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Deuteronomy 28:13

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 28:13 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And Jehovah will make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if thou shalt hearken unto the commandments of Jehovah thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do [them],” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And Jehovah will make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if thou shalt hearken unto the commandments of Jehovah thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do [them],
Deuteronomy 28:13 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 28

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10And all the peoples of the earth shall see that thou art called by the name of Jehovah; and they shall be afraid of thee.
11And Jehovah will make thee plenteous for good, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy ground, in the land which Jehovah sware unto thy fathers to give thee.
12Jehovah will open unto thee his good treasure the heavens, to give the rain of thy land in its season, and to bless all the work of thy hand: and thou shalt lend unto many nations, and thou shalt not borrow.
13And Jehovah will make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if thou shalt hearken unto the commandments of Jehovah thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do [them],
14and shalt not turn aside from any of the words which I command you this day, to the right hand, or to the left, to go after other gods to serve them.
15But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of Jehovah thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day, that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee.
16Cursed shalt thou be in the city, and cursed shalt thou be in the field.
← Deuteronomy 28:12Deuteronomy 28:14 →
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What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“the head, and not the tail--an Oriental form of expression, indicating the possession of independent power and great dignity and acknowledged excellence (Isa 9:14; Isa 19:15).”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“A comparison of this chapter with Exodus 23:20-23 and Leviticus 26:0 will show how Moses here resumes and amplifies the promises and threats already set forth in the earlier records of the Law. The language rises in this chapter to the sublimest strains, especially in the latter part of it; and the prophecies respecting the dispersion and degradation of the Jewish nation in its later days are among the most remarkable in scripture. They are plain, precise, and circumstantial; and the fulfillment of them has been literal, complete, and undeniable. The Blessing. The six repetitions of the word “blessed” introduce the particular forms which the blessing would take in the various relations of…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“The head - The chief of all people in power, or at least in dignity and privileges; so that even they that are not under thine authority shall reverence thy greatness and excellency. So it was in David's and Solomon's time, and so it should have been much oftner and much more, if they had performed the conditions. Deuteronomy 28:15”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“28:13 the head and not the tail: If Israel obeyed the terms of the covenant, it would lead the nations and not be subject to them.”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“the head: Num 24:18, Num 24:19; Isa 9:14, Isa 9:15 if that thou: Deu 28:1, Deu 4:6-9; Phi 1:27 Deuteronomy 28:14”
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Related study paths

Read Deuteronomy 28 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification