Deuteronomy 32:29 kjv
O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!
Deuteronomy 32:29 nkjv
Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, That they would consider their latter end!
Deuteronomy 32:29 niv
If only they were wise and would understand this and discern what their end will be!
Deuteronomy 32:29 esv
If they were wise, they would understand this; they would discern their latter end!
Deuteronomy 32:29 nlt
Oh, that they were wise and could understand this!
Oh, that they might know their fate!
Deuteronomy 32 29 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Prov 1:7 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom... | Wisdom and its source |
| Prov 9:10 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is insight. | Foundation of true understanding |
| Jer 9:24 | Let him who boasts boast in this, that he understands and knows me... | Understanding God Himself is true wisdom |
| Eph 1:17 | ...that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation... | Prayer for spiritual insight and revelation |
| Col 1:9 | ...praying that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding... | Knowledge of God's will leading to wisdom |
| Jas 1:5 | If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God... | God as the generous source of wisdom |
| Ps 81:13 | Oh, that My people would listen to Me, that Israel would walk in My ways! | God's desire for His people's obedience |
| Isa 48:18 | Oh that you had paid attention to My commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river... | God's yearning for obedience leading to blessing |
| Luke 13:34 | O Jerusalem, Jerusalem... How often would I have gathered your children together... and you would not! | Jesus's lament over spiritual refusal |
| Lam 1:9 | Her uncleanness was in her skirts; she took no thought of her future; therefore her fall was dreadful... | Failure to consider the end results in ruin |
| Isa 47:7 | ...you did not lay these things to heart or remember your latter end. | Failure to ponder consequences leads to downfall |
| Prov 14:12 | There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death. | Importance of discerning ultimate outcomes |
| Prov 29:18 | Where there is no prophetic vision, the people cast off restraint... | Consequences of lack of foresight |
| Eccl 7:8 | Better is the end of a thing than its beginning... | The importance of concluding well |
| Jer 5:31 | ...what will you do at the end of it? | Impending accountability |
| Phil 3:19 | Their end is destruction, their god is their belly... | The grim end of those opposing God |
| Heb 9:27 | And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgment, | Ultimate human destiny: death and judgment |
| Rom 2:5-8 | ...because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath... | The consequences of a hardened heart |
| 2 Cor 13:5 | Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith... | Call to self-reflection and spiritual scrutiny |
| Deut 4:6 | Keep them and do them, for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples... | Obedience to God as true wisdom |
| Hos 4:6 | My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge... | Devastating effects of spiritual ignorance |
| Matt 7:13-14 | Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction... | Two paths, two destinies |
Deuteronomy 32 verses
Deuteronomy 32 29 Meaning
This verse is an earnest divine lament, expressing God's profound desire for His people, Israel, to possess genuine spiritual wisdom and deep understanding. He wishes they would truly grasp the consequences of their disobedience and idolatry, considering their ultimate future and destiny in light of His covenant and His justice.
Deuteronomy 32 29 Context
This verse is situated within Moses's prophetic "Song of the Witness" in Deuteronomy chapter 32, delivered to the Israelites just before his death. This song serves as a covenant oath, recounting God's faithful care for Israel contrasted with Israel's future rebellion, and outlining the resultant divine judgment and ultimate restoration. The lament in verse 29 comes after a detailed description of Israel's unfaithfulness and God's powerful acts of vengeance and correction against them. The broader historical context is the brink of entering the Promised Land, with Moses laying down a solemn charge that will echo through Israel's history as a testimony. It aims to forewarn and call for a sober reflection on God's character, their covenant obligations, and the severe, yet just, consequences of their inevitable turning away from Him to foreign gods, highlighting the stark choice between life and death.
Deuteronomy 32 29 Word analysis
- Oh that: Hebrew: מִי יִתֵּן (mi yitten). This is an emphatic, rhetorical expression typically translated as "Who will give...?" or "Would that...!" It strongly conveys a fervent wish, a deep yearning, and often, a lament or profound regret, expressing God's heartfelt desire for His people to choose a different path.
