King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 28:56 Mean?

Deuteronomy 28:56 in the King James Version says “The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delic...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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,”

Deuteronomy 28:56 · KJV

Context

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

58

If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD;

Read Deuteronomy 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground—the Hebrew haʿănuggāh wǝharakkāh (הָעֲנֻגָּה וְהָרַכָּה) describes an aristocratic lady so refined she never walked barefoot, perhaps carried in a litter. Yet her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter—she too becomes a grudging cannibal.

This verse is the female parallel to verses 54-55, showing that wealth, gender, and privilege offer no protection from sin's degradation. The most pampered woman, symbol of motherly nurture, will violate the deepest maternal instinct. The phrase 'husband of her bosom' (îš ḥêqāh, אִישׁ חֵיקָהּ) emphasizes intimate marital love—now replaced by cannibalistic greed.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Josephus's account of Mary of Bethezuba (Wars 6.3.4) fulfills this precisely—a wealthy woman who ate her nursing infant during the Roman siege. Her story is so horrifying that it became legendary, demonstrating that these curses were not hyperbole but literal prophecy.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does this passage destroy any notion of inherent human goodness apart from God's grace?
  2. What does the equal treatment of male and female in judgment teach about accountability before God?
  3. How does the image of a mother devouring her child contrast with God's maternal care (Isaiah 49:15)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
הָֽרַכָּ֨ה1 of 19

“The tender”

H7390

tender (literally or figuratively); by implication, weak

בְךָ֜2 of 19
H0
וְהָֽעֲנֻגָּ֗ה3 of 19

“and delicate”

H6028

luxurious

אֲשֶׁ֨ר4 of 19
H834

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

לֹֽא5 of 19
H3808

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

נִסְּתָ֤ה6 of 19

“woman among you which would not adventure”

H5254

to test; by implication, to attempt

כַף7 of 19

“the sole”

H3709

the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-

רַגְלָהּ֙8 of 19

“of her foot”

H7272

a foot (as used in walking); by implication, a step; by euphemistically the pudenda

הַצֵּ֣ג9 of 19

“to set”

H3322

to place permanently

עַל10 of 19
H5921

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

הָאָ֔רֶץ11 of 19

“upon the ground”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מֵֽהִתְעַנֵּ֖ג12 of 19

“for delicateness”

H6026

to be soft or pliable, i.e., (figuratively) effeminate or luxurious

וּמֵרֹ֑ךְ13 of 19

“and tenderness”

H7391

softness (figuratively)

תֵּרַ֤ע14 of 19
H7489

properly, to spoil (literally, by breaking to pieces); figuratively, to make (or be) good for nothing, i.e., bad (physically, socially or morally)

עֵינָהּ֙15 of 19

“her eye”

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

בְּאִ֣ישׁ16 of 19

“toward the husband”

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)

חֵיקָ֔הּ17 of 19

“of her bosom”

H2436

the bosom (literally or figuratively)

וּבִבְנָ֖הּ18 of 19

“and toward her son”

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

וּבְבִתָּֽהּ׃19 of 19

“and toward her daughter”

H1323

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

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 28:56 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 28:56 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 28:54Isaiah 3:16Lamentations 4:3-6

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