Deuteronomy 28:13 states, “The Lord will make you the head and not the tail, and you only will be above, and you will not be underneath, if you listen to the commandments of the Lord your God that I command you today, being careful to do them.” This verse is part of a larger passage in Deuteronomy 28 promising blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience to God’s laws. In this context, being the “head” and not the “tail” refers to the Israelites experiencing blessings, prosperity, and preeminence among the nations if they carefully obey God.
1. Background on Deuteronomy 28
The book of Deuteronomy contains Moses’ final instructions to the Israelites before they entered the Promised Land after 40 years of wilderness wandering. Deuteronomy 28 promises that obedience to God’s laws would result in blessings, while disobedience would lead to curses and judgment (Deut 28:1-2). The passage elaborates on the nature of the blessings for obedience (Deut 28:3-14) and the curses for disobedience (Deut 28:15-68).
The blessings included agricultural prosperity, numerous descendants, military victory, economic abundance, and preeminence among the nations (Deut 28:1-14). The curses included agricultural failures, disease, defeat, oppression, exile, and more. Thus, Deut 28 dramatizes the consequences Israel would face contingent on its covenant faithfulness to God.
2. Meaning of “Head” and “Tail” in Deut 28:13
The specific blessing in Deut 28:13 uses the metaphor of “head” and “tail” to depict Israel’s status relative to other nations. In the ancient Near East, the “head” signified what came first, the preeminent position, the beginning, or the source of something. The “tail” represented the opposite – what came last, an inferior status, the end, the bottom position (cf. Isa 9:14-15).
For example, when Israel entered Canaan, God promised them: “The Lord your God will put all these curses on your enemies who hate and persecute you” (Deut 30:7). Part of God’s promise was that Israel would be the “head” over its enemies rather than the “tail.” Similarly, being the “head” in Deut 28:13 means Israel would be preeminent among the nations in blessings, prestige, victory, and status if they obeyed God.
3. The Blessing of Preeminence for Obedience
More specifically, being the head over the tail includes several aspects:
- Economic prosperity and abundance (Deut 28:3-6, 8, 11-12)
- Military victory over enemies (Deut 28:7)
- Agricultural fertility of crops and livestock (Deut 28:4, 8, 11)
- Being a lender to many nations, not a debtor (Deut 28:12)
- Exaltation and praise from all peoples (Deut 28:9-10)
- Blessings on all endeavors in the land God gave them (Deut 28:8)
In summary, the head signified the top position of blessings, prosperity, victory, abundance, and preeminence over other nations. This elevated status would come from God as a reward for careful obedience to His commandments.
4. Examples of Israel as the Head
When obedient, Israel did enjoy times of blessing and preeminence among its neighbors. For example:
- During the reigns of David and Solomon, Israel dominated the region politically and militarily (2 Sam 8; 1 Kings 4:20-21, 24-25).
- Jehoshaphat’s reign was marked by peace, economic strength, and the fear of neighboring nations (2 Chron 17:5, 10; 20:29-30).
- Uzziah achieved military success against Philistines, Ammonites, and Meunites and became powerful (2 Chron 26:6-15).
- Hezekiah stood alone against the Assyrian empire and God decimated the Assyrian army (2 Kings 18-19).
When obedient, Israel often rose to the position of head over its enemies. Sadly, disobedience eventually led to the curses warned of in Deuteronomy 28 being fulfilled in Israel’s defeat and exile.
5. Parallels to Followers of Christ
Though Deuteronomy 28 was written specifically to ancient Israel, followers of Christ today can still learn from this promise and warning. God desires His people to enjoy the blessings of obedience rather than the curses of disobedience.
Specifically, God promises to exalt and prosper His faithful followers. For example:
- Psalm 75:6-7 – God promises to exalt the righteous.
- Psalm 112:1-3 – Blessings come to those who fear God and delight in His commandments.
- Proverbs 3:9-10 – Honoring God with wealth results in prosperity.
- Matthew 6:33 – Prioritizing God’s kingdom results in provision of needs.
- Luke 6:38 – Generosity to others brings blessing in return.
- 2 Corinthians 9:6 – Sowing generously leads to reaping generously.
While Christians today may not experience geo-political preeminence, God does desire the same dynamic of blessings for obedience within individual lives and the church. If we, like Israel, choose to disobey, we face consequences in this life and the next.
6. A Contrast of Head and Tail Imagery
A study of other “head and tail” passages provides more context on the imagery.
- Deut 28:43-44 – Disobedience would make Israel the tail subservient to foreigners.
- Isaiah 7:8-9 – Israel is warned to not reject God, or they will not stand.
- Isaiah 9:14-15 – Disobedient leaders will become the tail, led by the head of false prophets.
- Daniel 7:6 – Winged leopard with four heads represents Greek empire.
- Revelation 12:3 – The dragon has seven heads and ten horns.
- Revelation 13:1 – The beast has ten horns and seven heads.
The “head and tail” metaphor occurs often to depict leadership, hierarchy, and status. Israel obeying God would ensure they were the head, not the tail, of blessings and preeminence. But disobedience would flip the script, so to speak.
7. A Warning Against Pride in Israel’s Exalted Status
Though God promised to exalt Israel as the head over its neighbors for obedience, they were not to become prideful. Moses warned them:
Beware lest you say in your heart, ‘My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth.’ You shall remember the Lord your God, for it is he who gives you power to get wealth (Deut 8:17-18).
And God later said through Hosea: “But I am the Lord your God…who turned your prosperity into pride. You said, ‘I did this all myself’” (Hos 13:4, 6). Israel was tempted to see their exalted status among nations as self-achieved rather than bestowed by God. But He desired for them to remain humble and grateful, even as the head.
8. A Foreshadowing of Christ as the Ultimate Head
Israel occupying the position of “head” foreshadowed Jesus Christ’s later role as the ultimate Head over all. For example:
- Ephesians 4:15 – Christ is the head of the church.
- Ephesians 1:22 – God appointed Christ as head over everything.
- Colossians 1:18 – Christ is supreme head of the church and firstborn from the dead.
- Colossians 2:10 – In Christ the fullness of deity dwells bodily and believers are made complete in Him as head.
As Israel foreshadowed God’s plan of redemption and covenant, its promised status as head pointed forward to the supremacy that Christ would later perfectly fulfill. He is now the exalted King and authoritative Head over all.
9. Summary of Key Points
In summary, the key points from Deuteronomy 28:13:
- It was part of Moses’ instructions about blessings and curses for obedience vs disobedience.
- “Head” meant top position of preeminence and blessings.
- “Tail” meant bottom position of inferiority and curses.
- God promised prosperity, victory, abundance, and preeminence if Israel obeyed.
- Israel enjoyed the “head” position at times when obedient to God.
- Followers of Christ also reap blessings from obeying God.
- Ultimately Christ fulfills the role of head over all.
In the uncertain and chaotic world, God’s people can take confidence knowing that obedience leads to blessing and preeminence, through the power of Jesus Christ the Head over all.
