King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 28:7 Mean?

Deuteronomy 28:7 in the King James Version says “The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against ...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 28 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.”

Deuteronomy 28:7 · KJV

Context

5

Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store. store: or, dough, or, kneadingtroughs

6

Blessed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and blessed shalt thou be when thou goest out.

7

The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways.

8

The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. storehouses: or, barns

9

The LORD shall establish thee an holy people unto himself, as he hath sworn unto thee, if thou shalt keep the commandments of the LORD thy God, and walk in his ways.

Read Deuteronomy 28 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
The LORD shall cause thine enemies that rise up against thee to be smitten before thy face: they shall come out against thee one way, and flee before thee seven ways. God promises military victory over enemies - those who rise up against thee will be smitten before thy face. This visible defeat demonstrates God's protection of His covenant people before watching nations.

The imagery of enemies coming one way but fleeing seven ways indicates complete rout and panic. Organized military advance dissolves into chaotic scattered flight. Seven (number of completeness) suggests total defeat and disintegration of enemy forces.

This promise doesn't guarantee absence of conflict but victory in conflict. Enemies will rise up, but God will defeat them. Covenant faithfulness doesn't eliminate opposition but ensures divine help in overcoming it.

Paul applies this spiritually - we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us (Romans 8:37). Christ's victory over sin, death, and Satan ensures believers' ultimate triumph despite present conflicts.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Israel's history bore this out - when faithful to covenant, they defeated superior enemy forces miraculously (Jericho, Midianites, Assyrians). When disobedient, they suffered defeat by weaker opponents.

The covenant blessing-curse pattern operated militarily as well as agriculturally - obedience brought victory, disobedience brought defeat.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does visible victory teach about God defending His covenant people?
  2. How does organized advance dissolving into scattered flight picture complete defeat?
  3. Why doesn't covenant faithfulness eliminate opposition but ensures victory over it?
  4. How does Paul apply this principle spiritually to Christian spiritual warfare?
  5. What does Israel's military history teach about the covenant blessing-curse pattern?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
יִתֵּ֨ן1 of 16

“shall cause”

H5414

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

יְהוָ֤ה2 of 16

“The LORD”

H3068

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

אֶת3 of 16
H853

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

אֹֽיְבֶ֙יךָ֙4 of 16

“thine enemies”

H341

hating; an adversary

הַקָּמִ֣ים5 of 16

“that rise up”

H6965

to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)

עָלֶ֔יךָ6 of 16
H5921

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

נִגָּפִ֖ים7 of 16

“against thee to be smitten”

H5062

to push, gore, defeat, stub (the toe), inflict (a disease)

לְפָנֶֽיךָ׃8 of 16

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

דְרָכִ֖ים9 of 16

“way”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

אֶחָד֙10 of 16

“against thee one”

H259

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

יֵֽצְא֣וּ11 of 16

“they shall come out”

H3318

to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim

אֵלֶ֔יךָ12 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וּבְשִׁבְעָ֥ה13 of 16

“thee seven”

H7651

seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number

דְרָכִ֖ים14 of 16

“way”

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

יָנ֥וּסוּ15 of 16

“and flee”

H5127

to flit, i.e., vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)

לְפָנֶֽיךָ׃16 of 16

“before”

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

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 28:7 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 28:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

2 Samuel 22:38-41Leviticus 26:7-8Psalms 89:232 Chronicles 32:21-222 Chronicles 19:4Joshua 8:22

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