Deuteronomy 28:53
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Deuteronomy 28:53
53 And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the LORD thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee:
Chapter Context
Deuteronomy 28 is a covenant blessing and curse chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of truth, sacrifice, wisdom. Written during the end of the wilderness wandering (c. 1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Moses delivered these speeches as Israel prepared to enter a land filled with different Canaanite city-states.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-68: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it provides essential context for understanding God's covenant relationship with His people. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Deuteronomy and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Deuteronomy 28:53
53 And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the LORD thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee:
Analysis
And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters—this is the most horrifying curse in the entire chapter. The Hebrew phrase pǝrî ḇiṭnǝḵā (פְּרִי בִטְנְךָ, 'fruit of your womb') uses tender language for pregnancy to describe unspeakable horror: cannibalism of one's own children. This prophesied the most extreme degradation possible under siege conditions.
This literally occurred during the Babylonian siege (Lamentations 2:20, 4:10) and again under Rome. Josephus records a woman named Mary eating her own infant during the AD 70 siege—a fulfillment so precise it defies coincidence. The phrase in the siege, and in the straitness (בְּמָצוֹר וּבְמָצוֹק, bǝmāṣôr ûḇǝmāṣôq) means 'in the distress and in the anguish' of military encirclement. Leviticus 26:29 had warned of the same curse.
Historical Context
This happened multiple times in Israel's history: during the Aramean siege of Samaria (2 Kings 6:28-29), the Babylonian siege of Jerusalem (Lamentations 4:10), and the Roman siege (Josephus, Wars 6.3.4). These fulfillments demonstrate that God's word of judgment is as reliable as His word of promise.
Reflection
- How does the horror of this curse reveal the depth of human depravity apart from God's grace?
- What does it mean that God's covenant curses are as certain as His covenant blessings?
- How does the sacrifice of God's own Son reverse the curse that we deserved?
Word Studies
- God: אֱלֹהִים (Elohim) H430 - God (plural of majesty)
Cross-References
- References Lord: Lamentations 2:20
- Parallel theme: Deuteronomy 28:55, 28:57, Leviticus 26:29, Jeremiah 19:9, Lamentations 4:10, Ezekiel 5:10