Deuteronomy 28:60
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The verse highlights that these aren't just random illnesses, but specifically the "diseases of Egypt" – the very ailments they witnessed and feared while enslaved. This emphasizes that their future suffering will be a direct, terrifying echo of their past trauma, meant to instill a profound dread and a recognition of divine justice. The phrase "cleave unto thee" suggests an inescapable, persistent affliction, a grim consequence designed to cling to them.
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)
This passage continues Moses' dire pronouncement of curses that will befall Israel if they disobey God's commands. Following a long list of calamities, including drought, famine, defeat by enemies, and social collapse, this verse specifically recalls the terrifying plagues Egypt suffered. These diseases, once a source of dread for the Israelites as they witnessed God's judgment on their oppressors, are now promised to cling to them as a consequence of their own rebellion.
Imagine the dread of the plagues that afflicted Egypt. Now, imagine those very same afflictions returning, not as a foreign threat, but as a consequence of your own choices.
This verse powerfully recalls the plagues God sent upon Egypt to free His people. But here, these are not external judgments on a foreign nation; they are the consequences of Israel's disobedience.
A Bitter Memory,
A Dire Warning The diseases of Egypt, like the boils, the pestilence, and the skin diseases mentioned in Exodus, were terrifying. For Israel, having witnessed God's power through these plagues to deliver them, the memory would have been vivid. Now, God warns that if they disobey, these same terrifying afflictions will return. This isn't random misfortune; it's a judicial consequence, a direct result of turning away from the One who healed and protected them.
The Clinging Nature of Sin
The phrase 'they shall cleave unto thee' speaks to the persistent, inescapable nature of these curses. When sin takes root, its consequences don't just pass by; they can become deeply ingrained, difficult to shake off. This highlights the seriousness of covenant disobedience – the blessings promised become curses that cling.
God's promises were tied to obedience. What happens when the very blessings He offered become the tools of His judgment?
Deuteronomy 28 lays out a stark conditional covenant. The blessings were incredible, meant to set Israel apart and demonstrate God's favor. But the flip side was equally profound: disobedience would result in curses that would undo all the good.
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The Source of Healing Becomes the Source of Affliction
As Ellicott notes, the same God who is 'Jehovah-Ropheka' (the Lord who heals) can also be 'Jehovah-Makkeh' (the Lord who strikes). This verse underscores that the God of Israel is not distant from the suffering of His people. When they turn from Him, the divine power that once protected and healed them can become the very force that afflicts them.
A Reminder of Divine Authority
Bringing back the 'diseases of Egypt' serves as a potent reminder. These weren't random occurrences; they were God's direct actions against Pharaoh and his gods. By reintroducing them as curses, God is asserting His ultimate authority over all powers and afflictions, emphasizing that He alone controls their presence and absence in the lives of His people.
This verse powerfully recalls the plagues God sent upon Egypt, reminding the Israelites that their future suffering would be a direct consequence of their disobedience, echoing their past fears and bringing them upon themselves.
~1446 BC
Israel's Exodus from Egypt
God delivers the Israelites from slavery in Egypt with mighty acts, including plagues upon the Egyptians. The Israelites witness these diseases and fear them.
~1446-1406 BC
Wanderings in the Wilderness
The Israelites journey through the wilderness after their exodus. During this period, they face various challenges and are warned by Moses about future consequences of disobedience.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Moses' Final Address
Moses delivers his final speeches to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land, reiterating the covenant, blessings for obedience, and severe curses for disobedience as recorded in Deuteronomy.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, leading to the exile of its inhabitants. This event serves as a partial fulfillment of the curses.
586 BC
Fall of Jerusalem and Babylonian Exile
The Babylonians conquer the Southern Kingdom of Judah, destroy Jerusalem and the Temple, and exile the people. This event marks a major fulfillment of the curses described.
This passage highlights God's promise to protect Israel from the diseases of Egypt if they obey Him, directly contrasting with the curses in Deuteronomy that result from disobedience.
Leviticus 26:16This verse describes sickness and pestilence as consequences of disobedience, reinforcing the theme of divine judgment through disease found in Deuteronomy 28.
Ezekiel 7:9Ezekiel echoes the idea that God will bring devastating plagues, including diseases, as a direct consequence of sin, mirroring the dire warnings in Deuteronomy.
Luke 21:24This New Testament passage speaks of Jerusalem being trampled by nations and falling by the edge of the sword, a fulfillment of the curses in Deuteronomy that included invasion and destruction, which often brought disease.
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 random illnesses, but specifically the "diseases of Egypt" – the very ailments they witnessed and feared while enslaved. This emphasizes that their future suffering will be a direct, terrifying echo of their past trauma, meant to instill a profound dread and a recognition of divine justice. The phrase "cleave unto thee" suggests an inescapable, persistent affliction, a grim consequence designed to cling to them.
This passage continues Moses' dire pronouncement of curses that will befall Israel if they disobey God's commands. Following a long list of calamities, including drought, famine, defeat by enemies, and social collapse, this verse specifically recalls the terrifying plagues Egypt suffered. These diseases, once a source of dread for the Israelites as they witnessed God's judgment on their oppressors, are now promised to cling to them as a consequence of their own rebellion.
This passage continues Moses' dire pronouncement of curses that will befall Israel if they disobey God's commands. Following a long list of calamities, including drought, famine, defeat by enemies, and social collapse, this verse specifically recalls the terrifying plagues Egypt suffered. These diseases, once a source of dread for the Israelites as they witnessed God's judgment on their oppressors, are now promised to cling to them as a consequence of their own rebellion.
"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 random illnesses, but specifically the "diseases of Egypt" – the very ailments they witnessed and feared while enslaved. This emphasizes that their future…
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Last reviewed October 2026
