Deuteronomy 31 29

Deuteronomy 31:29 kjv

For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.

Deuteronomy 31:29 nkjv

For I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you. And evil will befall you in the latter days, because you will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke Him to anger through the work of your hands."

Deuteronomy 31:29 niv

For I know that after my death you are sure to become utterly corrupt and to turn from the way I have commanded you. In days to come, disaster will fall on you because you will do evil in the sight of the LORD and arouse his anger by what your hands have made."

Deuteronomy 31:29 esv

For I know that after my death you will surely act corruptly and turn aside from the way that I have commanded you. And in the days to come evil will befall you, because you will do what is evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger through the work of your hands."

Deuteronomy 31:29 nlt

I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt and will turn from the way I have commanded you to follow. In the days to come, disaster will come down on you, for you will do what is evil in the LORD's sight, making him very angry with your actions."

Deuteronomy 31 verses

Deuteronomy 31 29 Meaning

Deuteronomy 31:29 conveys Moses' divinely-imparted prophetic certainty that, after his death, the people of Israel will undoubtedly abandon the path commanded by the LORD. This deliberate turning away will lead to dire consequences, specifically that calamity and suffering will befall them in future generations. This coming judgment is directly attributed to their deliberate commitment of evil acts in the LORD's sight, thereby provoking His righteous anger through their actions, particularly their engagement in idolatry.

Deuteronomy 31 29 Context

Deuteronomy 31 is a pivotal chapter marking the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua and a solemn charge to the people of Israel before Moses' death. The immediate context of verse 29 is the LORD's direct warning to Moses and Joshua (vv. 16-22) about Israel's inevitable future apostasy, immediately after commissioning Joshua and instructing that the Law be read periodically. Moses is instructed to write down the "Song" (of Moses, Deut 32) to serve as a witness against Israel when they turn away. Verse 29 encapsulates the core prophecy that God reveals to Moses, highlighting the certainty of Israel's defection from the covenant and the subsequent divine judgment. Historically, this prophecy sets the stage for much of Israel's history recorded in Judges through the Prophets, fulfilling the pattern of disobedience, resulting calamity, and eventual return. It establishes the Deuteronomic covenant principle where fidelity brings blessing and apostasy brings curse, painting a bleak yet realistic picture of human tendency apart from divine grace.

Deuteronomy 31 29 Word analysis

• For I know: The Hebrew phrase is ki yādaʿtî (כִּי יָדַעְתִּי). The conjunction "for" (כִּי) indicates the reason or basis for the preceding statement (Moses instructing the scribes). "I know" comes from yādaʿ, signifying deep, certain, and experiential knowledge, not mere supposition. Here, it denotes a prophetic understanding given by God to Moses, indicating God's omniscience and foreknowledge of future human choices and their consequences. It underscores the divine authority and truthfulness of Moses' pronouncement.
• that after my death: ʾaḥărey motî (אַחֲרֵי מוֹתִי). This phrase pinpoints a critical transition period. It highlights the impending departure of Moses, a strong and revered leader, implying that his removal might create a void or lessen immediate accountability, leading to greater inclination toward sin. It suggests a time when the immediate, direct influence of God's chosen leader would no longer be present to guide them, testing their independent fidelity to the covenant.
• you will surely act corruptly: hašḥēt tašḥitûn (הַשְּׁחֵת תַּשְׁחִיתוּן). This is a strong Hebrew construct, a Hiphil infinitive absolute followed by a Hiphil imperfect, signifying absolute certainty and intensity. It means "you will utterly corrupt yourselves" or "you will certainly act corruptly." The root šāḥaṯ (שָׁחַת) conveys moral decay, ruin, spoiling, or destroying oneself through evil behavior, often implying a perversion of what is good and right. This anticipates their deep moral and spiritual degradation.
• and turn aside: wᵉsartem (וְסַרְתֶּם). From the root sûr (סוּר), meaning to turn aside, depart, remove. It indicates a deliberate and conscious deviation from a prescribed path or standard. In a covenant context, it refers to abandoning fidelity to God and His commandments.
• from the way that I have commanded you: min-hadereḵ ʾăšer ṣiwwîtî ʾeṯkem (מִן־הַדֶּרֶךְ אֲשֶׁר צִוִּיתִי אֶתְכֶם). "The way" (dereḵ) is a common biblical metaphor for a pattern of life, moral conduct, or adherence to God's will. "Commanded you" (צִוִּיתִי) stresses that their sin is not from ignorance but from rejecting explicit, divine instructions previously given to them by Moses from the LORD Himself.
• and evil will befall you: wᵉqāraʾatkæm hāraʿâ (וּקְרָאַתְכֶם הָרָעָה). "Evil" (rāʿâ) here refers to misfortune, disaster, calamity, or adversity, which serves as a consequence of their sin, rather than inherent moral evil. The verb qāraʾ (קָרָא), "to meet" or "to happen to," emphasizes the inevitability of the calamity coming upon them, not as an accident, but as a direct result and divine judgment for their actions.
• in the latter days: bᵉʾaḥărît hayyāmîm (בְּאַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים). This is a significant prophetic phrase often referring to a distant future period, the climactic end-time, or a final, decisive era of judgment or redemption. Here, it suggests that the full, sustained manifestation of Israel's corruption and the accompanying divine judgment will unfold over a prolonged historical period, culminating at some distinct point in the future.
• because you will do what is evil in the sight of the LORD: kî taʿăśûn ʾet-hāraʿ biʿênê YHWH (כִּי תַעֲשׂוּן אֶת־הָרַע בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה). This clause explicitly states the reason for the impending calamity. "To do what is evil" is an act of willful transgression against divine standards. "In the sight of the LORD" emphasizes that God, as the omniscient and righteous Judge, is witness to their actions, and His perfect discernment will hold them accountable.
• provoking him to anger: lᵉhakʿisô (לְהַכְעִיסוֹ). The verb kaʿas (כַּעַס) means to vex, provoke, or arouse to anger. God's anger is not a human emotion of petulance but a holy, just, and righteous indignation against sin, especially the betrayal of covenant and idolatry. It signifies His zealous opposition to evil and defense of His glory and law.
• through the work of your hands: bᵉmaʿaśēh yedêkem (בְּמַעֲשֵׂה יְדֵיכֶם). This phrase often carries strong connotations of idolatry, as people make gods with their hands (e.g., Psa 115:4, Isa 2:8). It encompasses any self-devised sinful deeds, activities, or practices that emanate from human initiative and will, in defiance of divine commands. It directly contrasts with God's perfect creation and provision, highlighting human hubris and misplaced effort.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "For I know that after my death you will surely act corruptly and turn aside from the way that I have commanded you": This initial segment functions as a divine prognosis, revealed to Moses, of Israel's assured spiritual declension following his passing. It predicts a departure from fidelity to the covenantal relationship established by God through His specific commands. The intensity of "surely act corruptly" highlights the pervasive and severe nature of their future moral and spiritual deterioration, going beyond simple missteps to deep-seated unfaithfulness.
• "and evil will befall you in the latter days, because you will do what is evil in the sight of the LORD": This establishes the direct and inescapable cause-and-effect relationship between Israel's actions and divine judgment. The "evil" is not their moral transgression per se but the consequential calamities. The phrase "in the latter days" marks this consequence as long-term and unfolding throughout their historical future, emphasizing a sustained pattern of rebellion rather than an isolated incident, all observed and judged by God.
• "provoking him to anger through the work of your hands": This concluding part specifies the active nature of their offense and its specific manifestation. Their actions are not merely negligent but actively antagonistic, igniting God's righteous wrath. "The work of your hands" predominantly refers to making and worshipping idols, which is a direct affront to the First and Second Commandments, and broadly signifies all self-devised actions that oppose God's holy character and law, emphasizing that their disobedience is a self-generated endeavor.

