After describing the renewal of the covenant for the time when Israel enters Canaan, the text returns to the plains of Moab, where Moses one more time reminds Israel of the blessings and curses. In 28:3–6, six successive phrases begin in Hebrew with “blessed.” In verses 16–19, there are six corresponding curses (though the third and fourth are interchanged). Again, in their total the blessings and curses match the number of the tribes, but the curses give the reversal of the very things promised in the blessings.

The exposition of blessings is given in a chiastic pattern in v…