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Selected Verse: Deuteronomy 28:1 - Strong Concordance

Verse	Translation	Text
De 28:1	Strong Concordance	And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken [08085] diligently [08085] unto the voice [06963] of the LORD [03068] thy God [0430], to observe [08104] and to do [06213] all his commandments [04687] which I command [06680] thee this day [03117], that the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] will set [05414] thee on high [05945] above all nations [01471] of the earth [0776]:
	King James	And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the LORD thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

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A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]
THE BLESSINGS FOR OBEDIENCE. (Deu. 28:1-68) if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God--In this chapter the blessings and curses are enumerated at length, and in various minute details, so that on the first entrance of the Israelites into the land of promise, their whole destiny was laid before them, as it was to result from their obedience or the contrary.

A Commentary, Critical, Practical, and Explanatory on the Old and New Testaments, by Robert Jamieson, A.R. Fausset and David Brown [1882]

THE BLESSINGS FOR OBEDIENCE. (Deu. 28:1-68)

if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God--In this chapter the blessings and curses are enumerated at length, and in various minute details, so that on the first entrance of the Israelites into the land of promise, their whole destiny was laid before them, as it was to result from their obedience or the contrary.

Notes on the Bible, by Albert Barnes, [1834]
A comparison of this chapter with Exo 23:20-23 and Lev. 26 will show how Moses here resumes and amplifies the promises and threats already set forth in the earlier records of the Law. The language rises in this chapter to the sublimest strains, especially in the latter part of it; and the prophecies respecting the dispersion and degradation of the Jewish nation in its later days are among the most remarkable in scripture. They are plain, precise, and circumstantial; and the fulfillment of them has been literal, complete, and undeniable. The Blessing. The six repetitions of the word "blessed" introduce the particular forms which the blessing would take in the various relations of life. Deu 28:5 The "basket" or bag was a customary means in the East for carrying about whatever might be needed for personal uses (compare Deu 26:2; Joh 13:29). The "store" is rather the kneading-trough Exo 8:3; Exo 12:34. The blessings here promised relate, it will be observed, to private and personal life: in Deu 28:7 those which are of a more public and national character are brought forward. Deu 28:9 The oath with which God vouchsafed to confirm His promises to the patriarchs (compare Gen 22:16; Heb 6:13-14) contained by implication these gifts of holiness and eminence to Israel (compare the marginal references).

The Scofield Bible Commentary, by Cyrus Ingerson Scofield, [1917]
if thou shalt hearken Chapters 28-29 are, properly, an integral part of the Palestinian covenant, (Deu 30:1-9). (See Scofield) - (Deu 30:3).

