· Translation: KJV

Deuteronomy 28:19You shall be cursed when you come in, and you shall be cursed when you go out.

The setting

Plains of Moab, 1406 BC. Moses describes total life disruption - no safe spaces, no peaceful movements. Every transition becomes anxious, modern-day Jordan Valley near the Promised Land they're about to enter.

The emotion here: deeply sad, knowing his people will live in constant fear

The original word

bo (בֹּא) and yatsa (יָצָא) — coming in and going out, covering all human movement and transition

Why it matters

'Coming in and going out' was a Hebrew idiom meaning all daily activities and life transitions

Read with care

What most readers miss in Deuteronomy 28:19

This phrase covers EVERY moment of transition - even something as simple as walking through a doorway becomes stressful

Common misconceptionPeople think this means God will hunt you down. Actually, this describes anxiety and fear that comes when you lose the sense of God's protection - life feels dangerous because you're trying to navigate it without divine guidance.

Bible Genome reading

Deuteronomy 28:19 — Bible Genome reading

SpeakerMoses
Eraexodus
Primary emotionanxious
Literary typenarrative
MarkProphecy

Emotional genome

Comfort power10%
Quotability70%
Memorability80%
Crisis relevance90%
Standalone50%
Themes:comprehensive curseinescapable judgment

In context

No verse stands alone.

Read the conversation around it.

Open Deuteronomy 28

Deuteronomy 28:19 comes from the book of Deuteronomy, written during the exodus period. These words are attributed to Moses. The dominant emotion in this verse is anxious, with a comfort power of 10% and a tone that is prophetic. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include comprehensive curse, inescapable judgment. Notable phrases: cursed when you come in; cursed when you go out. This verse contains prophecy.

Your reflection

What does Deuteronomy 28:19 mean to you, today?

A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.

Speak your heart →

Get 3 verses for "anxious"

Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.