Deuteronomy 28:60
And he will bring upon you again all the diseases of Egypt, of which you were afraid, and they shall cling to you.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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The verse highlights that these aren't just any illnesses, but specifically "all the diseases of Egypt, of which you were afraid." This isn't about general sickness, but a potent reminder of the very plagues God used to judge Egypt and liberate Israel, bringing the past judgments into the present consequence of disobedience. The phrase "they shall cling to you" further emphasizes that these afflictions won't be passing inconveniences but persistent, deeply embedded burdens.
This verse appears in the midst of a lengthy section detailing the severe curses that will befall the Israelites if they disobey God's covenant. It follows a description of various punishments, including pestilence, consumption, fevers, and wars, emphasizing the consequences of turning away from God. The curses culminate in total destruction and exile, making this specific mention of Egyptian diseases a chilling reminder of past bondage and God's power to inflict judgment.
Have you ever been terrified of a disease, fearing it might strike you or your loved ones? Imagine God bringing that same fear back.
In Deuteronomy 28:60, God reminds Israel that their disobedience won't just bring new troubles, but will resurrect their deepest fears. "All the diseases of Egypt, which you were afraid of" is a powerful statement.
A Nation's Trauma
During their enslavement in Egypt, the Israelites witnessed and experienced the devastating plagues God sent upon their oppressors. These weren't just abstract events; they were terrifying realities that instilled a deep-seated fear. By referencing these specific diseases, God taps into that collective trauma.
A Reminder of Power
This wasn't just about sickness; it was a reminder of God's power to both judge and protect. He had delivered them from these very plagues. Now, by threatening to bring them back, He emphasizes the severity of their sin and the consequences of turning away from Him.
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What's worse than a sickness? One that won't let go. That's the picture God paints for His disobedient people.
The phrase "and they shall cleave unto thee" (or "cling to you") is deeply unsettling. It speaks of an inescapable, persistent affliction.
More Than Just Illness
This isn't merely about physical sickness; it signifies a spiritual and national decay that becomes ingrained. When Israel turns its back on God, the consequences aren't temporary setbacks but deep-seated problems that become part of their identity and national experience. They become so entangled with sin and its effects that escape feels impossible.
The Inescapable Consequence
God is showing them that the covenant blessings were conditional. Just as His presence brought health and prosperity, His withdrawal in judgment would bring persistent suffering. These 'clinging diseases' represent the deep, lasting damage sin inflicts on individuals, communities, and nations when they reject God's grace and protection.
The mention of 'diseases of Egypt' evokes a powerful memory for the Israelites. Having witnessed and experienced the plagues God brought upon Egypt during the Exodus, they were acutely aware of these afflictions and lived in fear of them. Deuteronomy 28 vividly reminds them that disobedience would bring back not only those terrifying plagues but also other severe illnesses, making them cleave to the people as a constant reminder of their covenant unfaithfulness.
c. 1550-1070 BC
New Kingdom of Egypt
This period saw Egypt as a major power, influencing surrounding regions and experiencing its own internal developments and diseases.
c. 1446 BC— this verse
The Exodus from Egypt
The Israelites depart from Egypt after a series of plagues, carrying with them the memory of the diseases that afflicted the Egyptians and their fear of them.
c. 1406 BC
Conquest of Canaan
Following their wilderness wanderings, the Israelites enter and conquer the Promised Land, establishing their presence there.
c. 1000 BC
United Monarchy of Israel
The period of Kings Saul, David, and Solomon, a time of relative peace and prosperity before the kingdom splits.
931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
The united monarchy splits into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah after Solomon's death.
722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, scattering its people.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonian Empire conquers Judah, destroys Jerusalem and the Temple, and exiles many of its people.
This passage highlights God's promise of health and healing for Israel if they obey Him, directly contrasting with the curses in Deuteronomy where disobedience leads to sickness.
Leviticus 26:16This verse speaks of God sending 'panic, and fever, and consuming sickness' as a consequence of disobedience, echoing the severe physical afflictions described in Deuteronomy.
Ezekiel 7:9This prophetic passage declares 'my eye will not spare, nor will I have pity; I will bring upon you your deeds and your abominations, and you shall know that I am the Lord who strikes,' directly linking sin with God's retributive smiting, similar to the 'cleaving diseases' in Deuteronomy.
2 Chronicles 21:14-15This historical account details God sending 'a great pestilence' and 'grievous diseases' upon an unrepentant king and his people, illustrating the devastating and persistent nature of divine judgments on disobedience.
calvinDeuteronomy 28:15-68: "But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:"
- But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes, which I command thee this day, that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake th…
gillDeuteronomy 28:60: "Moreover he will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee."
Moreover, he will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt,.... All that in a way of judgment were brought upon the Egyptians for refusing to let Israel go; or all such diseases as were peculiar to them, and common among them, as the leprosy, the itch, ulcers, &c. which thou wast afraid of; when living among them, lest they should catch them of them, or t…
The verse highlights that these aren't just any illnesses, but specifically "all the diseases of Egypt, of which you were afraid." This isn't about general sickness, but a potent reminder of the very plagues God used to judge Egypt and liberate Israel, bringing the past judgments into the present consequence of disobedience. The phrase "they shall cling to you" further emphasizes that these afflictions won't be passing inconveniences but persistent, deeply embedded burdens.
This verse appears in the midst of a lengthy section detailing the severe curses that will befall the Israelites if they disobey God's covenant. It follows a description of various punishments, including pestilence, consumption, fevers, and wars, emphasizing the consequences of turning away from God. The curses culminate in total destruction and exile, making this specific mention of Egyptian diseases a chilling reminder of past bondage and God's power to inflict judgment.
This verse appears in the midst of a lengthy section detailing the severe curses that will befall the Israelites if they disobey God's covenant. It follows a description of various punishments, including pestilence, consumption, fevers, and wars, emphasizing the consequences of turning away from God. The curses culminate in total destruction and exile, making this specific mention of Egyptian diseases a chilling reminder of past bondage and God's power to inflict judgment.
"And he will bring upon you again all the diseases of Egypt, of which you were afraid, and they shall cling to you." — The verse highlights that these aren't just any illnesses, but specifically "all the diseases of Egypt, of which you were afraid." This isn't about general sickness, but a potent reminder of the very…
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