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]
For the purpose of impressing upon the hearts of all the people in the most emphatic manner both the blessing which Israel was to proclaim upon Gerizim, and the curse which it was to proclaim upon Ebal, Moses now unfolds the blessing of fidelity to the law and the curse of transgression in a longer address, in which he once more resumes, sums up, and expands still further the promises and threats of the law in Exo 23:20-33, and Lev 26. Deu 28:1-6 The Blessing. - Deu 28:1. If Israel would hearken to the voice of the Lord its God, the Lord would make it the highest of all the nations of the earth. This thought, with which the discourse on the law in Deu 26:19 terminated, forms the theme, and in a certain sense the heading, of the following description of the blessing, through which the Lord, according to the more distinct declaration in Deu 28:2, would glorify His people above all the nations of the earth. The indispensable condition for obtaining this blessing, was obedience to the word of the Lord, or keeping His commandments. To impress this condition sine qua non thoroughly upon the people, Moses not only repeats it at the commencement (Deu 28:2), and in the middle (Deu 28:9), but also at the close (Deu 28:13, Deu 28:14), in both a positive and a negative form. In Deu 28:2, "the way in which Israel was to be exalted is pointed out" (Schultz); and thus the theme is more precisely indicated, and the elaboration of it is introduced. "All these blessings (those mentioned singly in what follows) will come upon thee and reach thee." The blessings are represented as actual powers, which follow the footsteps of the nation, and overtake it. In Deu 28:3-6, the fulness of the blessing of God in all the relations of life is depicted in a sixfold repetition of the word "blessed." Israel will be blessed in the town and in the field, the two spheres in which its life moves (Deu 28:3); blessed will be the fruit of the body, of the earth, and of the cattle, i.e., in all its productions (Deu 28:4; for each one, see Deu 7:13-14); blessed will be the basket (Deu 26:2) in which the fruits are kept, and the kneading - trough (Exo 12:34) in which the daily bread is prepared (Deu 28:5); blessed will the nation be in all its undertakings ("coming in and going out;" vid., Num 27:17). Deu 28:7-14 Deu 28:7-14 describe the influence and effect of the blessing upon all the circumstances and situations in which the nation might be placed: in Deu 28:7-10, with reference (a) to the attitude of Israel towards its enemies (Deu 28:7); (b) to its trade and handicraft (Deu 28:8); (c) to its attitude towards all the nations of the earth (Deu 28:9, Deu 28:10). The optative forms, יתּן and יצו (in Deu 28:7 and Deu 28:8), are worthy of notice. They show that Moses not only proclaimed the blessing to the people, but desired it for them, because he knew that Israel would not always or perfectly fulfil the condition upon which it was to be bestowed. "May the Lord be pleased to give thine enemies...smitten before thee," i.e., give them up to thee as smitten (לפני נתן, to give up before a person, to deliver up to him: cf. Deu 1:8), so that they shall come out against thee by one way, and flee from thee by seven ways, i.e., in wild dispersion (cf. Lev 26:7-8). Deu 28:8 "May the Lord command the blessing with thee (put it at thy disposal) in thy barns (granaries, store-rooms) and in all thy business" ("to set the hand;" see Deu 12:7). Deu 28:9-12 "The Lord will exalt thee for a holy nation to Himself,...so that all the nations of the earth shall see that the name of Jehovah is named upon thee, and shall fear before thee." The Lord had called Israel as a holy nation, when He concluded the covenant with it (Exo 19:5-6). This promise, to which the words "as He hath sworn unto thee" point back, and which is called an oath, because it was founded upon the promises given to the patriarchs on oath (Gen 22:16), and was given implicite in them, the Lord would fulfil to His people, and cause the holiness and glory of Israel to be so clearly manifested, that all nations should perceive or see "that the name of the Lord is named upon Israel." The name of the Lord is the revelation of His glorious nature. It is named upon Israel, when Israel is transformed into the glory of the divine nature (cf. Isa 63:19; Jer 14:9). It was only in feeble commencements that this blessing was fulfilled upon Israel under the Old Testament; and it is not till the restoration of Israel, which is to take place in the future according to Rom 11:25., that its complete fulfilment will be attained. In Deu 28:11 and Deu 28:12, Moses returns to the earthly blessing, for the purpose of unfolding this still further. "Superabundance will the Lord give thee for good (i.e., for happiness and prosperity; vid., Deu 30:9), in fruit of thy body," etc. (cf. Deu 28:4). He would open His good treasure-house, the heaven, to give rain to the land in its season (cf. Deu 11:14; Lev 26:4-5), and bless the work of the hands, i.e., the cultivation of the soil, so that Israel would be able to lend to many, according to the prospect already set before it in Deu 15:6. Deu 28:13-14 By such blessings He would "make Israel the head, and not the tail," - a figure taken from life (vid., Isa 9:13), the meaning of which is obvious, and is given literally in the next sentence, "thou wilt be above only, and not beneath," i.e., thou wilt rise more and more, and increase in wealth, power, and dignity. With this the discourse returns to its commencement; and the promise of blessing closes with another emphatic repetition of the condition on which the fulfilment depended (Deu 28:13 and Deu 28:14. On Deu 28:14, see Deu 5:29; Deu 11:28).

Commentary on the Old Testament, by Carl Friedrich Keil and Franz Delitzsch [1857-78]

For the purpose of impressing upon the hearts of all the people in the most emphatic manner both the blessing which Israel was to proclaim upon Gerizim, and the curse which it was to proclaim upon Ebal, Moses now unfolds the blessing of fidelity to the law and the curse of transgression in a longer address, in which he once more resumes, sums up, and expands still further the promises and threats of the law in Exo 23:20-33, and Lev 26.

Deu 28:1-6

The Blessing. - Deu 28:1. If Israel would hearken to the voice of the Lord its God, the Lord would make it the highest of all the nations of the earth. This thought, with which the discourse on the law in Deu 26:19 terminated, forms the theme, and in a certain sense the heading, of the following description of the blessing, through which the Lord, according to the more distinct declaration in Deu 28:2, would glorify His people above all the nations of the earth. The indispensable condition for obtaining this blessing, was obedience to the word of the Lord, or keeping His commandments. To impress this condition sine qua non thoroughly upon the people, Moses not only repeats it at the commencement (Deu 28:2), and in the middle (Deu 28:9), but also at the close (Deu 28:13, Deu 28:14), in both a positive and a negative form. In Deu 28:2, "the way in which Israel was to be exalted is pointed out" (Schultz); and thus the theme is more precisely indicated, and the elaboration of it is introduced. "All these blessings (those mentioned singly in what follows) will come upon thee and reach thee." The blessings are represented as actual powers, which follow the footsteps of the nation, and overtake it. In Deu 28:3-6, the fulness of the blessing of God in all the relations of life is depicted in a sixfold repetition of the word "blessed." Israel will be blessed in the town and in the field, the two spheres in which its life moves (Deu 28:3); blessed will be the fruit of the body, of the earth, and of the cattle, i.e., in all its productions (Deu 28:4; for each one, see Deu 7:13-14); blessed will be the basket (Deu 26:2) in which the fruits are kept, and the kneading - trough (Exo 12:34) in which the daily bread is prepared (Deu 28:5); blessed will the nation be in all its undertakings ("coming in and going out;" vid., Num 27:17).

Deu 28:7-14

Deu 28:7-14 describe the influence and effect of the blessing upon all the circumstances and situations in which the nation might be placed: in Deu 28:7-10, with reference (a) to the attitude of Israel towards its enemies (Deu 28:7); (b) to its trade and handicraft (Deu 28:8); (c) to its attitude towards all the nations of the earth (Deu 28:9, Deu 28:10). The optative forms, יתּן and יצו (in Deu 28:7 and Deu 28:8), are worthy of notice. They show that Moses not only proclaimed the blessing to the people, but desired it for them, because he knew that Israel would not always or perfectly fulfil the condition upon which it was to be bestowed. "May the Lord be pleased to give thine enemies...smitten before thee," i.e., give them up to thee as smitten (לפני נתן, to give up before a person, to deliver up to him: cf. Deu 1:8), so that they shall come out against thee by one way, and flee from thee by seven ways, i.e., in wild dispersion (cf. Lev 26:7-8).

Deu 28:8

"May the Lord command the blessing with thee (put it at thy disposal) in thy barns (granaries, store-rooms) and in all thy business" ("to set the hand;" see Deu 12:7).

Deu 28:9-12

"The Lord will exalt thee for a holy nation to Himself,...so that all the nations of the earth shall see that the name of Jehovah is named upon thee, and shall fear before thee." The Lord had called Israel as a holy nation, when He concluded the covenant with it (Exo 19:5-6). This promise, to which the words "as He hath sworn unto thee" point back, and which is called an oath, because it was founded upon the promises given to the patriarchs on oath (Gen 22:16), and was given implicite in them, the Lord would fulfil to His people, and cause the holiness and glory of Israel to be so clearly manifested, that all nations should perceive or see "that the name of the Lord is named upon Israel." The name of the Lord is the revelation of His glorious nature. It is named upon Israel, when Israel is transformed into the glory of the divine nature (cf. Isa 63:19; Jer 14:9). It was only in feeble commencements that this blessing was fulfilled upon Israel under the Old Testament; and it is not till the restoration of Israel, which is to take place in the future according to Rom 11:25., that its complete fulfilment will be attained. In Deu 28:11 and Deu 28:12, Moses returns to the earthly blessing, for the purpose of unfolding this still further. "Superabundance will the Lord give thee for good (i.e., for happiness and prosperity; vid., Deu 30:9), in fruit of thy body," etc. (cf. Deu 28:4). He would open His good treasure-house, the heaven, to give rain to the land in its season (cf. Deu 11:14; Lev 26:4-5), and bless the work of the hands, i.e., the cultivation of the soil, so that Israel would be able to lend to many, according to the prospect already set before it in Deu 15:6.

Deu 28:13-14

By such blessings He would "make Israel the head, and not the tail," - a figure taken from life (vid., Isa 9:13), the meaning of which is obvious, and is given literally in the next sentence, "thou wilt be above only, and not beneath," i.e., thou wilt rise more and more, and increase in wealth, power, and dignity. With this the discourse returns to its commencement; and the promise of blessing closes with another emphatic repetition of the condition on which the fulfilment depended (Deu 28:13 and Deu 28:14. On Deu 28:14, see Deu 5:29; Deu 11:28).

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¹³ For [1063] when God [2316] made promise [1861] to Abraham [11], because [1893] he could [2192] swear [3660] by [2596] no [3762] greater [3187], he sware [3660] by [2596] himself [1438],
¹⁴ Saying [3004], Surely [2229] [3375] blessing [2127] I will bless [2127] thee [4571], and [2532] multiplying [4129] I will multiply [4129] thee [4571].

¹⁶ And said [0559], By myself have I sworn [07650], saith [05002] the LORD [03068], for because [03282] [0834] thou hast done [06213] this thing [01697], and hast not [03808] withheld [02820] thy son [01121], thine only [03173] son:

⁹ The LORD [03068] shall establish [06965] thee an holy [06918] people [05971] unto himself, as he hath sworn [07650] unto thee, if thou shalt keep [08104] the commandments [04687] of the LORD [03068] thy God [0430], and walk [01980] in his ways [01870].

