“39 Diseases” in Deuteronomy 28

It is widely accepted or understood that Jesus was whipped with 39 lashes at the Roman whipping post, as this was the typical amount administered to a criminal by the Romans. Since it was believed that forty lashes would kill a person, one would be whipped thirty-nine times. Scripture testifies of the Messiah that “by His stripes we are/were healed” (see Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24). Some have inferred that since Jesus’ lashings at the Roman whipping post atone (or make the divine legal provision) for the healing of all our diseases, then each lash can represent a specific type of disease.

Is there a list of the 39 types of diseases for which Jesus’ 39 stripes were administered? After doing a brief Google search on the matter and looking at a couple top results, it seems that any list of 39 types of disease may be subject to interpretation. Currently, it seems to me that the amount of disease types there are may depend upon one’s method of classification. There are a number of systems within the human body as well as a number of organs and body parts. In light of the mind-body connection, mental disorders likewise frequently come with their own various physiological manifestations.

After looking at a couple articles about 39 diseases in the Bible, I had the impression to count the diseases listed in Deuteronomy 28. This is the chapter of the Bible that lists the blessings for obedience to God and the curses that follow disobedience. As it turned out, in the crude way that I classified them, I counted 39 types of diseases and psychosomatic conditions. Since this list is subjective, one may count a different number based on their own reading of the text or method of disease classification. Thus, the purpose of this list is simply to give a general overview of those diseases and conditions that may come upon a person who does not live in obedience to God’s voice (see Deuteronomy 28:15; Romans 8:13; Galatians 6:7-8). 

  1. Cursed shall be the fruit of your body [offspring] (v. 18)

This can refer to diseases and conditions that develop prenatally in the womb. Stress and fear within the mother can be passed on to the child, and excess cortisol drip can result in a compromised immune system and disease, so it is important for pregnant mothers to be vigilant against fear and anxiety as they firmly trust God throughout the entire pregnancy (see 1 Peter 3:6; 1 John 4:18). 

  1. Cursing (v. 20)

Cursing itself is not a physical disease. However, Romans 3:13-14 speaks of sinful people that “the poison of asps is under their lips,” “whose mouth is full of cursing and bitterness.” Hebrews 12:15 warns believers in Jesus to be careful that no “root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled.” (NKJV) Bitterness and unforgiveness can manifest in health problems, eating away at one’s body like a cancer. In light of this mind-body connection, “cursing” has been included in this list. 

  1. Confusion (v. 20)
  2. The plague [pestilence] (v. 21)
  3. Consumption (v. 22)
  4. Fever (v. 22)
  5. Inflammation (v. 22)
  6. Severe burning fever (v. 22)
  7. The sword (v. 22)

In context, “the sword” is likely referring to the literal swords of Israel’s enemy tribes, similar to the physical swords used to kill the apostles James and Paul. However, sometimes the Bible uses “sword” metaphorically to describe the spiritual attacks and their physiological manifestations. For instance, Proverbs 12:18 says that reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing (my paraphrase). By implication, wise words can bring healing from the wounds inflicted by the harsh, condemning, reckless words of another. Physical disease symptoms can manifest as one mentally reels from the blows and festering wounds from another’s hurtful words, but wise words can remove and replace those lies, bringing about physical health and healing. 

  1. Scorching [blight] (v. 22)
  2. Mildew (v. 22)

Mildew or mold itself is not a physical disease, although one could develop disease symptoms or allergic reactions to excess mildew if their immune system is compromised. 

  1. The boils of Egypt (v. 27)
  2. Tumors (v. 27)
  3. The scab (v. 27)
  4. The itch (v. 27)
  5. Madness (v. 28)
  6. Blindness (v. 28)
  7. Confusion of heart (v. 28)
  8. You shall be only oppressed and crushed continually (v. 33)

Proverbs 17:22 says that a joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones (my paraphrase). The immune system is largely contained within the bone marrow. By implication, a broken heart or a crushed spirit compromises the immune system as the bone marrow dries up, thereby short-circuiting the body’s defense system against sickness and disease. That dried up bones are connected to sickness can be inferred by the Hebrew parallelism of the first part of the verse, which states that a joyful heart works good like a cure or medicine.  

  1. Driven mad because of the sight which your eyes see (v. 34)
  2. Strike you in the knees and on the legs with severe boils which cannot be healed, and from the sole of your foot to the top of your head (v. 35)
  3. Worms (v. 38)

Although in this verse, “the worms” is referring to worms that eat away at grapevines rather than at the human body, parasitic worms are one category or cause of disease within the physical body. As Job likewise experienced, Deuteronomy 28:35 describes elephantiasis as boils from the top of one’s head to the soles of one’s feet. This disease is caused by the spread of parasitic roundworms, transmitted by the bite of a mosquito. 

  1. Hunger (v. 48)
  2. Thirst (v. 48)
  3. Nakedness, in need of everything (v. 48)

As noted by Derek Prince, Jesus experienced hunger, thirst, nakedness, and complete material lack when he was hung on the cross. In so doing, he experienced in full these curses of Deuteronomy 28. [Probable source: Blessing or Curse: You Can Choose by Derek Prince]

Although hunger, thirst, nakedness, and lack are not diseases, long-term they can result in weakness and death if those basic needs never get met after a prolonged period. 

  1. A yoke of iron on your neck until He has destroyed you (v. 48)

Proverbs 29:1 says that “He who is often rebuked, and hardens his neck, will suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” (NKJV) A hard neck, or a stubborn refusal to submit to God’s leadership and commands, can invite destruction into one’s life. God doesn’t want us to be destroyed because of our own stubborn rebellion, but He desires for us to experience His grace and blessings when our will (or neck) is submitted to His good, pleasing, and perfect will (see Proverbs 1:8-9; 3:1-3, 21-22; 6:20-22).

  1. Your enemy shall distress you at all your gates (v. 57)

Some have described the body as having various “gates” through which we take things into our physical bodies and well as our souls. E.g. “The eye gate,” “ear gate,” “mouth gate,” “nose gate,” etc. Metaphorically-speaking, one’s enemy distressing you “at all your gates” can then refer to experiencing difficulty with one’s faculties of hearing, sight, taste, sense of touch, etc. Like the boy with a “deaf and mute spirit” which Jesus cast out of him, various invisible beings can distress a person through communication disorders as well as intrusive thoughts (see Mark 9:25).

  1. Extraordinary plagues (v. 59)
  2. Great and prolonged plagues (v. 59)
  3. Serious and prolonged sicknesses (v. 59)
  4. All the diseases of Egypt, of which you were afraid (v. 60)
  5. Every sickness and every plague, which is not written in the Book of the Law (v. 61)
  6. A trembling heart (v. 65)
  7. Failing eyes (v. 65)
  8. Anguish of soul (v. 65)
  9. Your life shall hang in doubt before you (v. 66)
  10. You shall fear day and night (v. 66)
  11. And have no assurance of life (v. 66)
  12. The fear which terrifies your heart (v. 67)

This crude summary of 39 manifestations of disease, sickness, or unpleasant physiological manifestations is to provide a general overview of the effects of spiritual separation from God or from His ways. God does not desire for people to experience any of these “curses.” For that reason, God became a Man and made it possible for us to be free indeed from all these curses. However, we are responsible for relating to God in such a way that His blessings can come to pass in our lives. Doing things our own way will short-circuit His blessings and prevent them from manifesting, no matter how godly we may otherwise consider ourselves to be. 

For more information on what it looks like to know God personally, see “Four Spiritual Laws for Healing a Broken Heart.”