Deuteronomy 28:18 - The fruit of your body, the fruit of your ground, the increase of your livestock, and the young of your flock will be cursed.

Generated Verse: Deuteronomy 28:18

What does "Deuteronomy 28:18" mean?


This verse from Deuteronomy 28:18 is part of a larger section (Deuteronomy 28:15-68) detailing the curses that will befall the Israelites if they disobey God's commandments. This specific verse speaks of economic and agricultural ruin. Let's break it down:

"The fruit of your body..." This refers to barrenness or difficulty conceiving and bearing children. It speaks to a lack of future generations and a disruption of the family line.

"...the fruit of your ground..." This indicates crop failure, famine, and lack of agricultural prosperity. The land will not yield its bounty, leading to scarcity and hunger.

"...the increase of your livestock..." This signifies that the herds will not multiply. Animals will die, birth rates will be low, and the overall wealth derived from livestock will diminish.

"...and the young of your flock will be cursed." Similar to the livestock, the flocks (sheep and goats) will suffer. They will not produce healthy offspring, leading to a decline in their numbers and value.

In essence, this verse is a pronouncement of economic and agricultural devastation. It suggests that disobedience to God will result in:

Famine and poverty: Due to crop failure and livestock decline.
Decline in population: Due to barrenness and the inability to sustain a healthy community.
Loss of prosperity: The sources of wealth and sustenance will be diminished.

The verse paints a picture of a society struggling to survive, facing hardship in all aspects of life related to fertility, agriculture, and animal husbandry. It served as a warning to the Israelites to remain faithful to their covenant with God or face dire consequences.