Deuteronomy 28:7
The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.
Original Language Analysis
יִתֵּ֨ן
shall cause
H5414
יִתֵּ֨ן
shall cause
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
1 of 16
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
יְהוָ֤ה
The LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֤ה
The LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
2 of 16
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 16
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַקָּמִ֣ים
that rise up
H6965
הַקָּמִ֣ים
that rise up
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
5 of 16
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
עָלֶ֔יךָ
H5921
עָלֶ֔יךָ
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
6 of 16
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
נִגָּפִ֖ים
against thee to be smitten
H5062
נִגָּפִ֖ים
against thee to be smitten
Strong's:
H5062
Word #:
7 of 16
to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)
לְפָנֶֽיךָ׃
before
H6440
לְפָנֶֽיךָ׃
before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 16
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
דְרָכִ֖ים
way
H1870
דְרָכִ֖ים
way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
9 of 16
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
אֶחָד֙
against thee one
H259
אֶחָד֙
against thee one
Strong's:
H259
Word #:
10 of 16
properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first
יֵֽצְא֣וּ
they shall come out
H3318
יֵֽצְא֣וּ
they shall come out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
11 of 16
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וּבְשִׁבְעָ֥ה
thee seven
H7651
וּבְשִׁבְעָ֥ה
thee seven
Strong's:
H7651
Word #:
13 of 16
seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number
דְרָכִ֖ים
way
H1870
דְרָכִ֖ים
way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
14 of 16
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
Cross References
Psalms 89:23And I will beat down his foes before his face, and plague them that hate him.2 Chronicles 19:4And Jehoshaphat dwelt at Jerusalem: and he went out again through the people from Beer-sheba to mount Ephraim, and brought them back unto the LORD God of their fathers.Joshua 8:22And the other issued out of the city against them; so they were in the midst of Israel, some on this side, and some on that side: and they smote them, so that they let none of them remain or escape.Deuteronomy 28:25The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.Joshua 10:42And all these kings and their land did Joshua take at one time, because the LORD God of Israel fought for Israel.Deuteronomy 32:30How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?
Historical Context
Israel's history bore this out - when faithful to covenant, they defeated superior enemy forces miraculously (Jericho, Midianites, Assyrians). When disobedient, they suffered defeat by weaker opponents.
The covenant blessing-curse pattern operated militarily as well as agriculturally - obedience brought victory, disobedience brought defeat.
Questions for Reflection
- What does visible victory teach about God defending His covenant people?
- How does organized advance dissolving into scattered flight picture complete defeat?
- Why doesn't covenant faithfulness eliminate opposition but ensures victory over it?
- How does Paul apply this principle spiritually to Christian spiritual warfare?
- What does Israel's military history teach about the covenant blessing-curse pattern?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. God promises military victory over enemies - those who rise up against thee will be smitten before thy face. This visible defeat demonstrates God's protection of His covenant people before watching nations.
The imagery of enemies coming one way but fleeing seven ways indicates complete rout and panic. Organized military advance dissolves into chaotic scattered flight. Seven (number of completeness) suggests total defeat and disintegration of enemy forces.
This promise doesn't guarantee absence of conflict but victory in conflict. Enemies will rise up, but God will defeat them. Covenant faithfulness doesn't eliminate opposition but ensures divine help in overcoming it.
Paul applies this spiritually - we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37). Christ's victory over sin, death, and Satan ensures believers' ultimate triumph despite present conflicts.