King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 28:21 Mean?

Deuteronomy 28:21 in the King James Version says “The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest t...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it.”

Deuteronomy 28:21 · KJV

Context

19

Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

20

The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me. for: Heb. which thou wouldest do

21

The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land, whither thou goest to possess it.

22

The LORD shall smite thee with a consumption, and with a fever, and with an inflammation, and with an extreme burning, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish. sword: or, drought

23

And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron.

Read Deuteronomy 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The LORD shall make the pestilence cleave unto thee, until he have consumed thee from off the land—The Hebrew yadvek Yahweh bekha et-hadaver (יַדְבֵּק יְהוָה בְּךָ אֶת־הַדָּבֶר, the LORD will cause pestilence to cling to you) uses the verb davak (cling/cleave), the same word describing covenant loyalty (Deuteronomy 10:20; 11:22; 13:4) and marital union (Genesis 2:24). Ironically, what should 'cling' to Israel is Yahweh Himself through covenant faithfulness; instead, dever (pestilence/plague) clings relentlessly. The term dever often represents epidemic disease, appearing frequently in judgment contexts (Exodus 9:3; Jeremiah 14:12; Ezekiel 14:19).

The phrase ad kaloto otkha me'al ha'adamah (עַד כַּלֹּתוֹ אֹֽתְךָ מֵעַל הָאֲדָמָה, until it consumes you from upon the land) indicates total removal from covenant inheritance. The land—central to Abrahamic promises—becomes a place of death rather than life. This reverses the Exodus deliverance where God brought Israel out of Egypt into Canaan; now plague removes them from the Promised Land. The irony is profound: the land promised for inheritance becomes impossible to inhabit under covenant curse. Only obedience makes land possession sustainable.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Pestilence repeatedly struck Israel during periods of covenant violation: the plague after David's census killed 70,000 (2 Samuel 24:15); plagues accompanied Assyrian and Babylonian invasions (Jeremiah 21:6-9; 27:8, 13; Ezekiel 5:12). Ancient Near Eastern sieges often brought epidemic disease due to crowding, starvation, and poor sanitation—conditions described later in Deuteronomy 28. The clinging, persistent nature of plague meant it didn't strike once and leave, but remained endemic, progressively weakening the population until territorial possession became impossible. Archaeological evidence shows population decline in 8th-6th century BC Israel/Judah, consistent with plague, warfare, and eventual exile.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the ironic use of 'cling' (davak)—meant for covenant loyalty—highlight the tragedy of pestilence replacing God's presence?
  2. What does it mean that the Promised Land becomes uninhabitable under covenant curse—can we possess God's promises while violating His covenant?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
יַדְבֵּ֧ק1 of 15

“cleave”

H1692

properly, to impinge, i.e., cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit

יְהוָ֛ה2 of 15

“The LORD”

H3068

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

בְּךָ֖3 of 15
H0
אֶת4 of 15
H853

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

הַדָּ֑בֶר5 of 15

“shall make the pestilence”

H1698

a pestilence

עַ֚ד6 of 15
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

כַּלֹּת֣וֹ7 of 15

“unto thee until he have consumed”

H3615

to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitive (to complete, prepare, consume)

אֹֽתְךָ֔8 of 15
H853

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

מֵעַל֙9 of 15
H5921

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

הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה10 of 15

“thee from off the land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

אֲשֶׁר11 of 15
H834

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

אַתָּ֥ה12 of 15
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בָא13 of 15

“whither thou goest”

H935

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

שָׁ֖מָּה14 of 15
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃15 of 15

“to possess”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

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 28:21 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 28:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 26:25Jeremiah 24:10Jeremiah 16:4Numbers 14:12Jeremiah 15:22 Samuel 24:15

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

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