Deuteronomy 28:58

58. observe to do] See on Deu_28:1.

all the words of this law] Heb. of this Tôrah, see on Deu_1:5, Deu_31:9. In Deu_17:19, Deu_29:29 (28), Deu_31:12, Deu_32:46, with the same, or a similar, formula preceding; also in Deu_27:3; Deu_27:8; Deu_27:26.

that are written in this book] Cp. Deu_28:61, Deu_17:18, Deu_29:20 f., Deu_29:27 (Deu_29:19 f., Deu_29:26), Deu_30:10. The Law, therefore, was already written down. As pointed out in the note on Deu_17:18, such a statement may well have belonged to the original D, discovered in the Temple in 621; but it is not compatible with the other representation, hitherto prevalent, that the exhortations and laws were spoken by Moses, nor with the statement in Deu_31:9, that he wrote the law when this discourse was finished. As Driver says, this v. ‘betrays the fact that Deuteronomy was from the first a written book.’

fear this glorious and fearful name] Cp. Neh_9:5, Psa_72:19, 1Ch_29:13, Isa_63:12. In J, Exo_33:18 God’s glory is parallel to His Name. For fear this name see Mic_6:9 (on one reading), Mal_4:2, Isa_59:19, Psa_61:5 (6). Cp. Lev_24:11. This list (containing as it does Mic_6:9) is not sufficient to prove, as Berth, suggests, a late date for our passage.

58–68. Still Further Development of the Curses

After a fresh statement of the condition on which they will be inflicted, viz. Israel’s disobedience to the law (Deu_28:58), diseases are again threatened with the sore diminution of the people (Deu_28:59-62); and their banishment is predicted and utter despair (Deu_28:63-67). God shall bring them again to Egypt, where when they seek to sell themselves no man shall buy them (Deu_28:68).—In the substance of this section there is nothing incompatible with a pre-exilic date or with the ideas and principles of D. But some of the phraseology may possibly be post-exilic.

The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Deu 28:58 If thou wilt not observe to do all the words of this law that are written in this book, that thou mayest fear this glorious and fearful name, THE LORD THY GOD;

Ver. 58. This glorious and fearful name.] That Nomen maiestativum, as Bernard calleth it. The wiser sort of heathens acknowledged, Augustius esse de Deo sentiendum, quam ut nomen et imaginem eius passim ac temere usurpemus, that higher thoughts must be taken of God, than lightly and profanely to make use of his name, which no man may presume in a sudden unmannerliness to blurt out. {a} When they would swear by their Jupiter, they would break off their oath with a Mα τον, as those that only durst to owe the rest to their thoughts. The Greeks and Romans both worshipped the same Jupiter, but the Romans are therefore better thought of, because they ever thought and spake more reverently of him than the Greeks; as may be seen in Homer and Virgil. The Egyptians so honoured their Mercurius Trismegistus, that they held it not lawful to pronounce his name commonly and rashly. Tat, the son of this Trismegist, flourished in Egypt about the time that Moses wrote his Deuteronomy, as saith Eusebius.

{a} Hinc Pythagoricum illud, εν δακτυλιω Yεον εικονα μη περιφερεια - Suidas.

John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

28:58 The context suggests that all the words of instruction (literally all the words of this torah) refers to the entire book of Deuteronomy, in which lists of blessings and curses were a major part (see 27:3). • If you do not fear the . . . name—i.e., do not fear God himself (see study note on 7:21).

Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

For he that offendeth in one, is guilty of all, James 2:10.

Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain. Text via Bolls.life.

(58, 59) See Note on Deu_25:2-3.

This glorious and fearful name, the Lord thy God.—The first Note of the Decalogue is here referred to, as the great curse of the Law draws to its close. It is no light matter when the Almighty says to any people or to any person, “I am Jehovah thy God.” They who are His must obey Him, love Him, and acknowledge Him. He will not be mocked. Never did He in all history “assay to go and take Him a nation” from the midst of other nations as he took Israel. Hence these tremendous consequences.

