King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 7:15 Mean?

Deuteronomy 7:15 in the King James Version says “And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest,... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 7 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.

Deuteronomy 7:15 · KJV


Context

13

And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee.

14

Thou shalt be blessed above all people: there shall not be male or female barren among you, or among your cattle.

15

And the LORD will take away from thee all sickness, and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee.

16

And thou shalt consume all the people which the LORD thy God shall deliver thee; thine eye shall have no pity upon them: neither shalt thou serve their gods; for that will be a snare unto thee.

17

If thou shalt say in thine heart, These nations are more than I; how can I dispossess them?


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God promises to remove sickness and reverse the plagues of Egypt upon Israel's enemies. The 'evil diseases of Egypt' likely refers to plagues experienced during the Exodus and endemic diseases in Egypt (dysentery, ophthalmia, skin diseases). This demonstrates God's sovereign control over health and disease—both blessing and curse flow from His hand. The promise is covenant-conditional: obedience brings health; disobedience brings disease (Deuteronomy 28:27-28, 60-61). This isn't a health-wealth prosperity promise but covenant principle. The New Testament shows Christ healing diseases, demonstrating His power over sickness (Matthew 8:17). Ultimate healing comes in resurrection (Revelation 21:4), though God may graciously heal in this life.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Ancient Egypt suffered various endemic diseases due to poor sanitation, parasites from Nile water, and crowded urban conditions. The plagues of Exodus demonstrated God's power over disease and nature. In Israel's subsequent history, health and national vitality correlated with covenant faithfulness. Hezekiah's illness and healing (2 Kings 20) demonstrated both God's sovereignty over sickness and His mercy in response to prayer. The prophets warned that covenant violation would bring disease (Jeremiah 14:12; Ezekiel 14:19).

Reflection Questions

  1. How should you understand the relationship between sin, suffering, and sickness in light of Scripture?
  2. What does God's promise to control disease teach about His sovereignty over all aspects of life?
  3. How does Christ's healing ministry inform your prayers for healing and your response to sickness?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְהֵסִ֧יר1 of 17

will take away

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

יְהוָ֛ה2 of 17

And the LORD

H3068

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

מִמְּךָ֖3 of 17
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

כָּל4 of 17
H3605

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

חֹ֑לִי5 of 17

from thee all sickness

H2483

malady, anxiety, calamity

וְכָל6 of 17
H3605

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

מַדְוֵי֩7 of 17

diseases

H4064

sickness

מִצְרַ֨יִם8 of 17

of Egypt

H4714

mitsrajim, i.e., upper and lower egypt

הָֽרָעִ֜ים9 of 17

none of the evil

H7451

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר10 of 17
H834

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

יָדַ֗עְתָּ11 of 17

which thou knowest

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

לֹ֤א12 of 17
H3808

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

יְשִׂימָם֙13 of 17

and will put

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

בָּ֔ךְ14 of 17
H0
וּנְתָנָ֖ם15 of 17

upon thee but will lay

H5414

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

בְּכָל16 of 17
H3605

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

שֹֽׂנְאֶֽיךָ׃17 of 17

them upon all them that hate

H8130

to hate (personally)


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 7:15 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 7:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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