King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 11:28 Mean?

Deuteronomy 11:28 in the King James Version says “And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command yo... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 11 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.

Deuteronomy 11:28 · KJV


Context

26

Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;

27

A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:

28

And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.

29

And it shall come to pass, when the LORD thy God hath brought thee in unto the land whither thou goest to possess it, that thou shalt put the blessing upon mount Gerizim, and the curse upon mount Ebal.

30

Are they not on the other side Jordan, by the way where the sun goeth down, in the land of the Canaanites, which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal, beside the plains of Moreh?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The curse is the alternative: 'a curse, if ye will not obey...but turn aside out of the way...to go after other gods, which ye have not known.' The condition inverts verse 27: disobedience, specifically idolatry, triggers curse. The phrase 'turn aside out of the way' (sur min-haderek, סוּר מִן־הַדֶּרֶךְ) means departing from God's path. The Hebrew derek (דֶּרֶךְ, 'way') represents lifestyle and conduct (see Psalm 1:6). Following 'other gods' constitutes covenant violation deserving curse. The phrase 'which ye have not known' emphasizes these gods' foreign, alien character—Israel had experienced Yahweh's faithfulness; abandoning Him for unknown gods is ultimate folly and ingratitude.

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Historical & Cultural Context

This warning proved prescient. Judges records repeated apostasy: 'they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth' (Judges 2:13). Both kingdoms eventually fell to idolatry: Northern Kingdom's golden calves and Baalism led to Assyrian exile (722 BC); Judah's high places and foreign gods led to Babylonian exile (586 BC). The covenant curses of Deuteronomy 28:15-68 were literally fulfilled in exile horrors. Apostasy's consequences validate God's warning.

Reflection Questions

  1. What modern 'other gods' (money, pleasure, success, ideology) tempt believers away from exclusive devotion to Christ?
  2. How does ingratitude (abandoning the God who saved you for unknown alternatives) characterize apostasy?
  3. What warning signs indicate we're 'turning aside out of the way' before complete apostasy occurs?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְהַקְּלָלָ֗ה1 of 23

And a curse

H7045

vilification

אִם2 of 23
H518

used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if, although; also oh that!, when; hence, as a negative, not

לֹ֤א3 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תִשְׁמְעוּ֙4 of 23

if ye will not obey

H8085

to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.)

אֶל5 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מִצְוֹת֙6 of 23

the commandments

H4687

a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the law)

יְהוָ֣ה7 of 23

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהִ֥ים8 of 23

gods

H430

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

וְסַרְתֶּ֣ם9 of 23

but turn aside

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

מִן10 of 23
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַדֶּ֔רֶךְ11 of 23

out of the way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

אֲשֶׁ֧ר12 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אָֽנֹכִ֛י13 of 23
H595

i

מְצַוֶּ֥ה14 of 23

which I command

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אֶתְכֶ֖ם15 of 23
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַיּ֑וֹם16 of 23

you this day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

לָלֶ֗כֶת17 of 23
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

אַֽחֲרֵ֛י18 of 23

after

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

אֱלֹהִ֥ים19 of 23

gods

H430

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

אֲחֵרִ֖ים20 of 23

other

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

אֲשֶׁ֥ר21 of 23
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

לֹֽא22 of 23
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

יְדַעְתֶּֽם׃23 of 23

which ye have not known

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 11:28 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 11:28 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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