Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;

DEUTERONOMY 28:47KJV
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Deuteronomy 28:47 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 28:47 mean?

Deuteronomy 28:47 says that the people did not serve the LORD their God with joy and gladness of heart, even though they had plenty of everything. The verse points out that their lack of grateful and joyful service to God, despite their abundance, is a reason for the troubles that follow in this chapter.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, warning them about the consequences of not honoring God sincerely. The verse highlights that God values not just outward obedience, but also the attitude and thankfulness behind it, especially when people are blessed with abundance.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 28:47

  • "servedst" (עָבַד, ʿāvad): This word means to serve or work for someone, often used for serving God. Here, it stresses that service to God is expected to be more than just duty—it should come from the heart.
  • "joyfulness" (שִׂמְחָה, simchah): This word means joy or rejoicing. The verse emphasizes that God desires service marked by genuine happiness, not just obligation.
  • "gladness" (טוּב, tuv): This word can mean goodness or gladness, pointing to a sense of well-being or delight. Serving God with "gladness of heart" (לֵבָב, levav) means serving with sincere, inner contentment.
  • "abundance" (רֹב, rov): This word means plenty or multitude. The verse underlines that the Israelites had every reason to be joyful and grateful, given the abundance they received.

Why Deuteronomy 28:47 matters

  • This verse clarifies that God is concerned with the inner attitude of His people, not just their actions; joy and gratitude are expected responses to His blessings.
  • Deuteronomy 28:47 connects the people's future hardships to their failure to serve God joyfully, showing that ingratitude can have real consequences.
  • The verse helps explain the broader context of Deuteronomy 28, where blessings and curses are tied not only to obedience, but to the spirit in which the people relate to God.

Where else these words appear

“gladness” Hebrew H2898 · used in 31 verses

  • Genesis 24:10 And the servant took ten camels of the camels of his master, and departed; for all the goods of his master were in his hand: and he arose, and went to Mesopotamia, unto the city of Nahor.
  • Nehemiah 9:36 Behold, we are servants this day, and for the land that thou gavest unto our fathers to eat the fruit thereof and the good thereof, behold, we are servants in it:
  • Proverbs 11:10 When it goeth well with the righteous, the city rejoiceth: and when the wicked perish, there is shouting.

“joyfulness” Hebrew H8057 · used in 89 verses

  • Genesis 31:27 Wherefore didst thou flee away secretly, and steal away from me; and didst not tell me, that I might have sent thee away with mirth, and with songs, with tabret, and with harp?
  • Esther 9:18 But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof, and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness.
  • Ecclesiastes 5:20 For he shall not much remember the days of his life; because God answereth him in the joy of his heart.

“abundance” Hebrew H7230 · used in 149 verses

  • Genesis 16:10 And the angel of the LORD said unto her, I will multiply thy seed exceedingly, that it shall not be numbered for multitude.
  • 2 Chronicles 18:1 Now Jehoshaphat had riches and honour in abundance, and joined affinity with Ahab.
  • Proverbs 13:23 Much food is in the tillage of the poor: but there is that is destroyed for want of judgment.