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Deuteronomy 28:25 - Exile's terrifying divine consequence.

Deuteronomy 28:25 - דברים 28:25

Hebrew Text

יִתֶּנְךָ יְהוָה נִגָּף לִפְנֵי אֹיְבֶיךָ בְּדֶרֶךְ אֶחָד תֵּצֵא אֵלָיו וּבְשִׁבְעָה דְרָכִים תָּנוּס לְפָנָיו וְהָיִיתָ לְזַעֲוָה לְכֹל מַמְלְכוֹת הָאָרֶץ׃

English Translation

The Lord shall cause thee to be smitten before thy enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth.

Transliteration

Yitenkha Adonai nigaf lifnei oyveikha bederekh echad teitzei eilav uvishivah drachim tanus lefanav vehayita leza'ava lechol mamlekhot ha'aretz.

Hebrew Leining Text

יִתֶּנְךָ֨ יְהֹוָ֥ה <small>׀</small> נִגָּף֮ לִפְנֵ֣י אֹיְבֶ֒יךָ֒ בְּדֶ֤רֶךְ אֶחָד֙ תֵּצֵ֣א אֵלָ֔יו וּבְשִׁבְעָ֥ה דְרָכִ֖ים תָּנ֣וּס לְפָנָ֑יו וְהָיִ֣יתָ לְזַֽעֲוָ֔ה לְכֹ֖ל מַמְלְכ֥וֹת הָאָֽרֶץ׃
יִתֶּנְךָ֨ יְהֹוָ֥ה ׀ נִגָּף֮ לִפְנֵ֣י אֹיְבֶ֒יךָ֒ בְּדֶ֤רֶךְ אֶחָד֙ תֵּצֵ֣א אֵלָ֔יו וּבְשִׁבְעָ֥ה דְרָכִ֖ים תָּנ֣וּס לְפָנָ֑יו וְהָיִ֣יתָ לְזַֽעֲוָ֔ה לְכֹ֖ל מַמְלְכ֥וֹת הָאָֽרֶץ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse appears in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 28:25 as part of the Tochacha (the rebuke), a section detailing the consequences of failing to observe the commandments. The Torah outlines both blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, and this verse describes one of the severe punishments for abandoning the covenant with Hashem.

Explanation of the Verse

The verse describes a scenario where the Jewish people, due to their sins, will suffer defeat at the hands of their enemies. The phrasing emphasizes the severity of the punishment:

  • "The Lord shall cause thee to be smitten before thy enemies" – Rashi explains that this refers to a situation where the Jewish people will be handed over to their enemies as a consequence of their transgressions, indicating divine retribution rather than mere military weakness.
  • "Thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them" – The Sifrei (a halachic Midrash) interprets this as a metaphor for disarray and confusion. When the Jewish people are righteous, they are united and victorious (going out "one way"), but when they sin, they become divided and scattered ("flee seven ways"). The number seven symbolizes multiplicity and chaos.
  • "And shalt be a horror to all the kingdoms of the earth" – The Ramban (Nachmanides) explains that this refers to the disgrace and fear that will accompany exile. The Jewish people, once respected, will become an object of revulsion among the nations when they are punished.

Midrashic Insights

The Midrash Tanchuma elaborates on this verse, stating that the Jewish people’s suffering in exile will be so severe that even other nations will shudder at their downfall. This serves as both a warning and a call to repentance, emphasizing that Hashem’s punishments are meant to correct, not merely to destroy.

Halachic and Ethical Implications

The Sefer HaChinuch (a medieval work on the commandments) connects this verse to the broader principle of reward and punishment. It teaches that national suffering is a direct result of abandoning Torah observance, reinforcing the idea that divine justice governs Jewish history. The verse thus serves as a sobering reminder of the consequences of straying from the covenant.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 28:25 mean?
A: This verse is part of the 'Tochacha' (rebuke) in Deuteronomy, warning of consequences if the Jewish people abandon Torah observance. It describes military defeat where enemies overpower Israel, causing them to flee in disarray. Rashi explains this refers to exile and subjugation when we don't follow Hashem's commandments.
Q: Why does the verse say 'flee seven ways'?
A: The number seven represents completeness in Jewish thought. Ramban explains that 'fleeing seven ways' symbolizes total defeat and dispersion - not just retreating, but being utterly scattered in all directions with no unity or coordinated escape.
Q: What does 'a horror to all kingdoms' mean?
A: The Talmud (Megillah 29a) interprets this as referring to the Jewish people in exile - when we are scattered among nations, our suffering and vulnerable state serves as a shocking lesson about the consequences of straying from Torah values.
Q: Is this verse still relevant today?
A: Yes. The Sages teach that these warnings apply in every generation when Jewish observance declines. However, the verse also implies hope - just as the curses are conditional on our actions, so too can we reverse them through repentance and returning to Torah observance (Rambam, Hilchos Teshuvah 7:5).
Q: How should we understand G-d causing defeat before enemies?
A: Jewish tradition explains this as middah k'neged middah (measure for measure) - when we distance ourselves from Hashem, He removes His protection. The Midrash (Sifrei) notes this isn't arbitrary punishment, but the natural consequence of abandoning our covenant relationship with G-d.