King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 28:65 Mean?

Deuteronomy 28:65 in the King James Version says “And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest: but the LORD shall give t...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Deuteronomy 28:65 · KJV

Context

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:

66

And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life:

67

In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.

Read Deuteronomy 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And among these nations shalt thou find no ease, neither shall the sole of thy foot have rest—the Hebrew phrase lōʾ ṯarḡîaʿ (לֹא תַרְגִּיעַ, 'you shall not find rest') and wǝlōʾ-yihyeh mānôaḥ lǝḵap-raḡlǝḵā (וְלֹא־יִהְיֶה מָנוֹחַ לְכַף־רַגְלֶךָ, 'no resting place for the sole of your foot') recall Noah's dove finding no rest (Genesis 8:9). But the LORD shall give thee there a trembling heart, and failing of eyes, and sorrow of mind—three conditions describing chronic anxiety: lēḇāḇ raggāz (לֵבָב רַגָּז, trembling heart/palpitations), killayyôn ʿênayim (כִּלְיוֹן עֵינַיִם, failing eyes/despair), wǝḏaʾăḇôn nāpeš (וְדַאֲבוֹן נָפֶשׁ, sorrow of soul).

This predicts not just physical exile but psychological torment. Jewish history confirms this—perpetual insecurity, pogroms, expulsions, the Holocaust. The 'trembling heart' describes constant fear of persecution. 'Failing of eyes' means hope deferred and despair. 'Sorrow of mind' is existential anguish. The absence of rest reverses God's Sabbath gift—exiled Israel finds no shalom.

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Historical & Cultural Context

From the Spanish Inquisition to Russian pogroms to Nazi persecution, Jewish exile was marked by chronic insecurity. The Wandering Jew became a medieval trope reflecting this reality. Even in modern Israel, security remains tenuous. Deuteronomy 28:65 became a lens through which Jews understood their suffering.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does lack of 'rest' symbolize separation from God, the true rest-giver?
  2. What does this passage teach about the psychological cost of covenant unfaithfulness?
  3. How does Christ's promise 'Come to Me... and I will give you rest' (Matthew 11:28) reverse this curse?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 19 words
וּבַגּוֹיִ֤ם1 of 19

“nations”

H1471

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

הָהֵם֙2 of 19

“And among these”

H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

לֹ֣א3 of 19
H3808

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

תַרְגִּ֔יעַ4 of 19

“shalt thou find no ease”

H7280

properly, to toss violently and suddenly (the sea with waves, the skin with boils); figuratively (in a favorable manner) to settle, i.e., quiet; speci

וְלֹֽא5 of 19
H3808

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

יִהְיֶ֥ה6 of 19
H1961

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

מָנ֖וֹחַ7 of 19

“have rest”

H4494

quiet, i.e., (concretely) a settled spot, or (figuratively) a home

לְכַף8 of 19

“neither shall 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-

רַגְלֶ֑ךָ9 of 19

“of thy foot”

H7272

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

וְנָתַן֩10 of 19

“shall give”

H5414

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

יְהוָ֨ה11 of 19

“but the LORD”

H3068

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

לְךָ֥12 of 19
H0
שָׁם֙13 of 19
H8033

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

לֵ֣ב14 of 19

“heart”

H3820

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the center of anything

רַגָּ֔ז15 of 19

“thee there a trembling”

H7268

timid

וְכִלְי֥וֹן16 of 19

“and failing”

H3631

pining, destruction

עֵינַ֖יִם17 of 19

“of eyes”

H5869

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

וְדַֽאֲב֥וֹן18 of 19

“and sorrow”

H1671

pining

נָֽפֶשׁ׃19 of 19

“of mind”

H5315

properly, a breathing creature, i.e., animal of (abstractly) vitality; used very widely in a literal, accommodated or figurative sense (bodily or ment

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 28:65 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 28:65 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Leviticus 26:36Romans 11:10Genesis 8:9Amos 9:4Leviticus 26:16Isaiah 57:21

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