New International VersionThe foreigners who reside among you will rise above you higher and higher, but you will sink lower and lower.
New Living Translation“The foreigners living among you will become stronger and stronger, while you become weaker and weaker.
English Standard VersionThe sojourner who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower.
Berean Standard BibleThe foreigner living among you will rise higher and higher above you, while you sink down lower and lower.
King James BibleThe stranger that is within thee shall get up above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low.
New King James Version“The alien who is among you shall rise higher and higher above you, and you shall come down lower and lower.
New American Standard BibleThe stranger who is among you will rise above you higher and higher, and you will go down lower and lower.
NASB 1995“The alien who is among you shall rise above you higher and higher, but you will go down lower and lower.
NASB 1977“The alien who is among you shall rise above you higher and higher, but you shall go down lower and lower.
Legacy Standard BibleThe sojourner who is among you shall rise above you higher and higher, but you will go down lower and lower.
Amplified BibleThe stranger who lives among you will rise above you higher and higher, and you will go down lower and lower.
Christian Standard BibleThe resident alien among you will rise higher and higher above you, while you sink lower and lower.
Holman Christian Standard BibleThe foreign resident among you will rise higher and higher above you, while you sink lower and lower.
American Standard VersionThe sojourner that is in the midst of thee shall mount up above thee higher and higher; and thou shalt come down lower and lower.
Contemporary English VersionForeigners in your towns will become wealthy and powerful, while you become poor and powerless.
English Revised VersionThe stranger that is in the midst of thee shall mount up above thee higher and higher; and thou shalt come down lower and lower.
GOD'S WORD® TranslationThe [standard of living for the] foreigners who live among you will rise higher and higher, while your [standard of living] will sink lower and lower.
Good News Translation"Foreigners who live in your land will gain more and more power, while you gradually lose yours.
International Standard VersionThe foreigner in your midst will be elevated higher and higher over you, while you are brought low little by little.
NET BibleThe foreigners who reside among you will become higher and higher over you and you will become lower and lower.
New Heart English BibleThe foreigner who is in the midst of you shall mount up above you higher and higher; and you shall come down lower and lower.
Webster's Bible TranslationThe stranger that is within thee shall rise above thee very high; and thou shalt come down very low. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleThe foreigner living among you will rise higher and higher above you, while you sink down lower and lower.
World English BibleThe foreigner who is among you will mount up above you higher and higher, and you will come down lower and lower. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionthe sojourner who [is] in your midst goes up very high above you, and you go down very low;
Young's Literal Translation the sojourner who is in thy midst goeth up above thee very high, and thou goest down very low;
Smith's Literal TranslationThe stranger which is in the midst of thee shall go up above thee, going up, going up; and thou shalt go down beneath, beneath. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleThe stranger that liveth with thee in the land, shall rise up over thee, and shall be higher: and thou shalt go down, and be lower.
Catholic Public Domain VersionThe new arrival who lives with you in the land will ascend over you, and be higher. But you will descend, and be lower.
New American BibleThe resident aliens among you will rise above you higher and higher, while you sink lower and lower.
New Revised Standard VersionAliens residing among you shall ascend above you higher and higher, while you shall descend lower and lower. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleThe stranger who is in your midst shall rise up above you very high; and you shall come down very low.
Peshitta Holy Bible TranslatedAnd the settler who is in you shall be exalted high over you and you shall go down under. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917The stranger that is in the midst of thee shall mount up above thee higher and higher; and thou shalt come down lower and lower.
Brenton Septuagint TranslationThe stranger that is within thee shall get up very high, and thou shalt come down very low.
Additional Translations ... Audio Bible
Context The Curses of Disobedience… 42Swarms of locusts will consume all your trees and the produce of your land. 43The foreigner livingamong youwill risehigherand higherabove you,while yousink downlowerand lower.44He will lend to you, but you will not lend to him. He will be the head, and you will be the tail.…
Cross References Leviticus 26:17And I will set My face against you, so that you will be defeated by your enemies. Those who hate you will rule over you, and you will flee when no one pursues you.
