Cursed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy land, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

DEUTERONOMY 28:18KJV
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Deuteronomy 28:18 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 28:18 mean?

Deuteronomy 28:18 warns that if Israel disobeys God’s covenant, their children, crops, cattle, and sheep will all be under a curse, meaning they will suffer loss or hardship in these areas. The verse lists specific parts of daily life that would be affected if the people turn away from God’s commands.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, explaining the consequences of not following God’s laws. This verse is part of a larger section where blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience are laid out in detail, showing how every aspect of life—family, food, and livelihood—depends on their relationship with God.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 28:18

  • "Cursed" (אָרוּר, 'arur'): This word means to be under a ban or to experience misfortune, not just a spoken negative wish but a real, active state of hardship.
  • "Fruit" (פְּרִי, peri): Used here for both "the fruit of thy body" (children) and "the fruit of thy land" (crops), this word highlights that both family and food supply are included in the warning.
  • "Body" (בֶּטֶן, beten): Literally means "belly" or "womb," so "fruit of thy body" refers specifically to offspring or descendants.
  • "Increase" (שְׁגַר, shegar): This word means the offspring or young produced by livestock, emphasizing not just the animals themselves but their ability to reproduce.
  • "Kine" (בָּקָר, baqar): Refers to cattle or oxen, which were essential for farming and daily life.
  • "Flocks" (עֲשְׁתְּרוֹת, ashtarot) and "sheep" (צֹאן, tson): These words point to the herds and flocks, showing that all types of livestock are included in the curse.

Why Deuteronomy 28:18 matters

  • Deuteronomy 28:18 clarifies that the consequences of disobedience are not limited to spiritual matters but touch every part of life, including family, food, and work.
  • The verse connects to the broader theme of Deuteronomy 28, where blessings and curses are described in practical, everyday terms, making the covenant’s impact very real for the people.
  • Understanding the specific Hebrew words shows that the warning is comprehensive, covering all sources of life and livelihood, not just one area.

Where else these words appear

“flocks” Hebrew H6251 · used in 4 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:13 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.
  • Deuteronomy 28:4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.
  • Deuteronomy 28:51 And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee.

“increase” Hebrew H7698 · used in 5 verses

  • Exodus 13:12 That thou shalt set apart unto the LORD all that openeth the matrix, and every firstling that cometh of a beast which thou hast; the males shall be the LORD'S.
  • Deuteronomy 7:13 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.
  • Deuteronomy 28:4 Blessed shall be the fruit of thy body, and the fruit of thy ground, and the fruit of thy cattle, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep.

“kine” Hebrew H504 · used in 8 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:13 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.
  • Deuteronomy 28:51 And he shall eat the fruit of thy cattle, and the fruit of thy land, until thou be destroyed: which also shall not leave thee either corn, wine, or oil, or the increase of thy kine, or flocks of thy sheep, until he have destroyed thee.
  • Psalms 8:7 All sheep and oxen, yea, and the beasts of the field;

“Cursed” Hebrew H779 · used in 52 verses

  • Genesis 3:14 And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
  • Numbers 24:9 He couched, he lay down as a lion, and as a great lion: who shall stir him up? Blessed is he that blesseth thee, and cursed is he that curseth thee.
  • Joshua 9:23 Now therefore ye are cursed, and there shall none of you be freed from being bondmen, and hewers of wood and drawers of water for the house of my God.