King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 28:2 Mean?

Deuteronomy 28:2 in the King James Version says “And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.”

Deuteronomy 28:2 · KJV

Context

1

And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

2

And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God.

3

Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field.

4

Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

Read Deuteronomy 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And all these blessings shall come on thee, and overtake thee, if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God. The imagery of blessings coming on thee and overtaking thee pictures abundance pursuing and catching the obedient person. Blessings are not merely received passively but actively pursue those who walk in covenant faithfulness.

This reverses the typical human pursuit of blessing. Rather than anxiously striving after prosperity and success, the obedient find that blessing pursues them. This demonstrates that true flourishing flows from relationship with God, not self-effort.

The repetition if thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD reinforces the condition. These blessings are covenant promises, not universal principles - they apply specifically to those in faithful relationship with God.

Jesus teaches similar principle - Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you (Matthew 6:33). Prioritizing God results in provision of needs.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's early history under Joshua and the faithful judges demonstrated this principle - when they obeyed God, blessing overtook them through military victories, agricultural abundance, and peace with neighbors.

The image would resonate in agricultural society where harvest abundance came as gift from God's blessing on faithful labor.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does blessing overtaking the obedient teach about pursuing God versus pursuing blessing?
  2. How does covenant faithfulness result in abundance pursuing the faithful?
  3. Why are these conditional covenant blessings rather than universal prosperity principles?
  4. How does Jesus' teaching about seeking first the kingdom parallel this principle?
  5. What is the difference between anxiously striving for success and finding blessing through obedience?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
וּבָ֧אוּ1 of 11

“shall come”

H935

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

עָלֶ֛יךָ2 of 11
H5921

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

כָּל3 of 11
H3605

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

הַבְּרָכ֥וֹת4 of 11

“And all these blessings”

H1293

benediction; by implication prosperity

הָאֵ֖לֶּה5 of 11
H428

these or those

וְהִשִּׂיגֻ֑ךָ6 of 11

“on thee and overtake”

H5381

to reach (literally or figuratively)

כִּ֣י7 of 11
H3588

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

תִשְׁמַ֔ע8 of 11

“thee if thou shalt hearken”

H8085

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

בְּק֖וֹל9 of 11

“unto the voice”

H6963

a voice or sound

יְהוָ֥ה10 of 11

“of the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶֽיךָ׃11 of 11

“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

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 28:2 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 28:2 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Zechariah 1:6Deuteronomy 28:151 Timothy 4:8Deuteronomy 28:45

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