Of long continuance.—Eighteen hundred years have they lasted, and seem to be breaking out afresh now (1882) as though they were in full force. “To chastise thee permanently is their mission” (Rashi).

A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

And ye shall be left few in number,.... There were but very few left in the land of Judea by Nebuchadnezzar's general when Jerusalem was taken by him; and these were of the poorer sort, and were left for vinedressers and husbandmen, Jer 39:10; and how much they were reduced by the Romans will appear by the accounts Josephus gives of those that were slain, and made prisoners by them: he says (i),"there were 1,100,000 slain at the siege of Jerusalem and by the war, and 97,000 made prisoners;''and it is computed that 1,240,490 were destroyed in Jerusalem and other parts of the nation (k); and it is also said by their historian (l), that of those that were transported from Jerusalem and other parts of Palestine into Spain, scarce a thousandth part remained and that an infinite number were slain in France and Germany; and though their number equalled those that came out of Egypt, yet scarce five thousand of them were left:

whereas ye were as the stars of heaven for multitude; and, as it is sometimes said, as the sand of the sea, as was promised to Abraham, Gen 15:5; and was fulfilled in the days of Solomon Kg1 4:20,

because thou wouldest not obey the voice of the Lord thy God; in his law, and by his prophets; and especially by the voice of the true Messiah, in his everlasting Gospel; of whom it is said, "today if ye will hear his voice"; &c. Heb 3:7.

(i) De Bello Jud. l. 6. c. 9. sect. 3. (k) See Dr. Newton (Bp. of Bristol) on Prophecies, vol. 1. Dissert. 7. sect. 6. p. 186. (l) Shebet Judah, sect. 49. p. 316.

John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.

Name, i. e. thing or person, to wit, this glorious God. Names are oft put for things, as 1Ki 5:3; Psa 20:1; 95:1; Act 4:12; Eph 1:21; and for persons, as Act 1:15; Rev 3:4.

Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.

58. If thou wilt not observe to do, etc. — Calamity upon calamity, judgment upon judgment. The full measure of the divine indignation will be poured out upon the people. They will be dispossessed of their inheritance and dispersed among the nations.

In this book — This may be understood as referring to all the recorded commandments.

Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

Vers. 58-68. Fifth group. Even these fearful calamities would not be the consummation of their punishment. If they should be obstinate in their rebellion; if they would not observe to do all that the Law delivered by Moses enjoined on them if they ceased to reverence and obey Jehovah, their God; then should come upon them the curse in full measure, and long-continued chastisement should show how grievous had been their sin.

This book. Not the Book of Deuteronomy, which was not then written, but the Book of the Law, the Torah, delivered by Moses to Israel from God; and of which he had been, in his addresses to the people, recapitulating some of the principal points (cf. vers. 60, 61). That thou mayest fear, etc. It was not mere outward observance of the Law, not the mere "doing" of what was enjoined that was required, but the doing of it heartily and sincerely in the fear of the Lord, in the fear of him who had revealed himself to them by the glorious and awful Name, Jehovah, their God. (cf. Lev_24:11)

The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

fear

(See Scofield "Psa 19:9").

The Scofield Reference Bible (1917 edition), notes by C. I. Scofield — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.

General Information:

Moses speaks to the Israelites as if they were one man, so the words "you" and "your" here are singular. (See: Forms of You)

that are written

This can be stated in active form. AT: "that I have written" (See: Active or Passive)

this glorious and fearful name, Yahweh your God

Here the metonym "name" refers to Yahweh himself. AT: "Yahweh your God who is glorious and awesome" (See: Metonymy)

Yahweh will make your plagues terrible, and those of your descendants

"Yahweh will send terrible plagues on you and your descendants" or "Yahweh will make sure that you and your descendants suffer from terrible plagues"

translationWords

word

law

written

honor

glory

fear

plague

descend

unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.