King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 28:29 Mean?

Deuteronomy 28:29 in the King James Version says “And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shal... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee.

Deuteronomy 28:29 · KJV


Context

27

The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods , and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed.

28

The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart:

29

And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness, and thou shalt not prosper in thy ways: and thou shalt be only oppressed and spoiled evermore, and no man shall save thee.

30

Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof. gather: Heb. profane, or, use it as common meat

31

Thine ox shall be slain before thine eyes, and thou shalt not eat thereof: thine ass shall be violently taken away from before thy face, and shall not be restored to thee: thy sheep shall be given unto thine enemies, and thou shalt have none to rescue them. shall not: Heb. shall not return to thee


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And thou shalt grope at noonday, as the blind gropeth in darkness. The Hebrew meshashesh (מְשַׁשֵּׁשׁ, grope/fumble) depicts helpless searching without direction. At noonday intensifies the irony—even with full sunlight, the covenant-breaker cannot find his way, indicating spiritual blindness more devastating than physical sight loss.

Thou shalt not prosper in thy ways (lo tatzliach, לֹא תַצְלִיחַ) means perpetual failure despite effort—divine removal of blessing ensures futility. Oppressed and spoiled evermore uses ashaq (עָשַׁק, exploited/defrauded) and gazal (גָּזַל, robbed), indicating systemic injustice with no man shall save thee—no human deliverer can rescue from divine judgment. Isaiah 59:9-10 laments this exact condition during Israel's apostasy.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Moses delivered this warning circa 1406 BC. The book of Judges repeatedly demonstrates this cycle—Israel's apostasy led to oppression by surrounding nations with no deliverer until they repented and God raised up judges. The Babylonian exile (586 BC) fulfilled this comprehensively when Israel groped in spiritual darkness despite possessing Torah.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to grope in darkness at noonday, and how does spiritual blindness exceed physical blindness?
  2. Why does divine judgment remove prosperity despite human effort and ingenuity?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וְהָיִ֜יתָ1 of 19
H1961

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

יְמַשֵּׁ֤שׁ2 of 19

And thou shalt grope

H4959

to feel of; by implication, to grope

בַּֽצָּהֳרַ֗יִם3 of 19

at noonday

H6672

a light (i.e., window); dual double light, i.e., noon

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֨ר4 of 19
H834

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

יְמַשֵּׁ֤שׁ5 of 19

And thou shalt grope

H4959

to feel of; by implication, to grope

הַֽעִוֵּר֙6 of 19

as the blind

H5787

blind (literally or figuratively)

בָּֽאֲפֵלָ֔ה7 of 19

in darkness

H653

duskiness, figuratively, misfortune; concrete, concealment

וְלֹ֥א8 of 19
H3808

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

תַצְלִ֖יחַ9 of 19

and thou shalt not prosper

H6743

to push forward, in various senses (literal or figurative, transitive or intransitive)

אֶת10 of 19
H853

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

דְּרָכֶ֑יךָ11 of 19

in thy ways

H1870

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

וְהָיִ֜יתָ12 of 19
H1961

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

אַ֣ךְ13 of 19
H389

a particle of affirmation, surely; hence (by limitation) only

עָשׁ֧וּק14 of 19

and thou shalt be only oppressed

H6231

to press upon, i.e., oppress, defraud, violate, overflow

וְגָז֛וּל15 of 19

and spoiled

H1497

to pluck off; specifically to flay, strip or rob

כָּל16 of 19
H3605

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

הַיָּמִ֖ים17 of 19

evermore

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

וְאֵ֥ין18 of 19
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

מוֹשִֽׁיעַ׃19 of 19

and no man shall save

H3467

properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor


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 28:29 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 28:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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