The LORD shall send upon thee cursing, vexation, and rebuke, in all that thou settest thine hand unto for to do, until thou be destroyed, and until thou perish quickly; because of the wickedness of thy doings, whereby thou hast forsaken me.

DEUTERONOMY 28:20KJV
Know the Bible

Deuteronomy 28:20 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 28:20 mean?

Deuteronomy 28:20 warns that if the Israelites abandon God and act wickedly, the LORD will bring curses, trouble, and harsh correction on everything they try to do, leading to their ruin and quick destruction. This is described as a direct result of their unfaithfulness and wrongdoing.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the people of Israel as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. He is explaining the consequences that will come if they turn away from God after all He has done for them. The verse uses strong language to show that their actions have serious outcomes, and that God’s response is tied to their choice to forsake Him.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 28:20

  • "LORD" (יְהוָה, YHWH): This is the personal name for God used throughout the Hebrew Bible, emphasizing that these warnings come from Israel’s covenant God, not a distant or impersonal force.
  • "Cursing" (מְאֵרָה, me'erah): This word means a formal curse or pronouncement of misfortune. It highlights that the troubles described are not random but are a direct response to disobedience.
  • "Vexation" (מְהוּמָה, mehumah): Often understood as confusion, panic, or turmoil. This adds the idea that their lives and efforts will be filled with inner and outer chaos.
  • "Forsaken" (עָזַב, azav): This word means to abandon or leave behind. The verse stresses that the root problem is the people turning away from God, not just making mistakes.

Why Deuteronomy 28:20 matters

  • Deuteronomy 28:20 makes it clear that the consequences for forsaking God are not just spiritual but affect every part of life, including daily work and well-being.
  • The verse ties the people’s fate directly to their relationship with God, showing that their choices have real, practical outcomes.
  • This warning is part of a larger section where blessings and curses are laid out, helping the reader see the seriousness of the covenant and the importance of faithfulness in Israel’s history.

Where else these words appear

“cursing” Hebrew H3994 · used in 5 verses

  • Proverbs 3:33 The curse of the LORD is in the house of the wicked: but he blesseth the habitation of the just.
  • Proverbs 28:27 He that giveth unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hideth his eyes shall have many a curse.
  • Malachi 2:2 If ye will not hear, and if ye will not lay it to heart, to give glory unto my name, saith the LORD of hosts, I will even send a curse upon you, and I will curse your blessings: yea, I have cursed them already, because ye do not lay it to heart.

“settest” Hebrew H4916 · used in 10 verses

  • Deuteronomy 12:7 And there ye shall eat before the LORD your God, and ye shall rejoice in all that ye put your hand unto, ye and your households, wherein the LORD thy God hath blessed thee.
  • Deuteronomy 23:20 Unto a stranger thou mayest lend upon usury; but unto thy brother thou shalt not lend upon usury: that the LORD thy God may bless thee in all that thou settest thine hand to in the land whither thou goest to possess it.
  • Esther 9:22 As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor.

“vexation” Hebrew H4103 · used in 12 verses

  • Deuteronomy 7:23 But the LORD thy God shall deliver them unto thee, and shall destroy them with a mighty destruction, until they be destroyed.
  • 1 Samuel 14:20 And Saul and all the people that were with him assembled themselves, and they came to the battle: and, behold, every man's sword was against his fellow, and there was a very great discomfiture.
  • Ezekiel 7:7 The morning is come unto thee, O thou that dwellest in the land: the time is come, the day of trouble is near, and not the sounding again of the mountains.

“quickly” Hebrew H4118 · used in 17 verses

  • Exodus 32:8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.
  • Deuteronomy 9:12 And the LORD said unto me, Arise, get thee down quickly from hence; for thy people which thou hast brought forth out of Egypt have corrupted themselves; they are quickly turned aside out of the way which I commanded them; they have made them a molten image.
  • Psalms 69:17 And hide not thy face from thy servant; for I am in trouble: hear me speedily.