Deuteronomy 31:16

KJV

And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go [to be] among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} said {H559} unto Moses {H4872}, Behold, thou shalt sleep {H7901} with thy fathers {H1}; and this people {H5971} will rise up {H6965}, and go a whoring {H2181} after {H310} the gods {H430} of the strangers {H5236} of the land {H776}, whither they go {H935} to be among {H7130} them, and will forsake {H5800} me, and break {H6565} my covenant {H1285} which I have made {H3772} with them.

Complete Jewish Bible

ADONAI said to Moshe, "You are about to sleep with your ancestors. But this people will get up and offer themselves as prostitutes to the foreign gods of the land where they are going. When they are with those gods, they will abandon me and break my covenant which I have made with them.

Berean Standard Bible

And the LORD said to Moses, “You will soon rest with your fathers, and these people will rise up and prostitute themselves with the foreign gods of the land they are entering. They will forsake Me and break the covenant I have made with them.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and play the harlot after the strange gods of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 31:16 records a profoundly solemn and prophetic declaration from the LORD to Moses, revealing not only the venerable leader's impending death but also a stark, divinely foreknown warning concerning the future unfaithfulness of the Israelite nation. This pivotal verse serves as a poignant preview of the spiritual struggles, covenant betrayal, and persistent idolatry Israel would tragically embrace upon entering the Promised Land, highlighting God's perfect omniscience and the enduring human propensity to stray from divine faithfulness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed at a critical and transitional juncture within the book of Deuteronomy, specifically amidst Moses' final discourses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just prior to their long-awaited entry into Canaan. The preceding chapters, particularly [Deuteronomy 29-30](/deuteronomy/29 "Deuteronomy 29-30 - Covenant Renewal and Choice"), culminate Moses' extended exhortations, emphasizing the profound implications of covenant blessings and curses, and issuing a fervent call for repentance and unwavering obedience. [Deuteronomy 31](/deuteronomy/31 "Deuteronomy 31 - Moses' Final Instructions and Commissioning of Joshua") itself marks the formal transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua. [Deuteronomy 31:14-15](/deuteronomy/31-14-15 "Deuteronomy 31:14-15 - God Summons Moses and Joshua") immediately precedes our verse, detailing the LORD's summons of Moses and Joshua to the tabernacle, where He announces Moses' imminent death and formally commissions Joshua. Deuteronomy 31:16, therefore, is a direct divine prophecy delivered in the context of this momentous leadership handover, underscoring the gravity of Israel's future disobedience even as they stand on the very threshold of their promised inheritance. It masterfully sets the stage for the subsequent warnings, the prophetic [Song of Moses](/deuteronomy/32 "Deuteronomy 32 - The Song of Moses"), and Moses' ultimate blessing and death.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical setting for this declaration is the plains of Moab, located east of the Jordan River, around 1406 BC. The Israelites, having completed their forty-year wilderness journey, are now poised to enter the land of Canaan, a region densely populated by various pagan peoples such as the Canaanites, Hittites, and Amorites. These cultures were characterized by pervasive polytheism, often involving fertility cults, ritual prostitution, and tragically, child sacrifice. The phrase "thou shalt sleep with thy fathers" is a common and gentle biblical euphemism for death, signifying a peaceful passing and the joining of one's ancestors in the realm of the dead. This concept was deeply embedded in ancient Near Eastern cultures, reflecting a communal understanding of mortality. The prophetic warning about "going a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land" directly addresses the immense cultural and religious pressures Israel would inevitably face. Their unique covenant with Yahweh demanded exclusive loyalty, a radical departure from the syncretistic tendencies prevalent in the surrounding societies, where deities were frequently adopted or assimilated. This verse anticipates the very real temptation for Israel to abandon their distinct covenant relationship with Yahweh for the perceived benefits, social integration, or spiritual allure offered by the idolatrous practices of the land's inhabitants.

* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 31:16 contributes profoundly to several overarching theological and narrative themes found throughout Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully illustrates **Divine Foreknowledge**, revealing God's perfect, unwavering, and sovereign knowledge of Israel's future actions, even their deepest spiritual failures. This foreknowledge does not negate human responsibility but highlights God's penetrating insight into the human heart's persistent propensity to stray, a theme echoed in passages like [Psalm 139:4](/psalms/139-4 "Psalm 139:4 - God Knows Our Thoughts") and [Isaiah 46:10](/isaiah/46-10 "Isaiah 46:10 - God Declares the End from the Beginning"). Secondly, the verse underscores the critical importance of **Covenant Faithfulness**. The core of the divine warning is Israel's breaking of the solemn covenant established at Mount Sinai ([Exodus 19:5-6](/exodus/19-5-6 "Exodus 19:5-6 - Israel, a Kingdom of Priests")). By turning to foreign gods, they would "forsake me, and break my covenant," a direct violation of the foundational commands to have no other gods before Yahweh ([Deuteronomy 5:7](/deuteronomy/5-7 "Deuteronomy 5:7 - No Other Gods Before Me")). This unfaithfulness would inevitably lead to severe consequences, as meticulously outlined in the covenant curses detailed in [Deuteronomy 28:15-68](/deuteronomy/28-15-68 "Deuteronomy 28:15-68 - Curses for Disobedience"). Lastly, the vivid imagery of "going a whoring" introduces the powerful and recurring theme of **Idolatry as Spiritual Adultery**. This profound metaphor portrays Israel's relationship with God as a sacred marriage covenant, making the worship of other gods an act of profound betrayal and infidelity. This concept is frequently employed by later prophets to describe Israel's apostasy, as seen in [Jeremiah 3:6-9](/jeremiah/3-6-9 "Jeremiah 3:6-9 - Israel's Spiritual Adultery") and [Hosea 1:2](/hosea/1-2 "Hosea 1:2 - Hosea's Marriage as a Metaphor for Israel's Unfaithfulness").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **sleep (Hebrew, _shâkab'_):** From H7901, a primitive root meaning "to lie down (for rest, sexual connection, decease or any other purpose)." In this context, "sleep with thy fathers" is a well-established Hebrew euphemism for death. It signifies a peaceful passing and the joining of one's ancestors in the grave, implying a natural and expected end to life, rather than a violent or untimely one. It emphasizes continuity with past generations and suggests a collective destiny in death.
* **whoring (Hebrew, _zânâh'_):** From H2181, a primitive root meaning "to commit adultery (usually of the female, and less often of simple fornication, rarely of involuntary ravishment); figuratively, to commit idolatry (the Jewish people being regarded as the spouse of Jehovah)." In the Old Testament, this verb is consistently and powerfully used metaphorically to describe Israel's spiritual infidelity through idolatry. It vividly portrays the act of abandoning the exclusive covenant relationship with Yahweh for the worship of other gods as a profound act of betrayal and spiritual adultery, akin to a spouse breaking their marriage vows. This imagery underscores the deep personal offense and severity of idolatry in God's eyes.
* **covenant (Hebrew, _bᵉrîyth'_):** From H1285, meaning "a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh); confederacy, (con-) feder(-ate), covenant, league." This term refers to a solemn and binding agreement, often between God and humanity, involving promises, stipulations, and consequences for obedience or disobedience. Here, it specifically refers to the Mosaic Covenant established at Sinai, which defined Israel's unique relationship with Yahweh and outlined their obligations as His chosen people. Breaking this covenant implied a fundamental rupture of their sacred bond with God.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD said unto Moses,"**: This opening clause establishes the divine origin and supreme authority of the message. It is a direct, personal revelation from Yahweh (H3068, _Yᵉhôvâh_), the self-existent God, to His chosen servant, Moses (H4872, _Môsheh_), emphasizing the prophetic and authoritative nature of the words that follow.
* **"Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers;"**: This is the solemn declaration of Moses' impending death. "Sleep with thy fathers" (H7901, _shâkab_ with H1, _ʼâb_) is a common and tender euphemism for death, indicating that Moses' earthly journey and leadership were drawing to a close. It signifies a natural, peaceful end to his life, joining the lineage of his ancestors who had also passed on.
* **"and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go [to be] among them,"**: This is the core of the prophecy regarding Israel's future unfaithfulness. "This people" (H5971, _ʻam_) refers to the Israelites, whom Moses has led for forty years. "Rise up" (H6965, _qûwm_) suggests an active, deliberate turning away. "Go a whoring" (H2181, _zânâh_) is a powerful metaphor for spiritual adultery, indicating their abandonment of Yahweh for the worship of foreign deities. "Gods of the strangers" (H430, _ʼĕlôhîym_ with H5236, _nêkâr_) refers to the pagan idols and cults of the Canaanites and other nations they would encounter and settle among (H776, _ʼerets_), highlighting the external temptations and corrupting influences.
* **"and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them."**: This concluding clause explicitly states the consequence and nature of their "whoring." To "forsake me" (H5800, _ʻâzab_) means to abandon Yahweh, the one true God who delivered them from Egypt and sustained them in the wilderness. To "break my covenant" (H6565, _pârar_ with H1285, _bᵉrîyth_) signifies a direct violation of the sacred agreement established at Sinai, particularly the first two commandments against idolatry and worshipping other gods. This demonstrates that their idolatry is not merely a cultural adoption but a profound act of rebellion against their divine suzerain, the God who "made" (H3772, _kârath_) this covenant with them.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 31:16 employs several potent literary devices to convey its weighty and poignant message. The phrase "thou shalt **sleep** with thy fathers" is a classic example of **Euphemism**, softening the stark reality of death and presenting it as a peaceful rest or joining of one's ancestors. This gentle phrasing stands in stark contrast to the severe warning that immediately follows. The most prominent device is **Metaphor**, where Israel's future idolatry is vividly depicted as "going a **whoring**." This powerful imagery likens the sacred covenant between God and Israel to a marriage, making their worship of other gods an act of spiritual adultery and profound betrayal. This metaphor underscores the intimacy of the relationship God desired and the depth of the offense incurred by their unfaithfulness. Furthermore, the entire verse functions as a **Prophecy** or **Foreshadowing**, as it divinely reveals future events—Moses' death and Israel's subsequent apostasy—before they occur. This highlights God's omniscience and His sovereign control over history, even over human choices. Finally, the direct address from "the LORD" to Moses, conveying a personal warning and lament, can be seen as a form of **Anthropomorphism**, attributing human-like communication and emotional foresight to God in a way that makes His divine perspective relatable.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 31:16 stands as a stark testament to the persistent tension between divine foreknowledge and human free will, while profoundly underscoring the sanctity and exclusivity of God's covenant. God, in His omniscience, knows Israel's future inclination towards idolatry, yet this foreknowledge does not absolve them of responsibility for their choices. The prophecy highlights the tragic and cyclical pattern of sin, judgment, and eventual repentance that would plague Israel throughout their history, demonstrating humanity's deep-seated propensity to turn from the true God towards created things or false deities. This spiritual adultery, vividly depicted as "whoring," is the ultimate betrayal of the exclusive covenant relationship Yahweh initiated, revealing the depth of His jealousy for His people's devotion and the seriousness of breaking faith with Him. The verse thus serves as a foundational warning, not only for ancient Israel but for all who enter into covenant with God, emphasizing the constant need for vigilance against spiritual compromise and the alluring temptations of worldly idols. It reminds us that true worship demands exclusive devotion.

