King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 28:15 Mean?

Deuteronomy 28:15 in the King James Version says “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 command...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Deuteronomy 28:15 · KJV

Context

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:

16

Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field.

17

Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store.

Read Deuteronomy 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
This verse introduces Deuteronomy's curses section, forming a dark parallel to verse 1's blessings. The Hebrew construction mirrors verse 1: vehayah im-lo tishma (וְהָיָה אִם־לֹא תִשְׁמַע, 'but it shall be if you do not listen'). The negative particle lo (לֹא) makes the condition opposite—disobedience rather than obedience. The comprehensive scope remains: la'asot et-kol-mitsvotav vechuqqotav (לַעֲשׂוֹת אֶת־כָּל־מִצְו‌ֹתָיו וְחֻקֹּתָיו, 'to do all His commandments and statutes')—covenant violation affects the entire relationship, not just isolated infractions.

The result is equally comprehensive: uva'u alekha kol-ha'alot ha'eleh vehisiguykha (וּבָאוּ עָלֶיךָ כָּל־הָאָלוֹת הָאֵלֶּה וְהִשִּׂיגוּךָ, 'all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you'). The verbs suggest relentless pursuit—curses don't merely happen but actively pursue covenant violators. The curse catalogue that follows (28:16-68) details agricultural failure, military defeat, disease, exile, and ultimate dispersion among nations—reversing every blessing promised in verses 3-13. Theologically, this demonstrates that covenant relationship has real consequences; God's justice is as certain as His mercy. The curses aren't vindictive but remedial, designed to drive Israel back to covenant faithfulness.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Moses warned the wilderness generation of covenant curses they would face in Canaan if they abandoned Yahweh for Canaanite gods. This wasn't theoretical—Israel's subsequent history tragically validated every warning. During the judges period, repeated apostasy brought foreign oppression (Judges 2:11-15). The divided monarchy experienced progressive deterioration—the Northern Kingdom fell to Assyria (722 BC) with survivors exiled and scattered. Judah persisted longer but ultimately fell to Babylon (586 BC), with Jerusalem destroyed, the temple burned, and the population exiled.

The curse specifics proved horrifyingly accurate: agricultural devastation (v. 38-40), military defeat (v. 25), disease (v. 27-28), siege and cannibalism (v. 52-57), and exile (v. 64-68). Josephus recorded that during Rome's siege of Jerusalem (AD 70), conditions matched Deuteronomy's warnings exactly—starvation, disease, family members betraying each other, even cannibalism. The curses weren't arbitrary divine cruelty but logical consequences of abandoning the covenant relationship that sustained Israel's national existence. Yet even in exile, prophets proclaimed restoration hope (Jeremiah 29:10-14; Ezekiel 36-37), demonstrating that God's redemptive purposes outlast His judgments.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the certainty of covenant curses demonstrate God's holiness and justice alongside His love?
  2. What does it mean that curses 'overtake' covenant violators—can we escape consequences of persistent disobedience?
  3. How should we understand Old Testament covenant curses in light of Christ bearing the curse for us (Galatians 3:13)?
  4. In what ways might God use difficult circumstances as discipline to restore us to covenant faithfulness?
  5. How does the historical fulfillment of these curses strengthen confidence in God's other promises and warnings?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 23 words
וְהָיָ֗ה1 of 23
H1961

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

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

תִשְׁמַע֙4 of 23

“But it shall come to pass if thou wilt not hearken”

H8085

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

בְּקוֹל֙5 of 23

“unto the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

יְהוָ֣ה6 of 23

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ7 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

לִשְׁמֹ֤ר8 of 23

“to observe”

H8104

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

לַֽעֲשׂוֹת֙9 of 23

“to do”

H6213

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

אֶת10 of 23
H853

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

כָּל11 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

מִצְוֹתָ֣יו12 of 23

“all his commandments”

H4687

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

וְחֻקֹּתָ֔יו13 of 23

“and his statutes”

H2708

a statute

אֲשֶׁ֛ר14 of 23
H834

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

אָֽנֹכִ֥י15 of 23
H595

i

מְצַוְּךָ֖16 of 23

“which I command”

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

הַיּ֑וֹם17 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

וּבָ֧אוּ18 of 23

“shall come”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

עָלֶ֛יךָ19 of 23
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כָּל20 of 23
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַקְּלָל֥וֹת21 of 23

“that all these curses”

H7045

vilification

הָאֵ֖לֶּה22 of 23
H428

these or those

וְהִשִּׂיגֽוּךָ׃23 of 23

“upon thee and overtake”

H5381

to reach (literally or figuratively)

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 28:15 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 28:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Malachi 2:2Deuteronomy 28:2Lamentations 2:17Leviticus 26:14-46Romans 2:8-9Deuteronomy 29:20

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 28 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Deuteronomy 28 with CommentaryAll Deuteronomy ChaptersComplete Deuteronomy QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes