Deuteronomy 28:48
Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.
Deuteronomy 28:48 · King James Version
Meaning
When interpreting the verse "Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee," it is important to understand the context in which it was written. This verse is part of the book of Deuteronomy in the Bible, where Moses is addressing the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. In this particular verse, Moses is warning the Israelites of the consequences of turning away from God and breaking their covenant with Him. He speaks of the punishment that will come upon them if they disobey God's commandments, including being subject to their enemies and experiencing hunger, thirst, nakedness, and want of all things. The mention of a yoke of iron symbolizes the heavy burden and oppression that the Israelites will endure under their enemies until they are ultimately destroyed. This verse serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God in order to avoid suffering the consequences outlined in the passage.
Theological Overview
In this verse, the theological interpretation revolves around the consequences of disobedience to the Lord's commandments. The phrase "Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies" signifies the punishment God will bring upon those who turn away from Him. The image of serving enemies in hunger, thirst, nakedness, and want of all things is a powerful reminder of the hardships that come with straying from God's path. The mention of a "yoke of iron" symbolizes the heavy burden that disobedience carries and the bondage that sin brings. This verse serves as a warning and a call to repentance, emphasizing the importance of staying faithful to God's teachings to avoid the destructive consequences that come with turning away from Him.
Deuteronomy 28:48 in other translations
American Standard Version
therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies that Jehovah shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.
World English Bible
therefore you will serve your enemies whom Yahweh sends against you, in hunger, in thirst, in nakedness, and in lack of all things. He will put an iron yoke on your neck, until he has destroyed you.
Douay-Rheims
Thou shalt serve thy enemy, whom the Lord will send upon thee, in hunger, and thirst, and nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put an iron yoke upon thy neck, till he consume thee.
Geneva Bible (1599)
Therefore thou shalt serue thine enemies which the Lord shall send vpon thee, in hunger and in thirst, and in nakednesse, and in neede of all things? and he shall put a yoke of yron vpon thy necke vntill he haue destroyed thee.