Leviticus 26:36-37As for those of you who survive, I will send a faintness into their hearts in the lands of their enemies, so that even the sound of a windblown leaf will put them to flight. And they will flee as one flees the sword, and fall when no one pursues them. / They will stumble over one another as before the sword, though no one is behind them. So you will not be able to stand against your enemies.
Judges 2:14Then the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He delivered them into the hands of those who plundered them. He sold them into the hands of their enemies all around, whom they were no longer able to resist.
Judges 2:20-21So the anger of the LORD burned against Israel, and He said, “Because this nation has transgressed the covenant I laid down for their fathers and has not heeded My voice, / I will no longer drive out before them any of the nations Joshua left when he died.
1 Kings 9:6-9But if indeed you or your sons turn away from following Me and do not keep the commandments and statutes I have set before you, and if you go off to serve and worship other gods, / then I will cut off Israel from the land that I have given them, and I will banish from My presence this temple I have sanctified for My Name. Then Israel will become an object of scorn and ridicule among all peoples. / And when this temple has become a heap of rubble, all who pass by it will be appalled and will hiss and say, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land and to this temple?’ ...
2 Kings 17:20So the LORD rejected all the descendants of Israel. He afflicted them and delivered them into the hands of plunderers, until He had banished them from His presence.
2 Kings 17:25Now when the settlers first lived there, they did not worship the LORD, so He sent lions among them, which killed some of them.
Nehemiah 9:27So You delivered them into the hands of enemies who oppressed them, and in their time of distress they cried out to You. From heaven You heard them, and in Your great compassion You gave them deliverers who saved them from the hands of their enemies.
Isaiah 3:1-5For behold, the Lord GOD of Hosts is about to remove from Jerusalem and Judah both supply and support: the whole supply of food and water, / the mighty man and the warrior, the judge and the prophet, the soothsayer and the elder, / the commander of fifty and the dignitary, the counselor, the cunning magician, and the clever enchanter. ...
Isaiah 9:14-16So the LORD will cut off Israel’s head and tail, both palm branch and reed in a single day. / The head is the elder and honorable man, and the tail is the prophet who teaches lies. / For those who guide this people mislead them, and those they mislead are swallowed up.
Jeremiah 5:15-17Behold, I am bringing a distant nation against you, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD. “It is an established nation, an ancient nation, a nation whose language you do not know and whose speech you do not understand. / Their quivers are like open graves; they are all mighty men. / They will devour your harvest and food; they will consume your sons and daughters; they will eat up your flocks and herds; they will feed on your vines and fig trees. With the sword they will destroy the fortified cities in which you trust.”
Jeremiah 30:11For I am with you to save you, declares the LORD. Though I will completely destroy all the nations to which I have scattered you, I will not completely destroy you. Yet I will discipline you justly, and will by no means leave you unpunished.”
Lamentations 1:5Her foes have become her masters; her enemies are at ease. For the LORD has brought her grief because of her many transgressions. Her children have gone away as captives before the enemy.
Ezekiel 7:24So I will bring the most wicked of nations to take possession of their houses. I will end the pride of the mighty, and their holy places will be profaned.
Ezekiel 11:9I will bring you out of the city and deliver you into the hands of foreigners, and I will execute judgments against you.
