Deuteronomy 28:68
And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you.
Deuteronomy 28:68 · King James Version
Meaning
When interpreting the verse "And the LORD shall bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I spake unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall be sold unto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you," it is important to understand that it is a prophetic warning from God to the Israelites. In this passage, Egypt symbolizes a place of oppression and bondage, rather than the literal country. The mention of being brought back to Egypt with ships conveys the idea of a forceful removal from their land into captivity. The reference to being sold into slavery represents the consequences of turning away from God's commandments and falling into the hands of their enemies. The phrase "no man shall buy you" suggests that there will be no one to redeem or rescue them from their plight. Ultimately, this verse serves as a cautionary tale about the consequences of disobedience and serves as a reminder of the importance of staying faithful to God.
Theological Overview
When looking at the theological interpretation of Deuteronomy 28:68, scholars often focus on the significance of Egypt as symbolic of bondage and oppression. The verse speaks of the Israelites being brought back to Egypt on ships, a reference to their past captivity in the land. This prophecy is seen as a warning of the consequences of disobedience to God's laws, with the Israelites facing the possibility of returning to a state of slavery and servitude if they do not follow His commands. The mention of being "sold unto your enemies" emphasizes the severe nature of the punishment they will face, being at the mercy of those who seek to harm them. The phrase "no man shall buy you" suggests that there will be no one to rescue or redeem them from this fate, highlighting the dire consequences of turning away from God. Overall, this verse serves as a powerful reminder of the importance of obedience and faithfulness to God's covenant.
Deuteronomy 28:68 in other translations
American Standard Version
And Jehovah will bring thee into Egypt again with ships, by the way whereof I said unto thee, Thou shalt see it no more again: and there ye shall sell yourselves unto your enemies for bondmen and for bondwomen, and no man shall buy you.
World English Bible
Yahweh will bring you into Egypt again with ships, by the way of which I told to you that you would never see it again. There you will sell yourselves to your enemies for male and female slaves, and nobody will buy you.
Douay-Rheims
The Lord shall bring thee again with ships into Egypt, by the way whereof he said to thee that thou shouldst see it no more. There shalt thou be set to sale to thy enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and no man shall buy you.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And the Lord shall bring thee into Egypt againe with shippes by the way, whereof I saide vnto thee, Thou shalt see it no more againe: and there yee shall sell your selues vnto your enemies for bondmen and bondwomen, and there shalbe no byer.