And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known.

DEUTERONOMY 11:28KJV
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Deuteronomy 11:28 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 11:28 mean?

Deuteronomy 11:28 warns that those who do not obey the commandments of the LORD their God will receive a curse, especially if they turn away from the path God commands and follow other gods they have not known. The verse sets a clear contrast between obedience and disobedience, with serious consequences for choosing to worship other gods.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the land of Canaan. He is explaining the blessings that come from obeying God’s commands and the curses that result from turning away. The focus here is on loyalty to the LORD (יהוה, Yahweh) and the danger of abandoning Him for unfamiliar gods, which was a real temptation in the new land.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 11:28

  • "curse" (קְלָלָה, qelalah): This word means a spoken or enacted judgment with negative consequences, highlighting the seriousness of turning from God.
  • "obey" (שָׁמַע, shama): This word often means more than just hearing; it carries the sense of listening with the intent to act, emphasizing that God expects active response, not just awareness.
  • "aside" (סוּר, sur): This word means to turn away or deviate, picturing a deliberate choice to leave the path God set out.
  • "other" (אַחֵר, acher): This word for "other" gods stresses their foreignness and unfamiliarity, underlining the danger of seeking out what is unknown and not from the LORD.

Why Deuteronomy 11:28 matters

  • Deuteronomy 11:28 clarifies that the curse is not random but directly tied to the choice to disobey and pursue other gods, making the consequences a result of specific actions.
  • The verse highlights the importance of faithfulness to the LORD alone, a central theme throughout Deuteronomy, especially as the Israelites are about to encounter new cultures and religions.
  • This warning is part of a larger pattern in Deuteronomy where Moses sets before the people the choice between blessing and curse, life and death, showing that their future depends on their response to God’s commands.