King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 28:59 Mean?

Deuteronomy 28:59 in the King James Version says “Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance,...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance.”

Deuteronomy 28:59 · KJV

Context

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;

59

Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful, and the plagues of thy seed, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses, and of long continuance.

60

Moreover he will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee.

61

Also every sickness, and every plague, which is not written in the book of this law, them will the LORD bring upon thee, until thou be destroyed. bring: Heb. cause to ascend

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then the LORD will make thy plagues wonderful—Hebrew wǝhiplāʾ YHWH (וְהִפְלָא יְהוָה) uses the verb 'to make extraordinary/distinguished.' The word makkôṯ (מַכּוֹת, plagues) recalls Egypt's ten plagues, but these would be great plagues, and of long continuance (חֳלָיִם רָעִים וְנֶאֱמָנִים, ḥŏlāyîm rāʿîm wǝneʾĕmānîm—literally 'evil and faithful/lasting diseases').

The irony is devastating: God's miracles (peleʾ) delivered Israel from Egypt; now His miracles will deliver them to judgment. The plagues will be 'wonderful' in their severity and uniqueness. The phrase 'of long continuance' (lasting/faithful) means chronic, incurable suffering. Where Egypt's plagues lasted days, Israel's would last generations. This predicted the ongoing Jewish diaspora sufferings from 586 BC through the Holocaust.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Jewish history from the Babylonian exile forward has been marked by extraordinary suffering—the diaspora, medieval pogroms, the Inquisition, the Holocaust. While these resulted from human evil, they occurred under God's sovereign governance. Deuteronomy 28:59 framed Jewish understanding of their own suffering for millennia.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's covenant faithfulness manifest in both blessing and judgment?
  2. What does it mean that God's judgments are 'wonderful'—not arbitrary but purposeful?
  3. How does Christ's becoming 'a curse for us' (Galatians 3:13) end the 'long continuance' of covenant curses?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
וְהִפְלָ֤א1 of 13

“will make”

H6381

properly, perhaps to separate, i.e., distinguish (literally or figuratively); by implication, to be (causatively, make) great, difficult, wonderful

יְהוָה֙2 of 13

“Then the LORD”

H3068

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

אֶת3 of 13
H853

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

מַכּ֤וֹת4 of 13

“and the plagues”

H4347

a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence

וְאֵ֖ת5 of 13
H853

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

מַכּ֤וֹת6 of 13

“and the plagues”

H4347

a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence

זַרְעֶ֑ךָ7 of 13

“of thy seed”

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

מַכּ֤וֹת8 of 13

“and the plagues”

H4347

a blow (in 2 chronicles 2:10, of the flail); by implication, a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence

גְּדֹלֹת֙9 of 13

“even great”

H1419

great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent

וְנֶֽאֱמָנִֽים׃10 of 13

“and of long continuance”

H539

properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen

וָֽחֳלָיִ֥ם11 of 13

“sicknesses”

H2483

malady, anxiety, calamity

רָעִ֖ים12 of 13

“and sore”

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

וְנֶֽאֱמָנִֽים׃13 of 13

“and of long continuance”

H539

properly, to build up or support; to foster as a parent or nurse; figuratively to render (or be) firm or faithful, to trust or believe, to be permanen

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 28:59 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 28:59 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Mark 13:19Deuteronomy 29:20-28Deuteronomy 32:26Lamentations 1:12Lamentations 4:121 Kings 9:7-9

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