Deuteronomy 28:60

Moreover he will bring upon thee all the diseases of Egypt, which thou wast afraid of; and they shall cleave unto thee.

Deuteronomy 28:60 (KJV)

Context

Deuteronomy 28 records Moses’ covenant address to Israel on the plains of Moab, just before they entered the Promised Land. The chapter sets two paths before the people: blessings for obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1-14) and curses for disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). This verse belongs to the curse section, following verse 59, which speaks of “great plagues, and of long continuance, and sore sicknesses.“

Meaning

The diseases of Egypt were the afflictions the Israelites feared while living among the Egyptians, including chronic ailments such as leprosy, itch, and ulcers. The Hebrew wording suggests these diseases would “cleave unto” or cling persistently to the disobedient, indicating not a brief illness but a lasting, inescapable condition. The phrase “bring upon thee” carries the sense of bringing back former calamities, as seen in several translations. This is not arbitrary punishment but the outworking of covenant justice: the same God who protected Israel from Egypt’s plagues would, if they broke covenant, allow those plagues to come upon them.

Biblical connections

The mention of Egypt recalls both the plagues God brought upon Egypt for refusing to release Israel (judgment on oppressors) and the diseases common in that land. The broader context (Deuteronomy 28:58-61) ties these curses to failing to fear “this glorious and fearful name, the LORD thy God” and to observe all the words of the law. The verse warns that the people once delivered from Egypt’s bondage could, through disobedience, experience the very judgments associated with that place.

Application

While this verse addresses national Israel, it teaches that disobedience to God’s commands can bring concrete, physical consequences. It does not teach that all sickness comes from personal sin, but it does show that covenant unfaithfulness carries serious results. For the Christian reader, this passage points to the holiness of God and the reality of divine judgment, urging careful obedience to His Word.

Reflection

God’s judgments are precise and purposeful, using historical memory as a living warning. Yet the purpose of these curses was not to destroy Israel but to bring them to repentance and restoration. Throughout Scripture, God shows forgiveness when His people turn back to Him with sincere repentance. This verse reminds us that God’s mercy remains available even after warning of judgment.