* [Judges 2:11-13](/judges/2-11-13 "Judges 2:11-13 - Israel Forsakes the LORD")
* [Jeremiah 3:6-9](/jeremiah/3-6-9 "Jeremiah 3:6-9 - Israel's Spiritual Adultery")
* [Hosea 1:2](/hosea/1-2 "Hosea 1:2 - Hosea's Marriage as a Metaphor for Israel's Unfaithfulness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 31:16 offers timeless and piercing lessons for believers today, serving as a profound reminder of the enduring human struggle with faithfulness and the ever-present temptation of idolatry. Just as ancient Israel was lured by "the gods of the strangers," modern society presents its own insidious forms of idolatry—materialism, self-worship, the relentless pursuit of power, comfort, technological obsession, or even ideologies that subtly replace God as the ultimate source of meaning and security. This verse calls us to profound introspection: what are the "strangers of the land" in our own lives that compete for our ultimate devotion, subtly or overtly dethroning God from His rightful place? Our relationship with God, established through Christ, is a new covenant, a sacred bond of grace and truth. We are called to exclusive faithfulness, recognizing that any spiritual infidelity grieves the Holy Spirit and diminishes our capacity to experience God's fullness. The passage reveals a consistent human tendency to stray, even after experiencing God's profound faithfulness and miraculous deliverance. This should lead us not to despair, but to humility, a greater reliance on God's sustaining grace, and an active, daily pursuit of His will and presence. It compels us to guard our hearts with diligence, recognizing the seriousness of our walk with God and the constant need to resist the subtle and overt forms of idolatry that seek to usurp His sovereignty in our lives.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "strangers of the land" (modern idols or distractions) are most tempting in my life, seeking to draw my ultimate devotion away from God?**
* **How does understanding God's foreknowledge of Israel's unfaithfulness impact my view of His grace, patience, and unwavering love towards humanity, including myself?**
* **In what practical ways can I actively guard my heart against spiritual compromise and cultivate a deeper, more exclusive faithfulness to God in my daily life?**
* **How does the metaphor of "whoring" for idolatry help me understand the depth of God's desire for an intimate and exclusive relationship with His people, and what does this mean for my own walk with Him?**

