King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 28:36 Mean?

Deuteronomy 28:36 in the King James Version says “The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone.”

Deuteronomy 28:36 · KJV

Context

34

So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.

35

The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head.

36

The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known; and there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone.

37

And thou shalt become an astonishment, a proverb, and a byword, among all nations whither the LORD shall lead thee.

38

Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it.

Read Deuteronomy 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The LORD shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shalt set over thee, unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known. The exile curse reaches its climax—not just military defeat but deportation to goy asher lo-yada'ta (גּוֹי אֲשֶׁר לֹא־יָדַעְתָּ, a nation you have not known). And thy king means the monarchy instituted later (1 Samuel 8) would fail to prevent exile—human kingship cannot protect from divine judgment.

And there shalt thou serve other gods, wood and stone. Ultimate irony: Israel's idolatry in the land would result in forced worship of idols in exile. The phrase etz va-eben (עֵץ וָאֶבֶן, wood and stone) mocks idols' lifeless materiality (Psalm 115:4-8). What they chose voluntarily would become their slavery. Jeremiah 16:13 and Ezekiel 20:32-38 depict this forced idolatry during Babylonian exile when Jewish captives lived among pagan temple worship.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Written circa 1406 BC, this prophecy precisely predicted the Babylonian exile (586 BC) when King Zedekiah was captured, blinded, and taken to Babylon along with Judah's population (2 Kings 25:7-11). In Babylon, Jews were surrounded by idol worship and pressure to conform, fulfilling "serve other gods, wood and stone."

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the exile of the king demonstrate that human monarchy cannot substitute for covenant faithfulness?
  2. What irony exists in being forced to serve the idols one formerly chose to worship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
יוֹלֵ֨ךְ1 of 21
H1980

to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)

יְהוָ֜ה2 of 21

“The LORD”

H3068

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

אֹֽתְךָ֗3 of 21
H853

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

וְאֶֽת4 of 21
H853

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

מַלְכְּךָ֙5 of 21

“thee and thy king”

H4428

a king

אֲשֶׁ֣ר6 of 21
H834

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

תָּקִ֣ים7 of 21

“which thou shalt set”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

עָלֶ֔יךָ8 of 21
H5921

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

אֶל9 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

גּ֕וֹי10 of 21

“over thee unto a nation”

H1471

a foreign nation; hence, a gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts

אֲשֶׁ֥ר11 of 21
H834

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

לֹֽא12 of 21
H3808

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

יָדַ֖עְתָּ13 of 21

“have known”

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אַתָּ֣ה14 of 21
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

וַֽאֲבֹתֶ֑יךָ15 of 21

“which neither thou nor thy fathers”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְעָבַ֥דְתָּ16 of 21

“and there shalt thou serve”

H5647

to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc

שָּׁ֛ם17 of 21
H8033

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

אֱלֹהִ֥ים18 of 21

“gods”

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

אֲחֵרִ֖ים19 of 21

“other”

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

עֵ֥ץ20 of 21

“wood”

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

וָאָֽבֶן׃21 of 21

“and stone”

H68

a stone

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 28:36 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 28:36 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Jeremiah 16:13Deuteronomy 4:282 Kings 25:112 Chronicles 36:202 Chronicles 36:6Deuteronomy 28:64

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