Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy 28

Verse 1

and to do. No "and" in Hebrew text, but it is read in some codices with Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate.

this day. See note on Deuteronomy 4:26 .

above all nations. See Deuteronomy 26:19 .

Verse 2

these blessings. Figure of speech Hypotyposis. App-6 .

Verse 3

Blessed. Figure of speech Anaphora. App-6 . "Blessed" six times. Compare note on "Cursed", Deuteronomy 27:15 .

Verse 5

basket. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject) for its contents.

store = kneading-troughs, put for the dough in them.

Verse 6

comest in. Compare Psalms 121:8 .

Verse 8

storehouses = barns. Hebrew. 'aSamaritan Pentateuch Occurs only here and Proverbs 3:10 .

settest thine hand = lettest thine hand go forth. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause) for all that is wrought by it. App-6 .

hand. Some codices, with three early printed editions, Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Vulgate, read "hands".

Verse 9

holy. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

as = according as.

Verse 10

people = Peoples.

Verse 11

in goods = for good; or, in that which is good.

thy ground = thy soil.

in the land = on the soil. Hebrew. adamah .

Verse 12

season. Compare Deuteronomy 11:14 .

hand. Some codices, with two early printed editions, Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "hands".

lend. Compare Deuteronomy 15:6 and Proverbs 22:7 .

Verse 13

the head, and not the tail. Figure of speech Pleonasm ( App-6 ) for great emphasis.

above . . . and not beneath. Figure of speech Pleonasm. See note above.

Verse 14

go aside. Compare Deuteronomy 17:11 , Deuteronomy 17:20 . Proverbs 4:27 .

Verse 15

statutes. See note on Deuteronomy 4:1 .

these curses. Figure of speech Hypotyposis. App-6 .

Verse 21

pestilence. Probably true Oriental plague.

land = soil. Hebrew. 'adamah.

Verse 22

consumption. Probably phthisis.

fever. Probably a continued fever of some kind.

inflammation. Probably the rigor and heat of malarial intermittent fever.

extreme burning. Probably prickly-heat.

Verse 25

shall cause. Note the fulfilment of verses: Deuteronomy 28:25 , Deuteronomy 28:37 , Deuteronomy 28:46 , Deu 25:48 , Deu 25:49 , Deu 25:50 , Deu 25:52 , Deu 25:62 , reaching down to the present day.

Verse 26

thy carcase. Septuagint hoi nekroi, with article, denoting corpses as distinct from the people who are dead.

unto all fowls. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Targum of Onkelos, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "for the bird".

fray = frighten (Old English).

Verse 27

botch = elephantiasis.

emerods = Old English spelling of modern Hemorrhoids. or "piles". Written "posteriors" in Hebrew text, but read "tumours" by way of Figure of speech Euphemism.

scab = aggravated psoriasis.

itch = prurigo.

Verse 30

lie with. Hebrew. Euphemism for "ravish".

Verse 32

might = power. Hebrew. 'el. App-4 .

hand. Some codices, with three early printed editions and Syriac, read plural, "hands".

Verse 33

labours. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause) for the result or fruit of them. App-6 .

Verse 37

nations = peoples. Compare 1 Kings 9:8 . Psalms 44:13 , Psalms 44:14 .

Verse 38

locust. Hebrew. 'arbeh. Used of the Egyptian plague. Exodus 10:4 , &c.

Verse 40

coasts = borders, or confines.

Verse 42

locust = grasshopper. Hebrew. zelazal, from noise of its wings.

consume. Hebrew possess.

Verse 43

very high. Hebrew "high, high". Figure of speech Epizeuxis. App-6 .

very low. Hebrew "low, low". Figure of speech Epizeuxis. App-6 . Compare the Figure of speech Isaiah 26:3 .

Verse 45

statutes. See note on Deuteronomy 4:1 .

Verse 46

for ever. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Whole). App-6 . The whole of time put for a part of it.

Verse 48

yoke of iron. Put by Figure of speech for a heavy yoke or a grievous bondage.

Verse 49

thee. The judgments that follow are for "the Jew first", but also for the Gentile. Compare Isaiah 13:9 . Romans 2:7-10 .

as = according as.

Verse 50

of fierce countenance. Hebrew = strong of face: "strong" put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct) for boldness or fierceness. Compare Isaiah 5:26-29 .

Verse 51

wine. Hebrew. tirosh. See App-27 . Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch and Syriac, read "or new wine".

Verse 53

eat. Compare Jeremiah 19:9 .

Verse 56

adventure. Old English idiom for "venture to go".

Verse 58

written. See note on Exodus 17:14 .

this book. See App-47 , and Compare Deuteronomy 28:61 below.

name. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct) for Him who bears it. App-6 .

Verse 61

the book of this law = this book of the law. Compare Deuteronomy 28:58 . Deuteronomy 29:21 ; Deuteronomy 30:10 . 2 Kings 22:13 , and App-47 .

Verse 64

all people = all kinds of peoples. Put by Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus).

Verse 65

mind. Hebrew. nephesh, soul. App-13 .

Verse 66

fear. Hebrew. Homonym : pahad , to fear, here and Job 23:15 ; but = rejoice, Isaiah 60:5 .

Verse 67

Would God. Figure of speech Eu c h e. App-6 .

Verse 68

into Egypt. So Hosea 8:13 ; Hosea 9:3 . May be put by Figure of speech Metonymy for servitude.

ships. Second occurrence in O.T. See Genesis 49:13 .

sold = put up for sale.

buy you. This is the end of Moses' fifth address. See note on Deuteronomy 1:6 .