Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee.
So you will serve your enemies that the LORD will send against you. You'll be hungry, thirsty, naked, and lacking everything you need. He will put a heavy iron collar around your neck until you are completely destroyed.
This verse warns that disobedience to God will result in being conquered and enslaved by enemies, living in terrible conditions until complete destruction comes.
📚 Historical Context
This verse is part of Moses' farewell speech to Israel before they entered the Promised Land, specifically from the section detailing curses for disobedience to God's covenant. Moses was warning the Israelites about the consequences of abandoning God's laws, which would later be fulfilled during the Babylonian exile and other periods of foreign domination. The 'yoke of iron' refers to the brutal oppression that conquered peoples experienced under ancient empires.
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