⁷ The LORD [03068] shall cause [05414] thine enemies [0341] that rise up [06965] against thee to be smitten [05062] before thy face [06440]: they shall come out [03318] against thee one [0259] way [01870], and flee [05127] before [06440] thee seven [07651] ways [01870].

³⁴ And the people [05971] took [05375] their dough [01217] before it was leavened [02556], their kneadingtroughs [04863] being bound up [06887] in their clothes [08071] upon their shoulders [07926].

³ And the river [02975] shall bring forth [08317] frogs [06854] abundantly [08317], which shall go up [05927] and come [0935] into thine house [01004], and into thy bedchamber [02315] [04904], and upon thy bed [04296], and into the house [01004] of thy servants [05650], and upon thy people [05971], and into thine ovens [08574], and into thy kneadingtroughs [04863]:

²⁹ For [1063] some [5100] of them thought [1380], because [1893] Judas [2455] had [2192] the bag [1101], that [3754] Jesus [2424] had said [3004] unto him [846], Buy [59] those things that [3739] we have [2192] need of [5532] against [1519] the feast [1859]; or [2228], that [2443] he should give [1325] something [5100] to the poor [4434].

² That thou shalt take [03947] of the first [07225] of all the fruit [06529] of the earth [0127], which thou shalt bring [0935] of thy land [0776] that the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] giveth [05414] thee, and shalt put [07760] it in a basket [02935], and shalt go [01980] unto the place [04725] which the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] shall choose [0977] to place [07931] his name [08034] there.

⁵ Blessed [01288] shall be thy basket [02935] and thy store [04863].

²⁰ Behold, I send [07971] an Angel [04397] before [06440] thee, to keep [08104] thee in the way [01870], and to bring [0935] thee into the place [04725] which I have prepared [03559].
²¹ Beware [08104] of [06440] him, and obey [08085] his voice [06963], provoke [04843] him not; for he will not pardon [05375] your transgressions [06588]: for my name [08034] is in him [07130].
²² But if thou shalt indeed [08085] obey [08085] his voice [06963], and do [06213] all that I speak [01696]; then I will be an enemy [0340] unto thine enemies [0341], and an adversary [06887] unto thine adversaries [06696].
²³ For mine Angel [04397] shall go [03212] before [06440] thee, and bring [0935] thee in unto the Amorites [0567], and the Hittites [02850], and the Perizzites [06522], and the Canaanites [03669], the Hivites [02340], and the Jebusites [02983]: and I will cut them off [03582].

³ That then the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] will turn [07725] thy captivity [07622], and have compassion [07355] upon thee, and will return [07725] and gather [06908] thee from all the nations [05971], whither the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] hath scattered [06327] thee.

¹ And it shall come to pass, when all these things [01697] are come [0935] upon thee, the blessing [01293] and the curse [07045], which I have set [05414] before [06440] thee, and thou shalt call [07725] them to mind [03824] among all the nations [01471], whither the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] hath driven [05080] thee,
² And shalt return [07725] unto the LORD [03068] thy God [0430], and shalt obey [08085] his voice [06963] according to all that I command [06680] thee this day [03117], thou and thy children [01121], with all thine heart [03824], and with all thy soul [05315];
³ That then the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] will turn [07725] thy captivity [07622], and have compassion [07355] upon thee, and will return [07725] and gather [06908] thee from all the nations [05971], whither the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] hath scattered [06327] thee.
⁴ If any of thine be driven out [05080] unto the outmost [07097] parts of heaven [08064], from thence will the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] gather [06908] thee, and from thence will he fetch [03947] thee:
⁵ And the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] will bring [0935] thee into the land [0776] which thy fathers [01] possessed [03423], and thou shalt possess [03423] it; and he will do thee good [03190], and multiply [07235] thee above thy fathers [01].
⁶ And the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] will circumcise [04135] thine heart [03824], and the heart [03824] of thy seed [02233], to love [0157] the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] with all thine heart [03824], and with all thy soul [05315], that thou mayest live [02416].
⁷ And the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] will put [05414] all these curses [0423] upon thine enemies [0341], and on them that hate [08130] thee, which persecuted [07291] thee.
⁸ And thou shalt return [07725] and obey [08085] the voice [06963] of the LORD [03068], and do [06213] all his commandments [04687] which I command [06680] thee this day [03117].
⁹ And the LORD [03068] thy God [0430] will make thee plenteous [03498] in every work [04639] of thine hand [03027], in the fruit [06529] of thy body [0990], and in the fruit [06529] of thy cattle [0929], and in the fruit [06529] of thy land [0127], for good [02896]: for the LORD [03068] will again [07725] rejoice [07797] over thee for good [02896], as he rejoiced [07797] over thy fathers [01]: