And ye shall be left few in number, whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the LORD thy God.
DEUTERONOMY 28:62KJVWhat does Deuteronomy 28:62 mean?
Deuteronomy 28:62 warns that the people of Israel, once as numerous as the stars in the sky, will become very few in number because they did not listen to or obey the voice of the LORD their God. The verse describes a dramatic reversal from abundance to scarcity as a direct result of disobedience.
In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the land of Canaan. He is explaining the consequences that will come if they turn away from God’s commands. The verse uses the image of the stars of heaven to remind them of God’s earlier promise to make them a great nation, highlighting how their numbers will shrink if they do not remain faithful.
The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 28:62
- "left" (שָׁאַר, sha'ar): This word means to remain or be left over. Here, it emphasizes that only a small remnant of the people will survive.
- "few" (מְעַט, me'at): This word means small or few in number. The contrast with the earlier promise of being as numerous as the stars makes the warning especially stark.
- "obey" (שָׁמַע, shama'): This word often means to listen or hear, but it also carries the sense of responding or acting on what is heard. The focus is not just on hearing God’s voice, but on responding with faithful action.
Why Deuteronomy 28:62 matters
- The verse clarifies that the reduction in Israel’s numbers is not random but directly tied to their response to God’s voice, underlining the seriousness of obedience.
- The contrast between being as many as the stars and then becoming few highlights how blessings and consequences are both connected to the people’s relationship with God.
- This verse fits into a larger section where Moses lists blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, showing the importance of choice and responsibility in the covenant relationship.