So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye shall be evil toward his brother, and toward the wife of his bosom, and toward the remnant of his children which he shall leave:

DEUTERONOMY 28:54KJV
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Deuteronomy 28:54 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 28:54 mean?

Deuteronomy 28:54 warns that even the most gentle and sensitive man among the Israelites will become so desperate that he will turn against his own family, looking with hostility on his brother, his beloved wife, and the children he has left. This verse is part of a list of severe consequences that will come upon the people if they break their covenant with God.

In this passage, Moses is speaking to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land, describing the curses that will follow disobedience. The verse paints a picture of extreme hardship, where natural affection is replaced by selfishness and cruelty, showing just how devastating the coming troubles will be.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 28:54

  • The word for "man" is אִישׁ (ish), which simply means an adult male, emphasizing that this warning applies to every individual, not just a certain class.
  • "Tender" is רַךְ (rakh), meaning soft or gentle, and "delicate" is עָנֹג (anog), meaning pampered or refined. Together, these words highlight that even those who are usually kind and sensitive will be changed by the severity of the situation.
  • The phrase "his eye shall be evil" uses the word רַע (ra‘, "evil"), which often means hostile or begrudging. Here, it suggests a deep change in attitude, where even close family members become objects of resentment or competition.
  • "Remnant" is יֶתֶר (yeter), meaning what is left over. This underscores the idea that only a few children remain, hinting at previous loss or tragedy.

Why Deuteronomy 28:54 matters

  • This verse clears up the idea that hardship only affects the "hard-hearted"; it shows that even the most gentle people can be driven to desperate actions in extreme circumstances.
  • Deuteronomy 28:54 emphasizes the total reversal of normal family love and loyalty, highlighting just how severe the consequences of disobedience are meant to be.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by showing the personal and relational breakdown that comes with national disaster, not just physical suffering but also the loss of compassion and trust within families.

Where else these words appear

“delicate” Hebrew H6028 · used in 3 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:56 The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, her eye shall be evil toward the husband of her bosom, and toward her son, and toward her daughter,
  • Isaiah 47:1 Come down, and sit in the dust, O virgin daughter of Babylon, sit on the ground: there is no throne, O daughter of the Chaldeans: for thou shalt no more be called tender and delicate.

“tender” Hebrew H7390 · used in 16 verses

  • Genesis 18:7 And Abraham ran unto the herd, and fetcht a calf tender and good, and gave it unto a young man; and he hasted to dress it.
  • 2 Samuel 3:39 And I am this day weak, though anointed king; and these men the sons of Zeruiah be too hard for me: the LORD shall reward the doer of evil according to his wickedness.
  • Proverbs 4:3 For I was my father's son, tender and only beloved in the sight of my mother.

“evil” Hebrew H3415 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 21:11 And the thing was very grievous in Abraham's sight because of his son.
  • 1 Samuel 8:6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD.
  • Nehemiah 2:10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.

“bosom” Hebrew H2436 · used in 34 verses

  • Genesis 16:5 And Sarai said unto Abram, My wrong be upon thee: I have given my maid into thy bosom; and when she saw that she had conceived, I was despised in her eyes: the LORD judge between me and thee.
  • 1 Kings 17:19 And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up into a loft, where he abode, and laid him upon his own bed.
  • Proverbs 21:14 A gift in secret pacifieth anger: and a reward in the bosom strong wrath.