Deuteronomy 31 17

Deuteronomy 31:17 kjv

Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us?

Deuteronomy 31:17 nkjv

Then My anger shall be aroused against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide My face from them, and they shall be devoured. And many evils and troubles shall befall them, so that they will say in that day, 'Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?'

Deuteronomy 31:17 niv

And in that day I will become angry with them and forsake them; I will hide my face from them, and they will be destroyed. Many disasters and calamities will come on them, and in that day they will ask, 'Have not these disasters come on us because our God is not with us?'

Deuteronomy 31:17 esv

Then my anger will be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them and hide my face from them, and they will be devoured. And many evils and troubles will come upon them, so that they will say in that day, 'Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?'

Deuteronomy 31:17 nlt

Then my anger will blaze forth against them. I will abandon them, hiding my face from them, and they will be devoured. Terrible trouble will come down on them, and on that day they will say, 'These disasters have come down on us because God is no longer among us!'

Deuteronomy 31 verses

Deuteronomy 31 17 Meaning

Deuteronomy 31:17 prophetically declares God's righteous judgment against Israel should they turn away from Him. It foretells a time when His divine anger will ignite, leading to His active withdrawal—He will forsake them and hide His protecting presence. As a consequence, they will suffer great devastation, enduring severe "evils and troubles." This suffering is so intense and undeniable that it will prompt them to recognize and verbalize the spiritual root of their calamities: the absence of God's active presence and blessing among them due to their unfaithfulness. The verse establishes a clear causal link between apostasy and divine abandonment, culminating in deep national distress and self-realization.

Deuteronomy 31 17 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 31 records the final instructions and farewell address of Moses to the people of Israel as they stand on the verge of entering the Promised Land. This chapter highlights the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua, emphasizing the importance of remaining steadfast in obedience to God's covenant. Verses 14-23 contain a powerful prophetic warning directly from the Lord to Moses about Israel's future apostasy. God knows that once settled in the land, Israel will corrupt themselves by chasing after foreign gods, breaking the covenant He made with them. Verse 17, therefore, is part of this grim prophecy, outlining the precise nature of God's punitive response to their inevitable faithlessness. It sets the stage for the Song of Moses in chapter 32, which further elaborates on these prophetic warnings and Israel's future experience of judgment and restoration. The historical context is crucial: Israel is about to receive great blessings conditional upon their loyalty; this verse warns of the specific consequence when that loyalty inevitably fails, acting as a predictive mirror for much of their future history in the land. It also served as a polemic against the notion prevalent in the Ancient Near East that one's fortunes were determined by arbitrary gods or fate; here, the calamity is directly linked to Yahweh's sovereign judgment for their specific covenant breaking.

Deuteronomy 31 17 Word analysis

• Then My anger shall be kindled against them in that day,

  • Then: וְחָרָה (və·khā·rāh). Connects the coming consequence to the preceding condition of Israel's defection. It signifies a definitive cause-and-effect relationship.
  • My anger: אַפִּי (ap·pî). From aph, literally "nose" or "nostril," metaphorically refers to divine wrath due to the flaring of nostrils in anger. This is an anthropomorphism indicating a passionate, yet just, divine displeasure. It is not an arbitrary fit of rage but a holy response to deep spiritual betrayal.
  • kindled: וְחָרָה (və·khā·rāh). From the root charah, meaning "to burn," "to be hot," or "to glow." It suggests an intense, burning wrath. The word conveys the picture of a fierce fire erupting.
  • against them: Clearly identifies the recipients of this divine wrath: the apostate Israelites.
  • in that day: בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא (bay·yōwm ha·hū). Refers to a future, indeterminate, but definite period when the predicted apostasy and subsequent judgment would occur. It signifies a specific epoch of judgment. This phrase is used throughout Scripture to denote a day of the Lord's intervention, often for judgment or salvation.

• and I will forsake them

  • forsake: וַעֲזַבְתִּים (wa·‘ă·zav·tîm). From the root ‘āzav, meaning "to abandon," "to leave," "to desert." This is an active divine act of withdrawal, not merely passive absence. It implies removing divine protection, favor, and aid, leaving them vulnerable to their enemies and the consequences of their actions.