Deuteronomy 31 29 Bonus section

This verse, beyond predicting future apostasy, highlights a recurring theme in the biblical narrative: the divine foreknowledge of human sin coupled with humanity's real moral agency and responsibility. God's knowledge does not negate Israel's culpability; their actions are presented as choices ("you will act corruptly," "you will do what is evil").

The specificity of "after my death" emphasizes the significance of leadership in maintaining fidelity to God's law. Moses' departure leaves a void, creating a vacuum where previously suppressed tendencies towards assimilation with pagan practices might flourish. This implies that strong spiritual leadership is crucial for a community's continued obedience.

This prophecy laid the groundwork for the entire Deuteronomic theology of blessings and curses (Deut 28). The subsequent historical books (Judges, Kings) repeatedly illustrate the cycles of sin, judgment, repentance, and deliverance—each cycle confirming the veracity of this prophetic warning from Moses. The ultimate fulfillment of turning away is seen in the national idolatry that leads to the Assyrian and Babylonian exiles, as precisely warned in the curses of the Law. Yet, God's patience and enduring covenant love, while allowing judgment, always provide a path for repentance and a future hope, though not explicitly mentioned in this particular verse, it is part of the broader Deuteronomic message.

Deuteronomy 31 29 Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:29 is a profound prophetic statement delivered by Moses under divine inspiration. It unveils a somber but certain truth about Israel's future: a predictable departure from the LORD's covenant and subsequent judgment. This isn't a pessimistic guess but a revelation born of God's omniscient foresight and deep understanding of the human heart, particularly the collective tendencies of His chosen people. The "knowledge" Moses possesses is a divine insight into the pattern of human will to stray when unhindered by immediate leadership or disciplined spiritual practice.

The certainty ("surely act corruptly") underscores that Israel's corruption and turning aside ("from the way") would not be accidental but a deliberate act of perversion, rooted in their inclination towards idolatry and disobedience—the "work of their hands." This concept of their self-made "works" directly challenging God's authority and commands is central, illustrating human beings crafting their own standards or objects of worship, which inevitably "provokes God to anger." God's anger is presented not as a human flaw, but as a righteous, holy reaction to the affront to His character and covenant.

The "latter days" implies that this period of widespread apostasy and its accompanying judgment is not immediate but a protracted phase of their national history, pointing towards periods like the divided kingdom, the exile, and subsequent restorations. This verse thus serves as a theological lens through which to understand the subsequent narrative of Israel in the Old Testament, showcasing how their historical misfortunes (the "evil that will befall you") are a direct consequence of their consistent failure to remain faithful to their covenant God. This prophecy, though spoken to ancient Israel, carries universal resonance regarding the human tendency toward rebellion against divine commands and the unwavering justice of God in response to persistent unfaithfulness.