The Meaning of Deuteronomy 28:34 Explained

Deuteronomy 28:34

KJV: So that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.

YLT: and thou hast been mad, because of the sight of thine eyes which thou dost see.

Darby: And thou shalt be mad through the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.

ASV: so that thou shalt be mad for the sight of thine eyes which thou shalt see.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

So that thou shalt be mad  for the sight  of thine eyes  which thou shalt see. 

What does Deuteronomy 28:34 Mean?

Context Summary

Deuteronomy 28:20-46 - The Fearful Results Of Disobedience
If we compare this chapter with Exodus 23:20-23 and Leviticus 26:1-46, we shall see how Moses resumes and amplifies the promises and threatenings already set forth in the earlier editions of the Law. The blessings are declared in fourteen verses, while the curses require four times as much space. This is due to God's eagerness that men should be warned from courses that injure, and shut up to those that lead to blessedness. Note the language, which rises to the sublimest level, especially in the latter part. The forecasts of the dispersion and the degradation of the Hebrew people are especially remarkable.
It is not only that God goes out of His way to reward the obedient and to punish the ungodly, but these rewards and punishments are part of the nature of things, just as fire stings and burns, when we transgress its laws, but blesses when we obey. If we are at one with God, through Jesus Christ, we are at one with the universe. But if not, "the stars in their courses" fight against us. See Judges 5:20; 1 Corinthians 3:21. [source]

Chapter Summary: Deuteronomy 28

1  The blessings for obedience
15  The curses for disobedience

What do the individual words in Deuteronomy 28:34 mean?

so you shall be driven mad because of the sight your eyes which see
וְהָיִ֖יתָ מְשֻׁגָּ֑ע מִמַּרְאֵ֥ה עֵינֶ֖יךָ אֲשֶׁ֥ר תִּרְאֶֽה

וְהָיִ֖יתָ  so  you  shall  be 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive perfect, second person masculine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
מְשֻׁגָּ֑ע  driven  mad 
Parse: Verb, Pual, Participle, masculine singular
Root: שָׁגַע  
Sense: to be mad.
מִמַּרְאֵ֥ה  because  of  the  sight 
Parse: Preposition-m, Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: מַרְאֶה  
Sense: sight, appearance, vision.
עֵינֶ֖יךָ  your  eyes 
Parse: Noun, cdc, second person masculine singular
Root: עֹונָה 
Sense: eye.
תִּרְאֶֽה  see 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, second person masculine singular
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.