• and hide My face from them,

  • hide My face: וְהִסְתַּרְתִּי פָנַי מֵהֶם (və·his·tar·tî fā·nay mê·hem). פָּנַי (panay) is "My face," referring to God's presence, favor, and direct relationship. הִסְתַּרְתִּי (histarti) means "I will hide." This is a potent anthropomorphic expression indicating God's purposeful concealment of His favorable presence. It's a withholding of blessing, communication, and providential care. When God hides His face, it means He is no longer manifesting His presence to bless, guide, or protect them, leaving them to their own devices or the mercies of their enemies.

• and they shall be devoured,

  • devoured: וְהָיוּ לְאָכְלָה (və·hā·yū lə·’ākh·lāh). Literally "they shall become for eating" or "food." From ’ākhūl, meaning "to eat," "to consume." This denotes ruin and destruction, not just from hunger, but implying destruction by enemies, calamities, or internal strife, becoming prey to forces beyond their control. It signifies their helplessness once God's protection is withdrawn.

• and many evils and troubles shall come upon them;

  • many evils: רָעוֹת רַבּוֹת (rā‘ōwṯ rab·bōwṯ). רָעוֹת (ra’ot) are "calamities," "disasters," "harms," or "miseries." רַבּוֹת (rabbot) means "many," signifying an overwhelming number or severity of afflictions.
  • and troubles: וְצָרוֹת (wə·ṣā·rōwṯ). From tsarah, meaning "distress," "anguish," "affliction," or "straits." This adds another layer of suffering, emphasizing inner anguish and tight, constricted circumstances, beyond mere external misfortune. These are oppressive burdens that cause deep agony.

• so that they will say in that day, 'Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?'

  • so that they will say: וְאָמַר בַּיּוֹם הַהוּא (wə·’ā·mar bay·yōwm ha·hū). This phrase indicates the eventual, inevitable self-reflection and dawning realization by the people concerning the source of their suffering. It suggests a moment of clarity prompted by dire circumstances.
  • in that day: Reinforces the specific time of severe distress where this realization occurs.
  • 'Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?'
    • God is not among us: אֵין אֱלֹהֵינוּ בְּקִרְבֵּנוּ (ʾêyn ʾĕ·lō·hê·nū bə·qir·bê·nū). אֵין (eyn) means "there is not" or "no." בְּקִרְבֵּנוּ (beqirbenū) means "in our midst" or "among us." This is the critical recognition. It is not that God ceases to exist or loses power, but that His covenantal presence, protection, and active engagement with them—the hallmark of His identity as "our God"—has been withdrawn. They connect their suffering directly to this spiritual void, acknowledging His absence as the cause. This realization, while painful, is often a prerequisite for repentance.

Deuteronomy 31 17 Bonus section

The specific form of "hiding My face" as divine punishment can also be understood as God deliberately ceasing to reveal His will, grant His wisdom, or respond to prayers. This intellectual and spiritual abandonment leaves people in moral and cognitive darkness, intensifying their troubles as they cannot discern God's path forward or receive His guiding hand. Furthermore, the final question, "Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?" points to a core tenet of covenant theology: God's presence is not merely spiritual or ethereal, but manifested in concrete blessings, protection, and provision. The absence of these positive manifestations would be direct proof to them of His withdrawal. This serves as a vital pedagogical moment within God's dealings with Israel, aiming for their eventual turning back to Him by teaching them the painful truth about their source of help and salvation.

Deuteronomy 31 17 Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:17 offers a stark warning of the inevitable consequences of Israel's projected future idolatry and covenant breaking. It vividly paints a picture of divine discipline, illustrating that God's covenant blessings are contingent upon obedience, and His righteous anger is a direct response to rebellion. The verse's progression is deliberate and severe: divine anger kindles, leading to God forsaking them and hiding His face from them. These actions describe God's active withdrawal of favor and protection, leaving His people exposed. The immediate result is devastating: they are "devoured," experiencing "many evils and troubles." This isn't random misfortune but divinely allowed calamity. Crucially, the verse culminates in the people's realization of why they suffer. Their question, "Have not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?" reflects a hard-won recognition that their deepest troubles stem from their broken relationship with God. This verse prophetically encapsulates the pattern of Israel's history repeatedly documented in Judges, Samuel, Kings, and the Prophets—a cycle of sin, divine judgment, and eventual lament/realization. It underscores that true peace and security depend entirely on God's active presence, which is linked to faithful adherence to His covenant.