Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 28:13
And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do [them]:
13. the head, and not the tail ] Isa 9:14; Isa 19:15.
only ] Heb. ra; see on Deu 10:15. Here = nothing but.
if thou shalt ] Rather (as in Deu 28:9), for thou wilt, or in case thou shalt.
to observe and to do ] See on Deu 4:6, Deu 5:32.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Deu 28:13
The head, and not the tail.
The saints leading the way
If we obey the Lord He will compel our adversaries to see that His blessing rests upon us. Though this be a promise of the law, yet it stands good to the people of God; for Jesus has removed the curse, but He has established the blessing. It is for saints to lead the way among men by holy influence: they are not to be the tail, to be dragged hither and thither by others. We must not yield to the spirit of the age, but compel the age to do homage to Christ. If the Lord be with us we shall not crave toleration for religion, but we shall seek to seat it on the throne of society. Has not the Lord Jesus made His people priests? Surely they are to teach, and must not be learners from the philosophies of unbelievers. Are we not in Christ made kings to reign upon the earth? How, then, can we be the servants of custom, the slaves of human opinion! Have you taken up your true position for Jesus? Too many are silent because diffident, if not cowardly. Should we allow the name of the Lord Jesus to be kept in the background? Should our religion drag along as a tail? Should it not rather lead the way, and be the ruling force with ourselves and others? (C. H. Spurgeon.)
Fuente: Biblical Illustrator Edited by Joseph S. Exell
The head; the chief of all people in power, or at least in dignity and privileges; so that even they that are not under thine authority shall reverence thy greatness and excellency. So it was in Davids and Solomons time, and so it should have been much oftener and much more, if they had performed the conditions here required. For the phrase, see Isa 9:14,15; 19:15.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
13, 14. the head, and not thetailan Oriental form of expression, indicating the possessionof independent power and great dignity and acknowledged excellence(Isa 9:14; Isa 19:15).
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
And the Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail,…. Give them dominion over others, and not make them subject to them; the head signifies rulers and governors, and the tail the common people that are subjects; or the one such that are honourable and in high esteem, and the other such that are mean and base; see Isa 9:14; the Targum of Jonathan is,
“the Word of the Lord shall make thee, c.”
and thou shalt be above only, and thou shall not be beneath which explains what is meant by head and tail, being uppermost and lowermost, as the head is the upper part, and the tail the lower part of a creature; the one is more honourable, the other vile: the sense is, that they should be superior to other people in honour and dignity, and not below them, or vassals to them:
if that thou hearken to the commandments of the Lord thy God, which I command thee this day to observe and to do [them]; which is the condition on which all this happiness depended.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
Ver. 13. The Lord shall make thee the head, and not the tail, A proverbial method of speaking, which the following words explain: “You shall rule over other nations, but other nations shall not rule over you.” Such was the happy lot of the people of Israel under the reigns of David and Solomon. To shew them that their prosperity depended upon their obedience, it is added in the next verse, thou shalt not go aside, &c.
REFLECTIONS.God delights in the prosperity of his people, and to bless them he rejoiceth; whilst vengeance is his strange work. Happy for them, if, sensible of his goodness, they are enabled to walk so as not to provoke his displeasure.
1. God propounds to them the condition on which all their happiness depended; and that was, serious attention to his revealed will, faithful and persevering obedience to his commands, and, particularly, careful watchfulness not to turn aside after idols. As long as we are found waiting upon God in his ways, so long we may be assured he will meet and bless us.
2. The blessings promised are most engaging, great, and glorious, spiritual and temporal; and, no doubt, look farther, even to eternal blessedness: [1.] outward prosperity and affluence are promised them. (1.) In dignity, they should excel all nations. Wealth, like a river, should flow in upon them; so that the nations around should borrow of them, and be in subjection to them. Victory should constantly attend their standards; their enemies in fear bow down and lick the dust before them, and be forced to own God’s distinguishing regard for them. Note; They, who have God for their friend, will surely at last have their enemies at their feet. (2.) God’s blessing is promised on them in all places, and in all undertakings. In the city, peace, plenty, and riches in their traffic, should abound. In the field, their labour should be crowned with success beyond their most sanguine wishes, and their barns and vats overflow with corn and wine. In their journey, their persons should be protected, and their undertakings prosperous, under the constant care of a Covenant-God. Note; They who have an eye to God in all they take in hand, and keep him in their mind in all their travels, will find his blessings still preventing and following them. (3.) Uncommon fruitfulness is assured them. Their families should increase as a flock, and there should be no want of a portion and provision for them. Their sheep and oxen should multiply exceedingly; their fields stand thick with corn, watered from heaven with peculiar care; and, when gathered in, still God’s blessing should be upon their stores, preserving them from damage and accidents, and giving them the most comfortable enjoyment of their possessions. Thus every earthly bliss, health, wealth, honour, children; in short, all that heart could wish, is promised as their portion. Note; Those who have an interest in God’s love, may be assured that they shall want no manner of thing that is good. If the Gospel directs us rather to spiritual and eternal, than temporal blessings; yet it assures us that these shall, in a measure, be added to those who seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness. [2.] Spiritual mercies are promised them. They, who are faithful to that measure of grace which they receive, shall grow in grace. (1.) God engages to establish them in holiness, to keep them a people separate for himself, and to bless them with his ordinances for their increasing sanctification. Note; Holiness is God’s work in us: we are called to obey his godly motions; and when we do so, he is pleased to reward what he has wrought, by strengthening, establishing, and settling us. (2.) Their religious character should engage the reverence and respect of the nations around them. The evident regard of God to them would be confessed by their enemies; and therein a clear acknowledgment be made of their superior happiness and felicity, arising from his favour and love. Spiritual happiness is the best of portions; and they who have the Lord for their God possess a joy, which, though the stranger intermeddles not with, he will be forced to own is the only real felicity under the sun.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Deu 28:13 And the LORD shall make thee the head, and not the tail; and thou shalt be above only, and thou shalt not be beneath; if that thou hearken unto the commandments of the LORD thy God, which I command thee this day, to observe and to do [them]:
Ver. 13. And the Lord shall make thee. ] See a parallel place. Hos 13:1 “When Ephraim spake, there was trembling; he exalted himself in Israel; but when he offended in Baal, he died.” Before, none durst budge against the name of Ephraim; but after he offended in Baal, every paltry adversary trampled upon him as a dead man.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
the head, and not the tail. Figure of speech Pleonasm (App-6) for great emphasis.
above . . . and not beneath. Figure of speech Pleonasm. See note above.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
the head: Num 24:18, Num 24:19, Isa 9:14, Isa 9:15
if that thou: Deu 28:1, Deu 4:6-9, Phi 1:27
Reciprocal: Deu 15:6 – thou shalt reign Deu 28:44 – General Jdg 15:11 – Philistines 2Sa 22:44 – head Lam 3:45 – as
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Deu 28:13. The head The chief of all people in power, or at least in dignity and privileges; so that even they that are not under thy authority shall reverence thy greatness and excellence. So it was in Davids and Solomons time, and so it should have been oftener and much more, if they had performed the conditions.