Revision #16315
Deuteronomy 28:13–15
Localized for English-speaking readers
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Context
- Deuteronomy is presented as a sermon in which Moses, on the plains of Moab before Israel entered Canaan, expounded the law to the people once again. Chapter 28 forms the conclusion of this sermon, setting side by side the blessings that would follow from keeping the covenant between God and Israel (vv. 1–14) and the curses that would follow from breaking it (vv. 15–68).
+ The book of Deuteronomy is presented as a sermon by Moses. On the plains of Moab, before Israel entered Canaan, he expounded the law to the people once again. Chapter 28 is the conclusion of this sermon. It sets two lists side by side: the blessings that follow from keeping the covenant between God and Israel (vv. 1–14) and the curses that follow from breaking it (vv. 15–68).
=
- Verses 13–14 conclude the section on blessings. The promise that the LORD will make Israel "the head, and not the tail" is joined to a condition: that Israel not "go after other gods to serve them." Verse 15, by contrast, opens the section on curses, declaring that if Israel disobeys, "all these curses" shall come upon it. In verses 43–44 of the curse section, this promise is reversed: the stranger living among Israel "shall be the head," and Israel "shall be the tail." Scholars sometimes explain this pairing of blessings and curses by comparison with ancient Near Eastern treaty texts.
+ Verses 13–14 close the section on blessings. The promise that "the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail" carries a condition: Israel must not "go after other gods to serve them." Verse 15 then opens the section on curses. It declares that if Israel disobeys, "all these curses shall come upon thee." Later in the curse section, verses 43–44 reverse the promise. The stranger living among Israel "shall be the head," and Israel "shall be the tail." Some scholars compare this pairing of blessings and curses with ancient Near Eastern treaty texts.
=
= ## Interpretation
- - **Covenant and Reformed readings**: The covenant theology and Reformed traditions regard this promise as given to the nation of Israel under the Sinai covenant. They hold that Christians must read it in light of Galatians 3:13, which teaches that Christ bore "the curse of the law" on their behalf.
- - **Readings that distinguish law and gospel**: The Lutheran tradition and others that distinguish law and gospel explain the passage's demand for complete obedience as a function of the law: it reveals that human beings cannot attain such obedience on their own and directs them toward grace.
- - **Dispensationalist readings**: Dispensationalist interpretation tends to treat these blessings and curses as promises specifically concerning the history and future restoration of national Israel.
- - **Readings in blessing-oriented preaching**: Preachers in many churches, including Pentecostal and charismatic churches, apply the passage to believers today as a promise of prosperity and leadership conditional on obedience.
- - **Historical-critical readings**: Historical-critical scholars view the chapter as an expression of the retributive thought of Deuteronomic theology and sometimes relate it to Israel's experience of the exile.
+ - **Covenant and Reformed readings**: The covenant theology and Reformed traditions see this promise as given to the nation of Israel under the Sinai covenant. They hold that Christians should read it in light of Galatians 3:13, which says that Christ bore "the curse of the law" in their place.
+ - **Law-and-gospel readings**: The Lutheran tradition and others that distinguish law and gospel treat the passage's demand for complete obedience as a function of the law. In this view, the demand shows that human beings cannot achieve such obedience by themselves and points them toward grace.
+ - **Dispensationalist readings**: Dispensationalist interpreters tend to read these blessings and curses as promises about the history and future restoration of national Israel.
+ - **Blessing-oriented preaching**: Preachers in many churches, including Pentecostal and charismatic churches, apply the passage to believers today. They present it as a promise of prosperity and leadership that follows from obedience.
+ - **Historical-critical readings**: Historical-critical scholars see the chapter as an expression of the retributive thought of Deuteronomic theology. Some connect it with Israel's experience of the exile.
=
= ## Controversies and Issues
- Critics in a number of denominations object to quoting the first part of verse 13 in isolation, as though it were a promise guaranteeing personal success, arguing that it must be read together with the condition that immediately follows (vv. 13b–14) and the curses beginning in verse 15. This criticism is also connected to discussions of prosperity theology. The list of curses from verse 15 onward has also been used as a basis for the doctrine of generational curses. Those who reject that view appeal to passages such as Galatians 3 and Ezekiel 18.
