share torah logo

Deuteronomy 28:59 - Divine punishment for disobedience?

Deuteronomy 28:59 - דברים 28:59

Hebrew Text

וְהִפְלָא יְהוָה אֶת־מַכֹּתְךָ וְאֵת מַכּוֹת זַרְעֶךָ מַכּוֹת גְּדֹלוֹת וְנֶאֱמָנוֹת וָחֳלָיִם רָעִים וְנֶאֱמָנִים׃

English Translation

then the Lord will make thy plagues remarkable, and the plagues of thy offspring, even great plagues, and of long continuance, and severe sicknesses, and of long continuance.

Transliteration

Vehifla Adonai et-makotekha ve'et makot zar'ekha makot gedolot vene'emanot vacholayim ra'im vene'emanim.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְהִפְלָ֤א יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־מַכֹּ֣תְךָ֔ וְאֵ֖ת מַכּ֣וֹת זַרְעֶ֑ךָ מַכּ֤וֹת גְּדֹלֹת֙ וְנֶ֣אֱמָנ֔וֹת וׇחֳלָיִ֖ם רָעִ֥ים וְנֶאֱמָנִֽים׃
וְהִפְלָ֤א יְהֹוָה֙ אֶת־מַכֹּ֣תְךָ֔ וְאֵ֖ת מַכּ֣וֹת זַרְעֶ֑ךָ מַכּ֤וֹת גְּדֹלֹת֙ וְנֶ֣אֱמָנ֔וֹת וׇחֳלָיִ֖ם רָעִ֥ים וְנֶאֱמָנִֽים׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in the Torah

This verse appears in Devarim (Deuteronomy) 28:59 as part of the Tochacha (Admonition), where Moshe warns Bnei Yisrael of the severe consequences of abandoning the covenant with Hashem. The plagues mentioned here are framed as divine retribution for failing to observe the mitzvot.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi interprets "והפלא ה' את־מכתך" ("the Lord will make thy plagues remarkable") to mean that these punishments will be extraordinary and clearly recognizable as divine retribution—unlike natural misfortunes. The term "נאמנות" ("of long continuance") indicates that these afflictions will be persistent and inescapable, reinforcing their severity.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Teshuvah (Laws of Repentance), Rambam teaches that suffering and plagues serve as a wake-up call for teshuvah (repentance). The phrase "מכות גדולות ונאמנות" ("great plagues and of long continuance") underscores that these are not random punishments but deliberate divine interventions meant to guide the people back to righteousness.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Midrash Devarim Rabbah connects this verse to earlier plagues in Egypt, suggesting that just as the Egyptians suffered extraordinary punishments for their oppression of Israel, so too will Israel face extraordinary consequences if they forsake the Torah. The term "וחלים רעים" ("severe sicknesses") is expounded upon as ailments with no natural cure, emphasizing divine causation.

Ibn Ezra's Insight

Ibn Ezra notes that the doubling of terms—"מכות גדולות ונאמנות" and "וחלים רעים ונאמנים"—serves to intensify the warning. The repetition of "נאמנות/נאמנים" ("of long continuance") stresses that these afflictions will endure until the people return to Hashem.

Practical Lessons

  • The verse serves as a stark reminder that divine justice is both precise and inescapable.
  • It highlights the principle of middah k'neged middah (measure for measure), where punishments correspond to the severity of the sins.
  • The emphasis on prolonged suffering underscores the importance of immediate teshuvah to avert such decrees.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 28:59 mean?
A: This verse describes severe consequences that may come if the Jewish people do not follow Hashem's commandments. The Torah warns of 'great plagues' and 'severe sicknesses' that will be long-lasting. Rashi explains that these punishments are meant to be extraordinary ('remarkable') to show they come from Hashem as a consequence for abandoning the covenant.
Q: Why does the Torah mention plagues and sicknesses as punishments?
A: The Rambam (Maimonides) teaches in Hilchot Teshuvah that these physical afflictions are meant to awaken people to repent and return to Hashem. The severity is proportional to how far people stray from Torah observance. The Midrash Tanchuma explains that these consequences demonstrate how seriously Hashem takes the covenant with the Jewish people.
Q: How does this verse apply to us today?
A: While we pray that such severe punishments never come, the verse reminds us of the importance of keeping mitzvot and maintaining our relationship with Hashem. The Talmud (Berachot 5a) teaches that suffering can sometimes be a wake-up call for self-improvement. This verse encourages us to examine our actions and strengthen our commitment to Torah values.