King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 28:41 Mean?

Deuteronomy 28:41 in the King James Version says “Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity. thou shalt not: He...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity. thou shalt not: Heb. they shall not be thine”

Deuteronomy 28:41 · KJV

Context

39

Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them, but shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them.

40

Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit.

41

Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity. thou shalt not: Heb. they shall not be thine

42

All thy trees and fruit of thy land shall the locust consume. consume: or, possess

43

The stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity. The most devastating curse yet—losing children to exile. The Hebrew shebi (captivity) meant forced deportation to foreign lands. Children represented covenant continuity, inheritance, and future hope; their loss meant the covenant promises dying out. Where blessing promised children filling the land (Deuteronomy 28:4, 11), curse brought childlessness through exile.

This precisely describes Babylonian captivity—Daniel, Ezekiel, and thousands deported to Babylon (2 Kings 24:14-16). Parents watched helplessly as children were marched to foreign lands, often never to return. Lamentations 1:5 mourns: "Her children are gone into captivity before the enemy."

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Historical & Cultural Context

Assyrian (722 BC) and Babylonian (586 BC) conquests fulfilled this curse. Nebuchadnezzar specifically took young nobles—"children in whom was no blemish" (Daniel 1:3-4)—to serve Babylon. Parents endured the grief of surviving their children's futures being consumed by foreign empires.

Reflection Questions

  1. Why would losing children to captivity be listed among the most severe covenant curses?
  2. How does this curse reveal God's intention for families to experience covenant blessings together across generations?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 9 words
בָּנִ֥ים1 of 9

“sons”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

וּבָנ֖וֹת2 of 9

“and daughters”

H1323

a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and figuratively)

תּוֹלִ֑יד3 of 9

“Thou shalt beget”

H3205

to bear young; causatively, to beget; medically, to act as midwife; specifically, to show lineage

וְלֹֽא4 of 9
H3808

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

יִהְי֣וּ5 of 9
H1961

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

לָ֔ךְ6 of 9
H0
כִּ֥י7 of 9
H3588

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

יֵֽלְכ֖וּ8 of 9
H1980

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

בַּשֶּֽׁבִי׃9 of 9

“into captivity”

H7628

exiled; captured; as noun, exile (abstractly or concretely and collectively); by extension, booty

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 28:41 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 28:41 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 28:32Lamentations 1:52 Kings 24:14

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