Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit.

DEUTERONOMY 28:40KJV
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Deuteronomy 28:40 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 28:40 mean?

Deuteronomy 28:40 says that although the people will have olive trees everywhere in their land, they will not be able to use the oil from them because the olives will fall off the trees before they can be harvested. This verse describes a specific hardship as part of the consequences for disobeying God’s covenant.

In this passage, Moses is speaking to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land, warning them about the curses that will come if they turn away from God. The verse uses the image of olive trees—a valuable crop in ancient Israel—to show that even things that should bring blessing and abundance will be lost or wasted if the people are unfaithful.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 28:40

  • "Olive trees" (זַיִת, zayit): This word refers specifically to the olive tree, a symbol of prosperity and daily life in Israel. The mention of having them "throughout all thy coasts" highlights how widespread the loss will be.
  • "Anoint" (סוּךְ, sukh): This word means to rub or smear, often with oil. In ancient Israel, olive oil was used for anointing the body, a sign of refreshment and honor. The verse says they will not be able to do this, showing a loss of comfort and dignity.
  • "Oil" (שֶׁמֶן, shemen): This is the common word for oil, especially olive oil, which was essential for cooking, lighting, and religious rituals. The loss of oil means a loss of many basic needs.
  • "Cast" (נָשַׁל, nashal): This word means to drop off or shed. Here, it describes the olives falling off the tree before they can be gathered, making the trees useless for their intended purpose.

Why Deuteronomy 28:40 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the curse is not a lack of resources, but the inability to enjoy or benefit from them, which deepens the sense of loss.
  • The verse connects to the larger theme in Deuteronomy 28, where blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience are laid out in detail, showing the seriousness of the covenant.
  • Understanding the specific words for "anoint" and "cast" helps the reader see that the curse affects daily life and personal well-being, not just agricultural output.

Where else these words appear

“cast” Hebrew H5394 · used in 7 verses

  • Exodus 3:5 And he said, Draw not nigh hither: put off thy shoes from off thy feet, for the place whereon thou standest is holy ground.
  • Deuteronomy 7:22 And the LORD thy God will put out those nations before thee by little and little: thou mayest not consume them at once, lest the beasts of the field increase upon thee.
  • Joshua 5:15 And the captain of the LORD'S host said unto Joshua, Loose thy shoe from off thy foot; for the place whereon thou standest is holy. And Joshua did so.

“anoint” Hebrew H5480 · used in 8 verses

  • Ruth 3:3 Wash thyself therefore, and anoint thee, and put thy raiment upon thee, and get thee down to the floor: but make not thyself known unto the man, until he shall have done eating and drinking.
  • 2 Samuel 14:2 And Joab sent to Tekoah, and fetched thence a wise woman, and said unto her, I pray thee, feign thyself to be a mourner, and put on now mourning apparel, and anoint not thyself with oil, but be as a woman that had a long time mourned for the dead:
  • Ezekiel 16:9 Then washed I thee with water; yea, I throughly washed away thy blood from thee, and I anointed thee with oil.

“trees” Hebrew H2132 · used in 36 verses

  • Genesis 8:11 And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.
  • Judges 15:5 And when he had set the brands on fire, he let them go into the standing corn of the Philistines, and burnt up both the shocks, and also the standing corn, with the vineyards and olives.
  • Isaiah 17:6 Yet gleaning grapes shall be left in it, as the shaking of an olive tree, two or three berries in the top of the uppermost bough, four or five in the outmost fruitful branches thereof, saith the LORD God of Israel.