King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 28:55 Mean?

Deuteronomy 28:55 in the King James Version says “So that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he shall eat: because he hath nothing left him... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

So that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he shall eat: because he hath nothing left him in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee in all thy gates.

Deuteronomy 28:55 · KJV


Context

53

And thou shalt eat the fruit of thine own body, the flesh of thy sons and of thy daughters, which the LORD thy God hath given thee, in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee: body: Heb. belly

54

So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave:

55

So that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he shall eat: because he hath nothing left him in the siege, and in the straitness, wherewith thine enemies shall distress thee in all thy gates.

56

The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter,

57

And toward her young one that cometh out from between her feet, and toward her children which she shall bear: for she shall eat them for want of all things secretly in the siege and straitness, wherewith thine enemy shall distress thee in thy gates. young one: Heb. afterbirth


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
So that he will not give to any of them of the flesh of his children whom he shall eat—the repetition hammers home the horror: a man eating his own children and refusing to share. The phrase mibbǝśar bānāyw (מִבְּשַׂר בָּנָיו, 'from the flesh of his sons') is grammatically precise—Moses uses no euphemism. Because he hath nothing left him in the siege explains but doesn't excuse: starvation has made him subhuman.

This continues verse 54's description. The refined man becomes worse than an animal—animals feed their young; this man devours his. The threefold repetition ('his brother... wife... remnant of children') shows the complete breakdown of covenant, marriage, and family—all the fundamental structures of society collapse. Sin's ultimate end is self-cannibalization.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This verse didn't need multiple historical fulfillments—the fulfillments in 2 Kings 6, Lamentations 4, and Josephus's accounts are sufficient to demonstrate its prophetic accuracy. The Dead Sea Scrolls and Josephus confirm that first-century Jews knew these curses and feared their fulfillment under Rome.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does sin ultimately consume everything it touches, including its own adherents?
  2. What does this passage teach about the logical endpoint of covenantal unfaithfulness?
  3. In what ways does Christ satisfy our deepest hungers so we don't turn to destructive alternatives?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
מִתֵּ֣ת׀1 of 19

So that he will not give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לְאַחַ֣ד2 of 19

to any

H259

properly, united, i.e., one; or (as an ordinal) first

מֵהֶ֗ם3 of 19
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

מִבְּשַׂ֤ר4 of 19

of them of the flesh

H1320

flesh (from its freshness); by extension, body, person; also (by euphemistically) the pudenda of a man

בָּנָיו֙5 of 19

of his children

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר6 of 19
H834

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

יֹאכֵ֔ל7 of 19

whom he shall eat

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

מִבְּלִ֥י8 of 19
H1097

properly, failure, i.e., nothing or destruction; usually (with preposition) without, not yet, because not, as long as, etc

הִשְׁאִֽיר9 of 19

because he hath nothing left

H7604

properly, to swell up, i.e., be (causatively, make) redundant

ל֖וֹ10 of 19
H0
כֹּ֑ל11 of 19
H3605

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

בְּמָצוֹר֙12 of 19

him in the siege

H4692

something hemming in, i.e., (objectively) a mound (of besiegers), (abstractly) a siege, (figuratively) distress; or (subjectively) a fastness

וּבְמָצ֔וֹק13 of 19

and in the straitness

H4689

a narrow place, i.e., (abstractly and figuratively) confinement or disability

אֲשֶׁ֨ר14 of 19
H834

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

יָצִ֥יק15 of 19

shall distress

H6693

to compress, i.e., (figuratively) oppress, distress

לְךָ֛16 of 19
H0
אֹֽיִבְךָ֖17 of 19

wherewith thine enemies

H341

hating; an adversary

בְּכָל18 of 19
H3605

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

שְׁעָרֶֽיךָ׃19 of 19

thee in all thy gates

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate


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 28:55 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 28:55 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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