The Meaning of Deuteronomy 28:50 Explained

Deuteronomy 28:50

KJV: A nation of fierce countenance, which shall not regard the person of the old, nor shew favour to the young:

YLT: a nation -- fierce of countenance -- which accepteth not the face of the aged, and the young doth not favour;

Darby: a nation of fierce countenance, which regardeth not the person of the old, nor is kind to the young;

ASV: a nation of fierce countenance, that shall not regard the person of the old, nor show favor to the young,

KJV Reverse Interlinear

A nation  of fierce  countenance,  which shall not regard  the person  of the old,  nor shew favour  to the young: 

What does Deuteronomy 28:50 Mean?

Context Summary

Deuteronomy 28:47-68 - The Bitter Fruits Of Disobeying God
These predictions against the Hebrew people were partially fulfilled in earlier invasions, as for instance, those of Nebuchadnezzar and his generals; but it is to the Roman conquest of Judea that we must look for complete fulfillment. One only needs to compare these words with the narrative of Josephus to see the exact accomplishment which took place during the wars of Vespasian and Titus. The Jews themselves admit this. Deuteronomy 28:68 was literally fulfilled when Titus transported myriads of Jews to Egypt to be employed in the public works or to fight in the amphitheater.
But if the punishments have been so heavily suffered during these weary centuries, what shall not be the joy when the Lord shall bring back His people to their own land, and all Israel shall be saved! What is this new Euphrates Valley railway but the preparing of the road for their return from the Eastern portions of the world! In the near future, our children, if not we, shall see a fulfillment of Isaiah 60:1-22; Isaiah 61:1-11. See Acts 3:19-20. [source]

Chapter Summary: Deuteronomy 28

1  The blessings for obedience
15  The curses for disobedience

What do the individual words in Deuteronomy 28:50 mean?

A nation of fierce countenance which not does respect the person the elderly and the young nor show favor to
גּ֖וֹי עַ֣ז פָּנִ֑ים אֲשֶׁ֨ר לֹא־ יִשָּׂ֤א פָנִים֙ לְזָקֵ֔ן וְנַ֖עַר לֹ֥א יָחֹֽן

גּ֖וֹי  A  nation 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: גֹּוי 
Sense: nation, people.
עַ֣ז  of  fierce 
Parse: Adjective, masculine singular construct
Root: עַז 
Sense: strong, mighty, fierce.
פָּנִ֑ים  countenance 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
יִשָּׂ֤א  does  respect 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: נָשָׂא  
Sense: to lift, bear up, carry, take.
פָנִים֙  the  person 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
לְזָקֵ֔ן  the  elderly 
Parse: Preposition-l, Adjective, masculine singular
Root: זָקֵן  
Sense: old.
וְנַ֖עַר  and  the  young 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Noun, masculine singular
Root: נַעַר  
Sense: a boy, lad, servant, youth, retainer.
לֹ֥א  nor 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
יָחֹֽן  show  favor  to 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: חָנַן 
Sense: to be gracious, show favour, pity.