What does Deuteronomy 28:35 mean?
"The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head." - Deuteronomy 28:35
Deuteronomy 28:35 in the King James Version of the Bible reads: "The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head."
This verse comes from the book of Deuteronomy, which is the fifth book of the Old Testament. It is part of a larger section known as the "Blessings and Curses" where Moses, the leader of the Israelites, is reminding the people of the covenant they made with God and warning them of the consequences of disobeying it.
The verse speaks of a specific punishment that the Israelites would face if they chose to turn away from God and live in disobedience to His commandments. The language is vivid and striking, describing a physical affliction that would encompass their entire bodies, leaving them in a state of constant and unhealable pain. This punishment is presented as a direct consequence of their disobedience and serves as a warning of the severity of God's judgment.
One of the main themes of this verse is the concept of divine retribution. Throughout the Old Testament, the Israelites are repeatedly reminded of the blessings and curses that come with following or disobeying God's commandments. In this particular verse, the punishment described is not just a physical affliction, but a symbol of the spiritual and emotional suffering that comes with turning away from God. It serves as a warning that choosing to live in disobedience will ultimately lead to ruin and despair.
Furthermore, the context of this verse is important to fully understand its significance. At this point in the book of Deuteronomy, the Israelites are standing on the brink of entering the Promised Land after years of wandering in the wilderness. Moses is addressing them before they cross over the Jordan River, and his words carry a sense of urgency and importance. He is reminding them of the covenant they made with God at Mount Sinai and the consequences of breaking that covenant. The verse serves as a sobering reminder of the gravity of their choices and the importance of remaining faithful to God.
Symbolically, the punishment described in this verse can be seen as a representation of the consequences of sin. The "sore botch that cannot be healed" from head to foot symbolizes the all-encompassing nature of the suffering that comes with spiritual disobedience. It conveys the idea that turning away from God's will leads to a state of complete brokenness and hopelessness.
Overall, Deuteronomy 28:35 is a powerful and sobering reminder of the consequences of disobedience to God. It serves as a warning to the Israelites and to all readers of the Bible about the seriousness of their relationship with God and the importance of remaining faithful to His commandments. It also highlights the theme of divine retribution and the all-encompassing nature of the suffering that comes with turning away from God. It is a verse that calls for reflection and introspection, urging readers to consider the choices they make and the impact those choices have on their spiritual well-being.
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Deuteronomy 28:35 - "The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head."
"The LORD shall smite thee in the knees, and in the legs, with a sore botch that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head." - Deuteronomy 28:35
Deuteronomy 28:28 - "The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart:"
Genesis 35:28 - "And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years."
Exodus 35:28 - "And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense."
Deuteronomy 2:35 - "Only the cattle we took for a prey unto ourselves, and the spoil of the cities which we took."
Psalms 35:28 - "And my tongue shall speak of thy righteousness and of thy praise all the day long."
Deuteronomy 28:5 - "Blessed shall be thy basket and thy store."
Deuteronomy 28:17 - "Cursed shall be thy basket and thy store."
Deuteronomy 4:35 - "Unto thee it was shewed, that thou mightest know that the LORD he is God; there is none else beside him."
Deuteronomy 32:28 - "For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them."
"The LORD shall smite thee with madness, and blindness, and astonishment of heart:" - Deuteronomy 28:28
Deuteronomy 28:16 - "Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field."
Deuteronomy 28:3 - "Blessed shalt thou be in the city, and blessed shalt thou be in the field."
"And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore years." - Genesis 35:28
Deuteronomy 1:35 - "Surely there shall not one of these men of this evil generation see that good land, which I sware to give unto your fathers,"
Deuteronomy 28:42 - "All thy trees and fruit of thy land shall the locust consume."
Deuteronomy 28:46 - "And they shall be upon thee for a sign and for a wonder, and upon thy seed for ever."
"And spice, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense." - Exodus 35:28
Deuteronomy 32:35 - "To me belongeth vengeance, and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste."
Deuteronomy 28:34 - "So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see."
Deuteronomy 22:28 - "¶ If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found;"
Deuteronomy 28:27 - "The LORD will smite thee with the botch of Egypt, and with the emerods, and with the scab, and with the itch, whereof thou canst not be healed."
Deuteronomy 28:23 - "And thy heaven that is over thy head shall be brass, and the earth that is under thee shall be iron."
Deuteronomy 28:41 - "Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity."
Deuteronomy 28:47 - "Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things;"
Deuteronomy 28:50 - "A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young:"
Deuteronomy 28:19 - "Cursed shalt thou be when thou comest in, and cursed shalt thou be when thou goest out."
Deuteronomy 28:10 - "And all people of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of the LORD; and they shall be afraid of thee."
Deuteronomy 28:38 - "Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it."