Deuteronomy 28:18The fruit of your body, the fruit of your ground, the increase of your livestock, and the young of your flock shall be cursed.
The setting
Plains of Moab, 1406 BC. Moses lists the comprehensive nature of covenant curses - affecting reproduction, agriculture, and livestock. Every source of life and provision, modern-day Jordan Valley.
The emotion here: heartbroken, knowing the people he loves will experience this
The original word
peri (פְּרִי) — fruit, offspring, produce - the Hebrew word covers both human children and agricultural yield
Why it matters
In ancient Israel, children, crops, and livestock were the three pillars of economic survival and blessing
Read with care
What most readers miss in Deuteronomy 28:18
The same Hebrew word 'fruit' applies to children AND crops - showing they're equally precious to God
Common misconceptionPeople think God curses innocent children. Actually, this describes how sin creates generational cycles - when parents reject God's wisdom about relationships, work, and life, children suffer the consequences.
The thread continues
Verses that echo Deuteronomy 28:18
Bible Genome reading
Deuteronomy 28:18 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
Deuteronomy 28:18 comes from the book of Deuteronomy, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to Moses. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include fertility curse, generational impact. Notable phrases: fruit of your body; increase of livestock. This verse contains prophecy.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does Deuteronomy 28:18 mean to you, today?
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