King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 30:1 Mean?

Deuteronomy 30:1 in the King James Version says “And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 30 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,

Deuteronomy 30:1 · KJV


Context

1

And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee,

2

And shalt return unto the LORD thy God, and shalt obey his voice according to all that I command thee this day, thou and thy children, with all thine heart, and with all thy soul;

3

That then the LORD thy God will turn thy captivity, and have compassion upon thee, and will return and gather thee from all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath scattered thee.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it shall come to pass, when all these things are come upon thee, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before thee, and thou shalt call them to mind among all the nations, whither the LORD thy God hath driven thee. This prophetic passage anticipates Israel's future exile - among all the nations, whither the LORD...hath driven thee. Moses foresees that disobedience will result in scattering, yet promises restoration if they repent.

The phrase the blessing and the curse refers to Deuteronomy 28's detailed blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. Israel will experience both - blessing during faithful periods, curse culminating in exile during apostasy.

The call to call them to mind indicates that remembering God's word in exile will trigger repentance. When suffering consequences of disobedience, Israel must recall God's warnings and promises, leading to turning back to Him.

This pattern - sin, judgment, remembrance, repentance, restoration - characterized Israel's history in Judges, the exile, and continues spiritually in Christian experience of sin, discipline, and restoration.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This prophecy was fulfilled multiple times - northern kingdom exiled by Assyria (722 BC), southern kingdom by Babylon (586 BC), and Roman dispersion (AD 70). Each judgment came after sustained disobedience.

Yet each exile also saw remnant remember God's word, repent, and experience restoration - return from Babylon, modern Israel's reestablishment, and ongoing gospel gathering of Jewish believers.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does accurate prophecy of future exile teach about God's foreknowledge?
  2. How does remembering God's word in suffering lead to repentance?
  3. What is the pattern of sin, judgment, remembrance, repentance, and restoration?
  4. How has this prophecy been fulfilled in Israel's historical exiles?
  5. How does this pattern apply to Christians experiencing discipline for sin?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְהָיָה֩1 of 22
H1961

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

כִֽי2 of 22
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

יָבֹ֨אוּ3 of 22

are come

H935

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

עָלֶ֜יךָ4 of 22
H5921

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

כָּל5 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַדְּבָרִ֣ים6 of 22

And it shall come to pass when all these things

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הָאֵ֗לֶּה7 of 22
H428

these or those

הַבְּרָכָה֙8 of 22

upon thee the blessing

H1293

benediction; by implication prosperity

וְהַקְּלָלָ֔ה9 of 22

and the curse

H7045

vilification

אֲשֶׁ֥ר10 of 22
H834

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

נָתַ֖תִּי11 of 22

which I have set

H5414

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

לְפָנֶ֑יךָ12 of 22

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

וַהֲשֵֽׁבֹתָ֙13 of 22

thee and thou shalt call

H7725

to turn back (hence, away) transitively or intransitively, literally or figuratively (not necessarily with the idea of return to the starting point);

אֶל14 of 22
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

לְבָבֶ֔ךָ15 of 22

them to mind

H3824

the heart (as the most interior organ)

בְּכָל16 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הַגּוֹיִ֔ם17 of 22

among all the nations

H1471

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

אֲשֶׁ֧ר18 of 22
H834

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

הִדִּֽיחֲךָ֛19 of 22

hath driven

H5080

to push off; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively (to expel, mislead, strike, inflict, etc.)

יְהוָ֥ה20 of 22

whither the LORD

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֖יךָ21 of 22

thy God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

שָֽׁמָּה׃22 of 22
H8033

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


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 30:1 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 30:1 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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