Devarim 28:37

37 And thou shalt become an object of horror, a mashal, and a byword, among kol haGoyim whither Hashem shall lead thee.

Devarim 28:37 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 28:37

And thou shall become an astonishment
To neighbouring nations, that shall hear of their overthrow and captivity, and that shall see the miserable condition they are brought into:

a proverb and a byword among all nations whither the Lord shall lead
thee;
both for the wickedness committed by them, and for the ill usage of them by the nations among whom they should be, as they were in the Babylonish captivity; see ( Jeremiah 24:9 ) ; and now are, it being common to say,

``do you think I am a Jew?''

or,

``none but a Jew would have done such a thing.''

Devarim 28:37 In-Context

35 Hashem shall strike thee in the birkayim (knees), and in the legs, with shekhin rah (foul boil) that cannot be healed, from the sole of thy foot unto the top of thy head.

36 Hashem shall bring thee, and thy melech which thou shalt set over thee, unto a Goy which neither thou nor Avoteicha have known; and there shalt thou serve elohim acherim, etz va’even (wood and stone). [2Kgs 25:7]

37 And thou shalt become an object of horror, a mashal, and a byword, among kol haGoyim whither Hashem shall lead thee.

38 Thou shalt carry much zera out into the sadeh, and shalt gather but little in; for the arbeh shall devour it.

39 Thou shalt plant kramim, and dress them, but shalt neither drink of the yayin, nor gather the grapes; for the tola’at (worm) shall eat them.