Treasury of Scripture The stranger that is within you shall get up above you very high; and you shall come down very low. Judges 2:3,11-15 Wherefore I also said, I will not drive them out from before you; but they shall beas thorns in your sides, and their gods shall be a snare unto you… Judges 4:2,3 And the LORD sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, that reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose hostwas Sisera, which dwelt in Harosheth of the Gentiles… Judges 10:7-10 And the anger of the LORD was hot against Israel, and he sold them into the hands of the Philistines, and into the hands of the children of Ammon… Jump to Previous AlienHighHigherLowerMidstMountRiseSinkSojournerStrangeStrangerWithinJump to Next AlienHighHigherLowerMidstMountRiseSinkSojournerStrangeStrangerWithinDeuteronomy 28 1.The blessings for obedience15.The curses for disobedienceThe foreigner living among youThis phrase refers to non-Israelites residing within the land of Israel. In the context of Deuteronomy, these foreigners could be traders, laborers, or those who settled among the Israelites for various reasons. Historically, Israel was situated at a crossroads of major trade routes, making it a melting pot of cultures and peoples. The presence of foreigners was common, and the Law provided specific instructions on how they were to be treated (e.g., Exodus 22:21). This phrase highlights the potential for foreigners to gain influence and status, which could be seen as a reversal of the expected social order where Israelites were to be the dominant group. will rise higher and higher above you
This part of the verse indicates a shift in power dynamics, where foreigners would gain prominence and authority over the Israelites. This could be seen as a consequence of Israel's disobedience to God's commandments, as outlined in the blessings and curses ofDeuteronomy 28. The rising of foreigners above the Israelites serves as a warning of the social and economic upheaval that would result from turning away from God. This theme of reversal is echoed in other parts of Scripture, such as in the book of Judges, where foreign oppressors rise when Israel falls into sin. while you sink down lower and lower
The imagery of sinking suggests a decline in status, prosperity, and influence for the Israelites. This decline is a direct result of failing to adhere to the covenant with God. The language of "lower and lower" emphasizes a continuous and worsening state of degradation. This concept is mirrored in the prophetic writings, such as in Jeremiah and Lamentations, where the consequences of Israel's unfaithfulness lead to national humiliation and suffering. Theologically, this serves as a reminder of the importance of obedience to God and the dangers of complacency and idolatry. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe author of Deuteronomy, delivering God's laws and warnings to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. 2. IsraelitesThe chosen people of God, receiving the blessings and curses based on their obedience or disobedience to God's commandments. 3. Promised LandThe land of Canaan, which God promised to the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 4. ForeignersNon-Israelites living among the Israelites, who could rise in status if Israel disobeyed God. 5. Mount Ebal and Mount GerizimThe locations where blessings and curses were pronounced over Israel, symbolizing the choice between obedience and disobedience. Teaching Points The Consequences of DisobedienceDeuteronomy 28:43 warns that disobedience leads to a reversal of roles, where foreigners rise above the Israelites. This serves as a reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's commandments. The Importance of ObedienceThe verse underscores the necessity of obedience to God's laws to maintain the blessings and avoid the curses. It is a call to live a life that honors God in all aspects. The Role of ForeignersThe mention of foreigners rising above the Israelites serves as a cautionary tale about the loss of God's favor and the resulting social and economic consequences. Spiritual VigilanceThis passage encourages believers to remain vigilant in their spiritual walk, understanding that neglecting God's commands can lead to spiritual and material decline. Covenant RelationshipThe verse highlights the covenant relationship between God and His people, where blessings and curses are contingent upon obedience, reminding us of the seriousness of our commitment to God. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1.What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 28:43?
2.How does Deuteronomy 28:43 illustrate consequences of disobedience to God's commands?
3.What lessons can we learn about humility from Deuteronomy 28:43?
4.How does Deuteronomy 28:43 connect with Proverbs 22:7 on lending and borrowing?
5.In what ways can we avoid the pitfalls described in Deuteronomy 28:43?
6.How can Deuteronomy 28:43 inspire us to seek God's guidance in leadership?
7.How does Deuteronomy 28:43 relate to the concept of divine justice and fairness?
8.What historical context influenced the message in Deuteronomy 28:43?
9.How does Deuteronomy 28:43 reflect the consequences of disobedience to God?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 28?
11.Why does archaeology show that Judaism developed gradually rather than being revealed all at once?
12.How does 'whoever increases wealth by taking interest or profit' (Proverbs 28:8) align with modern banking systems that seem beneficial yet charge interest?
13.Why does Psalm 43:2 suggest God has forsaken the writer, when other passages emphasize God's constant presence?
