Devarim 28:36

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]

Devarim 28:36 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 28:36

And the Lord shall bring thee, and thy king which thou shall
set over thee
This was fulfilled both in Jehoiachin and in Zedekiah, kings of Judah, who were carried captive to Babylon, by Nebuchadnezzar, ( 2 Kings 24:15 ) ( 2 Kings 25:6 2 Kings 25:7 ) ;

unto a nation which neither thou nor thy fathers have known;
the land of Babylon, which was at a distance from them, and is represented in Scripture as afar off, ( Jeremiah 5:15 ) ; and which the Jews, not being a trading people, or dealing in merchandise in foreign parts, were unacquainted with:

and there shall thou serve other gods, wood and stone;
which they were obliged to do in Babylon, of which it seems best to understand it; for though it may be interpreted of their compliance with the image worship of the Papists in their present condition, as the former clause may be of their rulers and governors, included in the name of king, carried captive by the Romans; who were a nation as little, if not less known than the Babylonians: but the former sense seems to suit best here, as this does with ( Deuteronomy 28:64 ) ; where the language is somewhat different, and very appropriate. The Targum of Jonathan is,

``shall pay tribute to those that worship idols of wood and stone.''

Devarim 28:36 In-Context

34 So that thou shalt be driven meshuga because of the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.

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.