- they were wise: Hebrew: יַשְׂכִּילֻוּ (yaskilu). This is from the root שָׂכַל (sakhal), meaning to be prudent, act intelligently, prosper, understand, or have insight. It signifies more than intellectual acuity; it denotes practical wisdom leading to right conduct, good discernment, and a successful spiritual walk, sharply contrasting with the folly of idolatry and disobedience mentioned earlier in the Song.
- that they understood this: Hebrew: יָבִינוּ זֹאת (yavinu zot). From the root בִּין (bin), "to understand," combined with זֹאת (zot), "this." This indicates a call for deep, discerning comprehension, not just surface-level knowledge. "This" refers to the entire message Moses delivers in the song, particularly the true nature of God, the covenant, the reality of divine judgment for sin, and the utter futility of turning to idols.
- that they would consider: Hebrew: יָבִינוּ (yavinu). This is the same verb as "understood," בִּין (bin), used again. The repetition emphasizes that deep understanding should lead to thoughtful contemplation, reflection, and careful deliberation on the implications of truth. It suggests actively internalizing the information to impact their choices and direction, not merely passive reception.
- their latter end: Hebrew: אַחֲרִיתָם (ʾakhăritam). This term means "their ultimate outcome," "their future," "their destiny," or "the conclusion of their ways." In this context, it predominantly points to the dire, often calamitous, consequences of unfaithfulness and disobedience that await them, referring to the inevitable divine judgment and destruction described within the Song, contrasted with the blessings that would come from obedience.
Words-group by words-group analysis
- "Oh that they were wise, that they understood this": This phrase expresses God's yearning for Israel to develop spiritual discernment and apply practical wisdom rooted in His revelation. It laments their present spiritual dullness, indicating that despite their history with God and His explicit commandments, they had failed to grasp the fundamental truths concerning their relationship with Him.
- "understood this, that they would consider their latter end": This sequence highlights a crucial progression from deep comprehension to proactive, introspective foresight. The desired understanding of "this" (God's justice and the consequences of sin) should directly lead them to ponder deeply and soberly their ultimate destiny. This profound reflection is meant to awaken them to the eternal significance of their present choices, urging them to choose faithfulness and avoid destruction.
Deuteronomy 32 29 Bonus section
- The divine wish "Oh that..." (מִי יִתֵּן) highlights God's grief and love, demonstrating that judgment is not His preferred outcome, but a consequence of persistent disobedience. It emphasizes His desire for reconciliation and their spiritual well-being over strict retribution.
- While "latter end" (אַחֲרִיתָם) in this verse primarily implies judgment due to sin, the same Hebrew term elsewhere (e.g., Jer 29:11) can denote hope, restoration, or a blessed future for the righteous or the repentant remnant. This linguistic versatility underscores the conditional nature of Israel's "latter end," dependent on their choices, revealing that the potential for a positive outcome always remained open through wisdom and repentance.
- The profound lack of spiritual wisdom and discernment depicted here ultimately sets the stage for the prophetic ministry throughout Israel's history, as God repeatedly sends prophets to remind His people of "this"—His character, their covenant obligations, and their impending "latter end" if they do not turn back to Him.
Deuteronomy 32 29 Commentary
Deuteronomy 32:29 unveils the deep anguish of God's heart over His people's spiritual ignorance and recalcitrance. It is a divine wish, conveying His profound desire for Israel to not just hear but truly embody wisdom and understanding. The plea for them to "consider their latter end" is a desperate call for foresight—for them to comprehend the certain and severe consequences of their unfaithfulness, idolatry, and rebellion against His covenant. This verse emphasizes that true wisdom involves discerning the future outcome of one's choices, particularly concerning their eternal standing with God. It implicitly warns that failure to heed God's instruction and to ponder the ultimate destiny of one's path inevitably leads to ruin, despite God's yearning for their prosperity. This message transcends ancient Israel, challenging all believers to reflect deeply on their obedience and its spiritual ramifications, living with an eternal perspective rooted in Christ.