The LORD shall cause thee to be smitten before thine enemies: thou shalt go out one way against them, and flee seven ways before them: and shalt be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth.
The LORD will let your enemies defeat you in battle. You'll march out to fight them organized in one direction, but you'll run away scattered in seven different directions. You'll be scattered and removed to all the nations of the world.
This verse warns that disobedience to God will result in military defeat and being scattered among foreign nations as punishment.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of Moses' farewell speech to Israel before they entered the Promised Land, specifically from a section listing curses that would come if they broke their covenant with God. The Israelites were about to become a settled nation, and Moses was warning them about the consequences of abandoning God's laws. This prophecy was later fulfilled when Israel was defeated by Assyria (722 BC) and Judah by Babylon (586 BC), leading to exile and dispersion.
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