In the morning thou shalt say, Would God it were even! and at even thou shalt say, Would God it were morning! for the fear of thine heart wherewith thou shalt fear, and for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.

DEUTERONOMY 28:67KJV
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Deuteronomy 28:67 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 28:67 mean?

Deuteronomy 28:67 describes a time of such intense fear and distress that people will desperately wish for the day to end when it is morning, and for morning to come when it is evening. The verse shows how overwhelming fear and the terrible things people see will make every part of the day feel unbearable.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the Israelites, warning them about the consequences of turning away from God’s commands. The setting is a list of curses that would come upon the nation if they broke their covenant. The verse paints a vivid picture of anxiety and dread, where fear in the heart and the horrors witnessed with the eyes make life feel hopeless no matter the time of day.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 28:67

  • The word for "morning" is בֹּקֶר (boqer), and "evening" is עָרֶב (ʿerev). The repetition of these words highlights how both the start and end of the day will be filled with longing for escape, showing that the distress is constant.
  • "Fear" is פַּחַד (pachad), meaning a deep terror or dread. This word emphasizes that the feeling is not just worry, but a gripping, paralyzing fear.
  • "Heart" is לֵבָב (levav), which in Hebrew often means the inner self or the seat of emotions and thoughts. The fear is not just external but deeply internalized.
  • "Sight" is מַרְאֶה (mar’eh), and "eyes" is עַיִן (ʿayin), both pointing to the idea that what people see with their own eyes will be so disturbing that it adds to their suffering.

Why Deuteronomy 28:67 matters

  • This verse clears up any idea that the curses are only physical hardships; it shows that emotional and psychological suffering are also part of the consequences.
  • Deuteronomy 28:67 emphasizes the total nature of the distress—there is no relief at any time of day, which underlines the seriousness of the warning.
  • The verse connects to the wider passage by illustrating just how complete and overwhelming the consequences of breaking the covenant would be, helping the reader grasp the gravity of the situation Moses describes.

Where else these words appear

“fear” Hebrew H6342 · used in 25 verses

  • Deuteronomy 28:66 And thy life shall hang in doubt before thee; and thou shalt fear day and night, and shalt have none assurance of thy life:
  • Psalms 119:161 SCHIN. Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word.
  • Isaiah 44:11 Behold, all his fellows shall be ashamed: and the workmen, they are of men: let them all be gathered together, let them stand up; yet they shall fear, and they shall be ashamed together.

“fear” Hebrew H6343 · used in 48 verses

  • Genesis 31:42 Except the God of my father, the God of Abraham, and the fear of Isaac, had been with me, surely thou hadst sent me away now empty. God hath seen mine affliction and the labour of my hands, and rebuked thee yesternight.
  • Job 4:14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.
  • Psalms 119:120 My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments.

“sight” Hebrew H4758 · used in 82 verses

  • Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground made the LORD God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil.
  • Deuteronomy 28:34 So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.
  • Ezekiel 1:28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake.

“even” Hebrew H6153 · used in 130 verses

  • Genesis 1:5 And God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. And the evening and the morning were the first day.
  • Leviticus 15:18 The woman also with whom man shall lie with seed of copulation, they shall both bathe themselves in water, and be unclean until the even.
  • 1 Kings 17:6 And the ravens brought him bread and flesh in the morning, and bread and flesh in the evening; and he drank of the brook.