And he shall besiege thee in all thy gates, until thy high and fenced walls come down, wherein thou trustedst, throughout all thy land: and he shall besiege thee in all thy gates throughout all thy land, which the LORD thy God hath given thee.

DEUTERONOMY 28:52KJV
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Deuteronomy 28:52 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 28:52 mean?

Deuteronomy 28:52 warns that Israel’s enemies will surround and attack all their cities, breaking down even their strongest and most trusted defenses, until every part of the land God gave them is under siege. The verse describes a total loss of security and protection as a consequence for not following God’s covenant.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites, explaining the curses that will come if they turn away from God’s commands. The verse paints a vivid picture of enemy armies laying siege to every city gate and tearing down the high, fortified walls that the people relied on for safety, showing that no place in the land would be safe from attack.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 28:52

  • בָּצֻר (batsur, H1219, "fenced"): This word means "fortified" or "walled up." It emphasizes that even the most secure, well-defended cities would not withstand the siege, highlighting the thoroughness of the coming disaster.
  • שַׁעַר (sha'ar, H8179, "gates"): Gates were the main entry points and centers of city life and defense. The repeated mention of "gates" stresses that every city, not just a few, would be surrounded and threatened.
  • בָּטַח (batach, H982, "trustedst"): This word means "to trust" or "to feel secure." The verse points out that the people’s confidence in their physical defenses would prove empty when facing God’s judgment.
  • נָתַן (natan, H5414, "given"): This is the common word for "give." It reminds the reader that the land under siege was a gift from God, making the loss even more significant.

Why Deuteronomy 28:52 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the curses for disobedience would affect every part of Israel, not just a few cities, showing the seriousness of turning away from God.
  • The focus on "trusted" walls and gates reveals that relying on human strength or defenses is not enough if the people abandon their relationship with God.
  • By connecting the siege to the land "which the LORD thy God hath given thee," the verse highlights the tragedy of losing what was once a promised blessing due to unfaithfulness.

Where else these words appear

“wherein” Hebrew H2004 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 19:29 And it came to pass, when God destroyed the cities of the plain, that God remembered Abraham, and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow, when he overthrew the cities in the which Lot dwelt.
  • Leviticus 11:21 Yet these may ye eat of every flying creeping thing that goeth upon all four, which have legs above their feet, to leap withal upon the earth;
  • Jeremiah 48:9 Give wings unto Moab, that it may flee and get away: for the cities thereof shall be desolate, without any to dwell therein.

“high” Hebrew H1364 · used in 32 verses

  • Genesis 7:19 And the waters prevailed exceedingly upon the earth; and all the high hills, that were under the whole heaven, were covered.
  • Psalms 104:18 The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.
  • Jeremiah 2:20 For of old time I have broken thy yoke, and burst thy bands; and thou saidst, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree thou wanderest, playing the harlot.

“fenced” Hebrew H1219 · used in 38 verses

  • Genesis 11:6 And the LORD said, Behold, the people is one, and they have all one language; and this they begin to do: and now nothing will be restrained from them, which they have imagined to do.
  • 2 Kings 19:25 Hast thou not heard long ago how I have done it, and of ancient times that I have formed it? now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous heaps.
  • Isaiah 36:1 Now it came to pass in the fourteenth year of king Hezekiah, that Sennacherib king of Assyria came up against all the defenced cities of Judah, and took them.

“besiege” Hebrew H6887 · used in 56 verses

  • Exodus 12:34 And the people took their dough before it was leavened, their kneadingtroughs being bound up in their clothes upon their shoulders.
  • 2 Chronicles 28:22 And in the time of his distress did he trespass yet more against the LORD: this is that king Ahaz.
  • Psalms 69:19 Thou hast known my reproach, and my shame, and my dishonour: mine adversaries are all before thee.