+ Some quote only the first part of verse 13, as if it guaranteed personal success. Critics in several denominations object to this practice. They argue that the verse must be read with the condition that follows it (vv. 13b–14) and with the curses that begin in verse 15. This criticism also connects to debates about prosperity theology. The list of curses from verse 15 onward has also been used to support the doctrine of generational curses. Opponents of that doctrine point to passages such as Galatians 3 and Ezekiel 18.
=
= ## In the Korean Church
- The expression "the head, and not the tail" is reportedly used often in sermons, prayers of blessing, and New Year's Scripture cards. The New Korean Revised Version retains the same expression.
+ In Korean churches, the phrase "the head, and not the tail" is reportedly common in sermons, prayers of blessing, and New Year's Scripture cards. The New Korean Revised Version uses the same wording.
=
= ## Related Passages
…
A transitional passage in Deuteronomy 28 in which Moses declares to Israel that obedience to the law will bring the blessing of being "the head, and not the tail," while disobedience will bring curses. It is frequently quoted in Korean churches as a word of blessing, but it has also been criticized as being cited apart from its conditions and context.
Deuteronomy 28:13–15 is the transitional passage in Deuteronomy 28 where Moses declares that Israel's obedience to the law will make it "the head, and not the tail," and that disobedience will bring curses. In Korean churches it is often quoted as a word of blessing, and some critics say this use cuts the promise off from its conditions and context.
Full revision
Deuteronomy 28:13–15 is the transitional passage in Deuteronomy 28 where Moses declares that Israel's obedience to the law will make it "the head, and not the tail," and that disobedience will bring curses. In Korean churches it is often quoted as a word of blessing, and some critics say this use cuts the promise off from its conditions and context.
Context
The book of Deuteronomy is presented as a sermon by Moses. On the plains of Moab, before Israel entered Canaan, he expounded the law to the people once again. Chapter 28 is the conclusion of this sermon. It sets two lists side by side: the blessings that follow from keeping the covenant between God and Israel (vv. 1–14) and the curses that follow from breaking it (vv. 15–68).
Verses 13–14 close the section on blessings. The promise that "the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail" carries a condition: Israel must not "go after other gods to serve them." Verse 15 then opens the section on curses. It declares that if Israel disobeys, "all these curses shall come upon thee." Later in the curse section, verses 43–44 reverse the promise. The stranger living among Israel "shall be the head," and Israel "shall be the tail." Some scholars compare this pairing of blessings and curses with ancient Near Eastern treaty texts.
Interpretation
- Covenant and Reformed readings: The covenant theology and Reformed traditions see this promise as given to the nation of Israel under the Sinai covenant. They hold that Christians should read it in light of Galatians 3:13, which says that Christ bore "the curse of the law" in their place.
- Law-and-gospel readings: The Lutheran tradition and others that distinguish law and gospel treat the passage's demand for complete obedience as a function of the law. In this view, the demand shows that human beings cannot achieve such obedience by themselves and points them toward grace.
- Dispensationalist readings: Dispensationalist interpreters tend to read these blessings and curses as promises about the history and future restoration of national Israel.
- Blessing-oriented preaching: Preachers in many churches, including Pentecostal and charismatic churches, apply the passage to believers today. They present it as a promise of prosperity and leadership that follows from obedience.
- Historical-critical readings: Historical-critical scholars see the chapter as an expression of the retributive thought of Deuteronomic theology. Some connect it with Israel's experience of the exile.
Controversies and Issues
Some quote only the first part of verse 13, as if it guaranteed personal success. Critics in several denominations object to this practice. They argue that the verse must be read with the condition that follows it (vv. 13b–14) and with the curses that begin in verse 15. This criticism also connects to debates about prosperity theology. The list of curses from verse 15 onward has also been used to support the doctrine of generational curses. Opponents of that doctrine point to passages such as Galatians 3 and Ezekiel 18.
In the Korean Church
In Korean churches, the phrase "the head, and not the tail" is reportedly common in sermons, prayers of blessing, and New Year's Scripture cards. The New Korean Revised Version uses the same wording.
Related Passages