King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 28:13 Mean?

Deuteronomy 28:13 in the King James Version says “And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

Deuteronomy 28:13 · KJV


Context

11

And the LORD shall make thee plenteous in goods, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers to give thee. in goods: or, for good body: Heb. belly

12

The LORD shall open unto thee his good treasure, the heaven to give the rain unto thy land in his season, and to bless all the work of thine hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.

13

And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do them:

14

And thou shalt not go aside from any of the words which I command thee this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.

15

But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The promise 'the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail' uses imagery of leadership versus subordination. 'Above only, and... not beneath' emphasizes superiority and blessing. This isn't promising arrogant domination but covenantal precedence—Israel was to be God's showcase nation, demonstrating the benefits of knowing and serving the true God. The condition is explicit: 'if that thou hearken unto the commandments... observe and do them.' The promise is certain but not unconditional. Christ, as the ultimate obedient Son, is supremely 'head' (Colossians 1:18; Ephesians 1:22), and believers share His exalted status (Ephesians 2:6).

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's headship was realized during Solomon's reign when surrounding nations sought wisdom and alliance (1 Kings 10:1-13, 23-24). However, Israel more often experienced subjugation: Egyptian slavery, Philistine oppression, Assyrian/Babylonian exile, Persian/Greek/Roman domination. Their disobedience brought the promised reversal—becoming 'tail' rather than 'head.' The prophets longed for Israel's restoration to covenant blessing (Isaiah 60-62). In Christ, the New Israel (the Church) is exalted above spiritual principalities and powers, though not promised temporal political dominance.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should spiritual 'headship' in Christ shape your self-perception and service to others?
  2. What evidence of being 'above only' (spiritual blessing and authority) versus 'beneath' (defeated by sin) appears in your life?
  3. How can you live in the reality of your exalted status in Christ without arrogance or worldly triumphalism?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וּנְתָֽנְךָ֙1 of 23

shall make

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

יְהוָ֣ה2 of 23

And the LORD

H3068

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

לְרֹאשׁ֙3 of 23

thee the head

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

וְלֹ֣א4 of 23
H3808

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

לְזָנָ֔ב5 of 23

and not the tail

H2180

the tail (literally or figuratively)

וְהָיִ֙יתָ֙6 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

רַ֣ק7 of 23
H7535

properly, leanness, i.e., (figuratively) limitation; only adverbial, merely, or conjunctional, although

לְמַ֔עְלָה8 of 23

and thou shalt be above only

H4605

properly,the upper part, used only adverbially with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the top, etc

וְלֹ֥א9 of 23
H3808

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

תִֽהְיֶ֖ה10 of 23
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לְמָ֑טָּה11 of 23

and thou shalt not be beneath

H4295

downward, below or beneath; often adverbially with or without prefixes

כִּֽי12 of 23
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

תִשְׁמַ֞ע13 of 23

if that thou hearken

H8085

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

אֶל14 of 23
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

מִצְוֹ֣ת׀15 of 23

unto the commandments

H4687

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

יְהוָ֣ה16 of 23

And the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֗יךָ17 of 23

thy God

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

אֲשֶׁ֨ר18 of 23
H834

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

אָֽנֹכִ֧י19 of 23
H595

i

מְצַוְּךָ֛20 of 23

which I command

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

הַיּ֖וֹם21 of 23

thee 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

לִשְׁמֹ֥ר22 of 23

to observe

H8104

properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e., guard; generally, to protect, attend to, etc

וְלַֽעֲשֽׂוֹת׃23 of 23

and to do

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application


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 28:13 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 28:13 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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