Charles Ellicott Commentary


Charles Ellicott Commentary
"Jehovah will smite thee with consumption, and with fever, and with inflammation, and with fiery heat, and with the sword, and with blasting, and with mildew; and they shall pursue thee until thou perish." — Deuteronomy 28:22 (ASV)
Consumption. — Only here and in Leviticus 26:16. “With which the flesh is consumed and puffed out” (Rashi).
Fever. — Only here and in Leviticus 26:16, where it is rendered “burning ague”. (Compare to Deuteronomy 32:22: A fire is kindled in mine anger.)
Inflammation. — Here only. The word is derived from a verb signifying to burn, or pursue hotly, like a fire that hastens on its way. “A heat greater than the fever” (Rashi).
Extreme burning. — Here only. “A disease which heats the body inwardly” (Rashi).
Blasting and mildew. — I have smitten you with blasting and with mildew (Amos 4:9, same words). (See also 1 Kings 8:37, where pestilence, blasting, and mildew” are contemplated as possibilities, very probably in view of this curse. Also Haggai 2:17.)