Deuteronomy 28:20-22

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 28:15-68

The curse . In case of disobedience and apostasy, not only would the blessing be withheld, but a curse would descend, blighting, destructive, and ruinous. As the blessing was set forth in six announcements ( Deuteronomy 28:3-6 ), the curse is proclaimed in form and number corresponding ( Deuteronomy 28:16-19 ). The curse thus appears as the exact counterpart of the blessing. The different forms in which the threatened curse should break forth are then detailed in five groups. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 28:15-68

Love veiled in frown. Probably many may think that this is one of the most awful chapters in the Word of God. Certainly we are not aware of any other in which there is such a long succession of warnings, increasing in terror as they advance. In fact, Matthew Henry tells us of a wicked man who was so enraged at reading this chapter that he tore the leaf out of his Bible! Impotent rage! Impotent as if, when a man dreaded an eclipse of the sun, he were to tear up the announcements thereof. ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 28:15-68

A nation becoming a beacon. If Mount Gerizim had the weight cf. the people on the side of the blessing, Mount Ebal had certainly the weight of the deliverance. No wonder the Law was to be written on its rocky tablets, since the major part of the Law consists in such denunciation of possible disobedience as might serve to render it improbable. As Dr. Arnold has said, "As if, too, warning were far more required than encouragement, we find that the blessings promised for obedience bear a... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 28:20

Vexation ; rather, consternation ; the deadly confusion with which God confounds his enemies. The same word is used in Deuteronomy 7:23 ; 1 Samuel 14:20 . Rebuke ; rather, threatening . read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 28:20-26

First group . The curse should come upon them in various forms of evil, filling them with terror and dismay, and threatening them with utter ruin (cf. Malachi 2:2 ). read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 28:21-22

The afflictive visitations here named are such as destroy life; but the distinctive character of each it is not easy exactly to define. The pestilence is probably a generic term for any fatal epidemic. In the LXX . it is usually represented by the general word Odoacer , death. Consumption ; literally, wasting ; the designation of any species of tabes or marasmus. Fever ( דַּלֶּקֶת , from דָּלַק , to be parched, to glow); inflammation ( חַחְתֻר , from חָרַר , to... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 28:15-68

The curses correspond in form and number Deuteronomy 28:15-19 to the blessings Deuteronomy 28:3-6, and the special modes in which these threats should be executed are described in five groups of denunciations Deuteronomy 28:20-68.Deuteronomy 28:20-26First series of judgments. The curse of God should rest on all they did, and should issue in manifold forms of disease, in famine, and in defeat in war.Deuteronomy 28:20Vexation - Rather, confusion: the word in the original is used Deuteronomy 7:23;... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 28:20

Deuteronomy 28:20. Cursing, vexation, and rebuke The first of these words seems to import that God would blast all their designs; the second relates to disquiet and perplexity of mind, arising from the disappointment of their hopes, and presages of approaching miseries; the third respects such chastisements from God as would give them a severe check and rebuke for their sins and follies. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 28:21-24

Deuteronomy 28:21-24. Shall make the pestilence cleave to thee Sometimes Divine Providence shall scourge you by one calamity, and sometimes by another, and they will cut off your people in great numbers. Thy heaven shall be brass Dry, and shut up from giving rain or dew. The earth iron Exceeding hard through drought, and barren. The rain of thy land powder and dust As unprofitable to thy ground or seed as if it were only so much dust. Or rather, by reason of long droughts, dust... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 28:1-68

Obedience and disobedience (28:1-68)Further blessings and curses are now listed. These were connected more with the life of the people as a whole and were directly dependent on the people’s obedience or disobedience. The blessings mainly concerned agricultural prosperity, family happiness, victory over enemies and honour in the eyes of other nations (28:1-10). God’s assurance that he would supply their needs was linked to a warning. They were not to look for family increase or agricultural... read more

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