King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 28:30 Mean?

Deuteronomy 28:30 in the King James Version says “Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell there...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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”

Deuteronomy 28:30 · KJV

Context

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

32

Thy sons and thy daughters shall be given unto another people, and thine eyes shall look, and fail with longing for them all the day long: and there shall be no might in thine hand.

Read Deuteronomy 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her—the Hebrew arash (אָרַשׂ, betroth) indicates formal engagement, making this violation especially heinous: covenant-breakers would lose their betrothed to enemy rapists. Thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein fulfills the curse of Amos 5:11 and Micah 6:15—labor without enjoyment of its fruit.

Thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes inverts the blessing of verse 8. The triple repetition (wife, house, vineyard) emphasizes complete futility in life's fundamental endeavors: family, security, sustenance. This is measure-for-measure justice: Israel enjoyed Canaan's vineyards they didn't plant (Deuteronomy 6:10-11); now others would enjoy theirs.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Written circa 1406 BC, this curse found literal fulfillment during the Babylonian conquest (586 BC) when Nebuchadnezzar's armies raped Israelite women (Lamentations 5:11), destroyed houses (2 Kings 25:9), and foreigners consumed Israel's agricultural produce while Jews went into exile.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does covenant judgment reverse the conquest blessings Israel initially received in Canaan?
  2. What principle of divine justice appears in experiencing the same treatment Israel inflicted on Canaan?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 14 words
אִשָּׁ֣ה1 of 14

“a wife”

H802

a woman

תְאָרֵ֗שׂ2 of 14

“Thou shalt betroth”

H781

to promise to marry

וְאִ֤ישׁ3 of 14

“man”

H376

a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

אַחֵר֙4 of 14

“and another”

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

יִשְׁגָּלֶנָּה5 of 14
H7693

to copulate with

בַּ֥יִת6 of 14

“an house”

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

תִּבְנֶ֖ה7 of 14

“with her thou shalt build”

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

וְלֹֽא8 of 14
H3808

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

תֵשֵׁ֣ב9 of 14

“and thou shalt not dwell”

H3427

properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to dwell, to remain; causatively, to settle, to marry

בּ֑וֹ10 of 14
H0
כֶּ֥רֶם11 of 14

“a vineyard”

H3754

a garden or vineyard

תִּטַּ֖ע12 of 14

“therein thou shalt plant”

H5193

properly, to strike in, i.e., fix; specifically, to plant (literally or figuratively)

וְלֹ֥א13 of 14
H3808

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

תְחַלְּלֶֽנּוּ׃14 of 14

“and shalt not gather the grapes”

H2490

properly, to bore, i.e., (by implication) to wound, to dissolve; figuratively, to profane (a person, place or thing), to break (one's word), to begin

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 28:30 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 28:30 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Amos 5:11Jeremiah 8:10Jeremiah 12:13Job 31:10Lamentations 5:2Isaiah 5:9-10

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