Deuteronomy 28:62
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It's easy to focus on the sheer devastation implied by going from "stars of heaven" to "few in number." But the verse zeroes in on the reason for this stark reversal: the absolute, non-negotiable choice to disobey God's voice. This isn't just about consequences; it's about the profound disconnect that happens when a people turns away from the very One who gave them life and multitude.
Whereas you were as numerous as the stars of heaven, you shall be left few in number, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse is part of a lengthy section of curses that follows a conditional promise of blessings. Moses is laying out the consequences of Israel's disobedience, detailing severe punishments that will befall them if they break the covenant with God. This specific verse speaks to a catastrophic reduction in their population, contrasting their former vast numbers with a future scarcity, directly linked to their failure to listen to God's commands.
Imagine going from being countless as the stars to a mere handful. This verse paints a vivid picture of what happens when obedience is abandoned.
Deuteronomy 28:62 presents a dramatic contrast between Israel's past and future. They were promised to be as numerous as the stars of heaven, a testament to God's blessing and faithfulness (Genesis 15:5). This was not just about numbers; it represented God's favor, security, and the fulfillment of His covenant promises.
However, the verse starkly pivots to the consequence of disobedience: 'you shall be left few in number.' This isn't a gentle decline, but a severe reduction, signifying a loss of God's presence, protection, and blessing. The immense multitude, once a sign of divine favor, becomes a memory, replaced by a scattered and diminished remnant. This transformation underscores that national identity and prosperity were directly tied to their covenant relationship with God.
Why would God bring such a devastating consequence? The verse leaves no room for doubt about the singular cause.
The core of the curse in Deuteronomy 28:62 is pinpointed with absolute clarity: 'because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God.' This isn't about a lack of opportunity or understanding, but a willful refusal to listen and act according to God's commands.
Calvin emphasizes that God 'redoubles His threatenings' when people are 'sluggish' and 'forgetful.' The repeated emphasis throughout Deuteronomy on obedience is met here with an equally stark consequence for disobedience. This principle extends beyond ancient Israel: our relationship with God and the blessings we experience are profoundly shaped by our willingness to align our lives with His revealed will. The 'voice of the LORD' isn't just a set of rules, but the very communication of the covenant Lord who desires relationship and faithfulness.
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Understand the original words
shama · Hebrew Verb
To hear, listen to, or heed with the intent of submission and action; implies a covenant relationship between the speaker and the listener.
This verse directly addresses the catastrophic consequences of disobedience, vividly illustrated by the Babylonian exile and destruction of Jerusalem. It highlights the stark contrast between God's promise of abundant blessing and the devastating reality of judgment when His people turn away from Him.
c. 722 BC
Fall of the Northern Kingdom of Israel
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, exiling a significant portion of its population and scattering them among their empire.
605 BC
First Deportation to Babylon
Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon begins deporting Judeans, including members of the royal family and educated elite, to Babylon.
597 BC
Second Deportation to Babylon
Another wave of exiles, including the prophet Ezekiel, are taken to Babylon following a revolt by Judah's king.
587/586 BC— this verse
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
Nebuchadnezzar utterly destroys Jerusalem and its temple, exiling most of the remaining population to Babylon.
c. 539 BC
Persian Conquest of Babylon
Cyrus the Great conquers Babylon, allowing the Jewish exiles to begin returning to Judah.
AD 70
Destruction of Jerusalem by Rome
The Roman Empire, under Titus, destroys Jerusalem and its Second Temple, leading to a massive loss of life and further diaspora.
This passage contrasts the promise of Abraham's descendants being as numerous as the stars with the consequence of disobedience in Deuteronomy 28, highlighting the gravity of losing such a divine blessing.
Jeremiah 5:15This prophetic passage describes a foreign nation with an unintelligible language coming against Israel, echoing the theme of divine judgment and scattering found in Deuteronomy 28.
Nehemiah 9:23This prayer recounts God's faithfulness in multiplying Israel like the stars of heaven, serving as a direct counterpoint to the judgment of being reduced to few in number due to disobedience.
Hosea 1:10This prophecy speaks of the children of Israel becoming as numerous as the sand of the sea, a promise that starkly contrasts with the judgment of becoming 'few in number' in Deuteronomy 28 for their disobedience.
Luke 21:24This New Testament passage foretells that Jerusalem will be trampled by nations until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled, reflecting the scattering and reduction in number described in Deuteronomy 28 as a consequence of 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…
cambridgeDeuteronomy 28:62: "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."
62, 63 . The only vv . in this ch. (except Deuteronomy 28:68 b ) in which the Pl. address occurs. The text, including the change to Sg. in the final clauses of both vv ., is on the whole confirmed by LXX. Sam., some LXX codd. and Luc. give Deuteronomy 28:62 b in Pl. The change to Pl. is explicable logically in Deuteronomy 28…
It's easy to focus on the sheer devastation implied by going from "stars of heaven" to "few in number." But the verse zeroes in on the reason for this stark reversal: the absolute, non-negotiable choice to disobey God's voice. This isn't just about consequences; it's about the profound disconnect that happens when a people turns away from the very One who gave them life and multitude.
This verse is part of a lengthy section of curses that follows a conditional promise of blessings. Moses is laying out the consequences of Israel's disobedience, detailing severe punishments that will befall them if they break the covenant with God. This specific verse speaks to a catastrophic reduction in their population, contrasting their former vast numbers with a future scarcity, directly linked to their failure to listen to God's commands.
This verse is part of a lengthy section of curses that follows a conditional promise of blessings. Moses is laying out the consequences of Israel's disobedience, detailing severe punishments that will befall them if they break the covenant with God. This specific verse speaks to a catastrophic reduction in their population, contrasting their former vast numbers with a future scarcity, directly linked to their failure to listen to God's commands.
"Whereas you were as numerous as the stars of heaven, you shall be left few in number, because you did not obey the voice of the LORD your God." — It's easy to focus on the sheer devastation implied by going from "stars of heaven" to "few in number." But the verse zeroes in on the reason for this stark reversal: the absolute, non-negotiable c…
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Last reviewed October 2026
