Deuteronomy 28:38-42 - Coke's Commentary on the Holy Bible

Bible Comments

Ver. 38-42. Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, &c.— The plagues wherewith the nation is threatened in these verses, fell upon it successively. A great famine laid waste the country in the time of Elisha; the locusts made havoc of it; and the olive-trees yielded no fruit. 2 Kings 8:1.Joel 1:10; Joel 1:20. A famine afterwards broke out in the time of Jeremiah, ch. Deuteronomy 14:1, &c. which is that whereof Moses seems to speak in this place. The invasions of the enemy were frequent; 2 Kings 13:20-24. 2 Chronicles 28:5. Jeremiah 12:12 and, to complete the misery of the Jews, their children were taken from them repeatedly; 2 Kings 5:2; 2 Kings 14:26. This circumstance, however, never happened to them so often, as since their crucifying the Lord of glory. Dr. Jackson conjectures very probably, that the kings of Spain sent great numbers of them to their American colonies, and that the blood of the Jews is there blended, in several places, with that of the Spaniards. Manasseh Ben-Israel, in his book, intitled Israel's Hope, says, that in the new world are found some remains of the ten tribes; but he gives no light as to the manner in which they were transplanted thither.

Deuteronomy 28:38-42

38 Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather but little in; for the locust shall consume it.

39 Thou shalt plant vineyards, and dress them, but shalt neither drink of the wine, nor gather the grapes; for the worms shall eat them.

40 Thou shalt have olive trees throughout all thy coasts, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with the oil; for thine olive shall cast his fruit.

41 Thou shalt beget sons and daughters, but thou shalt not enjoy them; for they shall go into captivity.

42 All thy trees and fruit of thy land shall the locust consume.f