King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 28:50 Mean?

Deuteronomy 28:50 in the King James Version says “A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young: of fierce: H...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young: of fierce: Heb. strong of face”

Deuteronomy 28:50 · KJV

Context

48

Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.

49

The LORD shall bring a nation against thee from far, from the end of the earth, as swift as the eagle flieth; a nation whose tongue thou shalt not understand; understand: Heb. hear

50

A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young: of fierce: Heb. strong of face

51

And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee.

52

And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.

Read Deuteronomy 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
A nation of fierce countenance—Hebrew ʿaz pānîm (עַז פָּנִים) means literally 'strong of face,' conveying hardness and ruthlessness. The phrase shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young describes total war without the ancient Near Eastern customs of mercy to non-combatants. Assyrian and Babylonian inscriptions boasted of such brutality, and Rome showed no mercy during the Jewish revolts.

This verse anticipates systematic genocide. The aged, who commanded respect in Israelite culture, would be slaughtered. Children, normally spared in ancient warfare, would be killed. Josephus's Wars of the Jews records Roman soldiers throwing Jewish children from Jerusalem's walls. The 'fierce countenance' became the emotionless efficiency of imperial conquest.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Assyrian reliefs depict exactly this brutality—elderly and children impaled or enslaved without distinction. During the Babylonian siege (588-586 BC), Lamentations 5:12-13 confirms the treatment of elders and youth. The Romans continued this pattern, and according to Josephus, over 1.1 million Jews perished in the AD 70 siege.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does this passage reveal about God's justice when covenant breaking reaches full measure?
  2. How should the certainty of divine judgment inform our view of sin's trajectory?
  3. In what ways does Christ's substitutionary death absorb the curse that we deserved?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 11 words
גּ֖וֹי1 of 11

“A nation”

H1471

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

עַ֣ז2 of 11

“of fierce”

H5794

strong, vehement, harsh

פָנִים֙3 of 11

“countenance”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

אֲשֶׁ֨ר4 of 11
H834

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

לֹֽא5 of 11
H3808

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

יִשָּׂ֤א6 of 11

“which shall not regard”

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

פָנִים֙7 of 11

“countenance”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

לְזָקֵ֔ן8 of 11

“of the old”

H2205

old

וְנַ֖עַר9 of 11

“to the young”

H5288

(concretely) a boy (as active), from the age of infancy to adolescence; by implication, a servant; also (by interch. of sex), a girl (of similar latit

לֹ֥א10 of 11
H3808

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

יָחֹֽן׃11 of 11

“nor shew favour”

H2603

properly, to bend or stoop in kindness to an inferior; to favor, bestow; causatively to implore (i.e., move to favor by petition)

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 28:50 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 28:50 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Isaiah 47:62 Chronicles 36:17Ecclesiastes 8:1Luke 19:44Daniel 8:23Daniel 7:7

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