King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 28:63 Mean?

Deuteronomy 28:63 in the King James Version says “And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejo...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.”

Deuteronomy 28:63 · KJV

Context

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

62

And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God.

63

And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you, and to bring you to nought; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest to possess it.

64

And the LORD shall scatter thee among all people, from the one end of the earth even unto the other; and there thou shalt serve other gods, which neither thou nor thy fathers have known, even wood and stone.

65

And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind:

Read Deuteronomy 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good—the Hebrew śāśû śîś YHWH ʿălêḵem lǝhêṭîḇ (שָׂשׂ יְהוָה עֲלֵיכֶם לְהֵיטִיב, 'the LORD rejoiced rejoicing over you to do good') uses emphatic repetition showing God's enthusiastic delight in blessing. But so the LORD will rejoice over you to destroy you (כֵּן יָשִׂישׂ יְהוָה עֲלֵיכֶם לְהַאֲבִיד, kēn yāśîś YHWH ʿălêḵem lǝhaʾăḇîḏ)—the same verb 'rejoice' is shockingly applied to judgment.

This anthropomorphic language strains human understanding: does God literally rejoice in destruction? The answer lies in God's rejoicing in righteousness—whether blessing obedience or judging rebellion, He delights in His own holiness displayed. The phrase and ye shall be plucked from off the land (וְנִסַּחְתֶּם, wǝnissaḥtem, 'and you shall be torn up') uses agricultural language—Israel planted will be uprooted. This happened in 722 BC, 586 BC, and AD 70/135.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

God's 'rejoicing' in judgment is attested elsewhere (Proverbs 1:26, Lamentations 2:17, Ezekiel 5:13). This doesn't mean sadistic pleasure but satisfaction that justice is done. The 'plucking' from the land happened repeatedly, with Jews becoming the world's archetypal displaced people.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can a loving God 'rejoice' in judgment without contradicting His character?
  2. What does this passage teach about God's zeal for His own glory and righteousness?
  3. How does Christ's experience of God's wrath satisfy divine justice and end God's 'rejoicing' in our destruction?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 25 words
וְ֠הָיָה1 of 25
H1961

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

כַּֽאֲשֶׁר2 of 25
H834

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

יָשִׂ֤ישׂ3 of 25

“rejoiced”

H7797

to be bright, i.e., cheerful

יְהוָה֙4 of 25

“And it shall come to pass that as the LORD”

H3068

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

עֲלֵיכֶ֗ם5 of 25
H5921

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

לְהֵיטִ֣יב6 of 25

“over you to do you good”

H3190

to be (causative) make well, literally (sound, beautiful) or figuratively (happy, successful, right)

אֶתְכֶם֮7 of 25
H853

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

וּלְהַרְבּ֣וֹת8 of 25

“and to multiply”

H7235

to increase (in whatever respect)

אֶתְכֶם֒9 of 25
H853

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

כֵּ֣ן10 of 25
H3651

properly, set upright; hence (figuratively as adjective) just; but usually (as adverb or conjunction) rightly or so (in various applications to manner

יָשִׂ֤ישׂ11 of 25

“rejoiced”

H7797

to be bright, i.e., cheerful

יְהוָה֙12 of 25

“And it shall come to pass that as the LORD”

H3068

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

עֲלֵיכֶ֔ם13 of 25
H5921

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

לְהַֽאֲבִ֥יד14 of 25

“over you to destroy”

H6

properly, to wander away, i.e., lose oneself; by implication to perish (causative, destroy)

אֶתְכֶ֖ם15 of 25
H853

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

וּלְהַשְׁמִ֣יד16 of 25

“you and to bring you to nought”

H8045

to desolate

אֶתְכֶ֑ם17 of 25
H853

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

וְנִסַּחְתֶּם֙18 of 25

“and ye shall be plucked”

H5255

to tear away

מֵעַ֣ל19 of 25
H5921

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

הָֽאֲדָמָ֔ה20 of 25

“from off the land”

H127

soil (from its general redness)

אֲשֶׁר21 of 25
H834

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

אַתָּ֥ה22 of 25
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

בָא23 of 25

“whither thou goest”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

שָׁ֖מָּה24 of 25
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

לְרִשְׁתָּֽהּ׃25 of 25

“to possess”

H3423

to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by implication, to seize, to rob, to inherit; also to expel, to impoverish

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 28:63 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 28:63 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Proverbs 1:26Jeremiah 32:41Ezekiel 5:13Isaiah 1:24Deuteronomy 30:9Zephaniah 3:17

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 28 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

Continue Your Study

Read Deuteronomy 28 with CommentaryAll Deuteronomy ChaptersComplete Deuteronomy QuizBible CharactersNave's Topical BibleAll Bible Quizzes