainty about survival.
This verse captures existential dread: life without security, hope, or assurance. The repetition 'day and night' means unceasing anxiety. No moment is safe. The phrase 'none assurance of thy life' is literally 'no faith in your life'—you can't trust you'll survive the day. This became reality for Jews in diaspora, especially under persecution. Every knock at the door could mean death.