Thou shalt betroth a wife, and another man shall lie with her: thou shalt build an house, and thou shalt not dwell therein: thou shalt plant a vineyard, and shalt not gather the grapes thereof.
DEUTERONOMY 28:30KJVWhat does Deuteronomy 28:30 mean?
Deuteronomy 28:30 describes a series of painful losses: a man will become engaged to a woman, but another man will sleep with her; he will build a house but not live in it; he will plant a vineyard but not enjoy its fruit. These are vivid examples of hopes being crushed and hard work being taken away by others.
Moses is speaking to the Israelites, warning them about the curses that will come if they turn away from God’s covenant. The verse paints a picture of deep frustration and injustice, showing that even the most basic joys and achievements—marriage, home, harvest—can be lost if the people are unfaithful.
The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 28:30
- The word for “betroth” is אָרַשׂ (’āras, H781), which means to become engaged or pledged to marry. In ancient Israel, betrothal was a binding agreement, so losing a fiancée to another man would be especially devastating.
- “Lie with” uses the Hebrew word שָׁכַב (shākav, H7901), which often refers to sexual relations. This makes the betrayal and loss very personal and humiliating.
- The word for “house” is בַּיִת (bayit, H1004), meaning not just a building but a home and center of family life. Not dwelling in it (יָשַׁב, yashav, H3427) emphasizes the loss of security and stability.
- “Vineyard” is כֶּרֶם (kerem, H3754), and “grapes” is עֵנָב (enav, H6025, though the tag lists חָלַל, chalal, H2490, which means “to profane” or “defile”). The idea is that the fruit of one’s labor is taken or spoiled, not enjoyed.
Why Deuteronomy 28:30 matters
- This verse clears up the idea that curses in the Bible are only about physical suffering; here, the emotional pain of seeing one’s dreams and efforts stolen is front and center.
- Deuteronomy 28:30 connects to the wider chapter, which contrasts blessings for obedience with curses for disobedience, making the consequences of turning away from God very concrete and relatable.
- The verse highlights how, in the ancient world, marriage, home, and harvest were the core of personal happiness and stability, so losing them would feel like losing everything.