14.What does the Bible say about sacred stones?What Does Deuteronomy 28:43 Mean The foreigner living among youDeuteronomy 28:43 opens with, “The foreigner living among you…”. Israel’s life always included resident outsiders. God had earlier instructed, “You are to love the foreigner, for you were foreigners in Egypt” (Deuteronomy 10:19). Yet love did not erase covenant order. The alien could share many blessings (Leviticus 19:33-34), but Israel was to remain the head of the nations when faithful (Deuteronomy 28:1, 13). This verse signals a reversal of that intended order: • Israel’s moral failure would remove the protective hedge God promised (Exodus 23:22-23). • Those once dependent on Israel’s favor would become dominant, as later seen when Philistines, Midianites, and Babylonians rose inside the land (Judges 6:3-6;1 Kings 9:20-21;2 Kings 24:14-17).
Will rise higher and higher above you“…will rise higher and higher above you…” pictures relentless elevation. The language is progressive: the foreigner’s influence, wealth, and authority keep mounting. Compare the blessing side: “The LORD will make you the head and not the tail” (Deuteronomy 28:13). Under judgment the roles flip: • Economic edge – “The foreigner…will lend to you, but you will not lend to him” (Deuteronomy 28:44). • Political edge – foreign governors like Gedaliah served Babylon’s interests (Jeremiah 40:7-10). • Cultural edge – foreign gods and customs infiltrated (2 Kings 17:24-29). Each step upward for the outsider exposed Israel’s loss of distinctiveness promised inExodus 19:5-6.
While you sink down lower and lowerThe verse ends, “…while you sink down lower and lower.” Decline is just as relentless as the foreigner’s rise. Other curse passages fill in the picture: • Daily frustration – “You will be oppressed and robbed continually, with no one to save you” (Deuteronomy 28:29). • Economic collapse – “Locusts will consume all your trees and the produce of your land” (Deuteronomy 28:42). • Social humiliation – “All who pass along the way clap their hands at you; they hiss and shake their heads at Daughter Jerusalem” (Lamentations 2:15). The covenant made prosperity Israel’s default (Leviticus 26:3-13). Disobedience made decline inevitable (Leviticus 26:14-39), proving God’s word exact and literal.
summaryDeuteronomy 28:43 describes a covenant curse in which resident foreigners ascend continually, while covenant-breaking Israel descends continually. The verse warns that when God’s people abandon His statutes, He removes the headship He once granted, letting outsiders gain the upper hand. The accuracy of this prediction, seen repeatedly in Israel’s history, underlines Scripture’s reliability and God’s call to wholehearted obedience. Verses 43, 44. - (Cf. vers. 12, 13.)
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew The foreigner livingהַגֵּר֙(hag·gêr)Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 1616:A guest, a foreigneramong youבְּקִרְבְּךָ֔(bə·qir·bə·ḵā)Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct | second person masculine singular
Strong's 7130:The nearest part, the centerwill riseיַעֲלֶ֥ה(ya·‘ă·leh)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5927:To ascend, in, activelyhigherמַ֣עְלָה(ma‘·lāh)Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4605:The upper part, with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the topand higherמָּ֑עְלָה(mā·‘ə·lāh)Adverb | third person feminine singular
Strong's 4605:The upper part, with prefix upward, above, overhead, from the topabove you,עָלֶ֖יךָ(‘ā·le·ḵā)Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstwhile youוְאַתָּ֥ה(wə·’at·tāh)Conjunctive waw | Pronoun - second person masculine singular
Strong's 859:Thou and thee, ye and yousink downתֵרֵ֖ד(ṯê·rêḏ)Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular
Strong's 3381:To come or go down, descendlowerמַ֥טָּה(maṭ·ṭāh)Adverb
Strong's 4295:Downward, below, beneathand lower.מָּֽטָּה׃(māṭ·ṭāh)Adverb
Strong's 4295:Downward, below, beneath
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OT Law: Deuteronomy 28:43 The foreigner who is in the midst (Deut. De Du) |
