Deuteronomy 28:40

40 Olive-trees shalt thou have throughout all thy borders, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with oil; for thine olive-tree shall cast its fruit.

Deuteronomy 28:40 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 28:40

Thou shalt have olive trees throughout thy coasts
In the several parts of the land of Canaan, which is therefore called a land of olive oil, ( Deuteronomy 8:8 ) ;

but thou shalt not anoint [thyself] with the oil;
nor any other relations, friends, guests, as was usual at entertainments; see ( Psalms 23:5 ) ( Luke 7:38 Luke 7:46 ) ; for the phrase "thyself" is not in the text. The reason why they should not anoint is, because they would have no oil to anoint with:

for thine olive shall cast [his fruit];
before it is ripe, by one means or another, as by winds, or blasting and mildew; see ( Amos 4:9 ) ( Habakkuk 3:17 ) .

Deuteronomy 28:40 In-Context

38 Thou shalt carry much seed out into the field, and shalt gather little in; for the locust shall devour it.
39 Thou shalt plant and till vineyards, but shalt drink no wine, nor gather [the fruit]; for the worms shall eat it.
40 Olive-trees shalt thou have throughout all thy borders, but thou shalt not anoint thyself with oil; for thine olive-tree shall cast its fruit.
41 Sons and daughters shalt thou beget, but thou shalt not have them [to be with thee]; for they shall go into captivity.
42 All thy trees and the fruit of thy ground shall the locust possess.
The Darby Translation is in the public domain.