### FAQ
**Does God's foreknowledge of Israel's unfaithfulness negate their responsibility for their actions?**

Answer: No, God's foreknowledge does not negate human responsibility. Deuteronomy 31:16 demonstrates God's omniscience—He knows all things, past, present, and future. However, this divine knowledge does not compel human choices. The Israelites still possessed free will and the capacity to choose obedience or disobedience. God's warning through Moses serves as a testament to His perfect understanding of human nature and the temptations they would face, but it also functions as a solemn call to vigilance and faithfulness. The prophecy is not a decree that forces their sin, but an accurate prediction of the choices they would freely make, underscoring the gravity of those choices and the consequences that would follow. The entire book of [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "Deuteronomy - The Second Law") is a passionate call to choose life and obedience, demonstrating that responsibility rests squarely on the people.

**Why is idolatry described as "going a whoring" or spiritual adultery?**

Answer: The description of idolatry as "going a whoring" (spiritual adultery) is a powerful and frequently used metaphor throughout the Old Testament, particularly by the prophets. It stems from the understanding that the covenant relationship between Yahweh and Israel was likened to a marriage. God, as the divine husband, had chosen Israel as His bride, entering into a sacred, exclusive, and intimate bond with them at Mount Sinai. Just as a wife's infidelity (adultery) is a profound betrayal of her marriage vows and a deep wound to her husband, Israel's turning to other gods was considered a profound act of spiritual unfaithfulness and betrayal against Yahweh, their one true God. This metaphor emphasizes the personal and relational nature of their sin, highlighting the depth of God's love, His righteous jealousy for their exclusive devotion, and the severity of their abandonment of Him. It is used in books like [Jeremiah 3](/jeremiah/3 "Jeremiah 3 - Israel's Spiritual Adultery") and [Hosea 1-3](/hosea/1 "Hosea 1-3 - Hosea's Marriage and Israel's Unfaithfulness") to vividly portray Israel's apostasy and the pain it caused God.

**How did this prophecy of Israel's unfaithfulness play out in their history?**

Answer: Sadly, the prophecy of Deuteronomy 31:16 found extensive and tragic fulfillment throughout Israel's subsequent history, as documented in various books of the Old Testament. Upon entering the Promised Land, the Israelites repeatedly succumbed to the allure of the pagan gods of the Canaanites and surrounding nations, adopting their idolatrous practices, fertility cults, and even child sacrifice. The book of [Judges](/judges/1 "Judges - Cycles of Disobedience and Deliverance") provides numerous examples of this cycle: Israel would forsake the LORD, serve Baal and Ashtoreth ([Judges 2:11-13](/judges/2-11-13 "Judges 2:11-13 - Israel's Idolatry")), fall under oppression, cry out to God, and then be delivered by a judge, only to repeat the pattern. The books of [1 and 2 Kings](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings - The Divided Kingdom") and [1 and 2 Chronicles](/1_chronicles/1 "1 Chronicles - Genealogies and David's Reign") recount the persistent idolatry of both the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah, leading eventually to their respective exiles in Assyria and Babylon. The prophets, from [Isaiah](/isaiah/1 "Isaiah - Prophecies of Judgment and Salvation") to [Malachi](/malachi/1 "Malachi - Prophecies of Judgment and Restoration"), consistently denounced Israel's spiritual adultery and called them back to covenant faithfulness. This historical trajectory tragically confirms the divine foresight revealed in Deuteronomy 31:16, demonstrating the enduring truth of God's word.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 31:16, with its somber prophecy of Israel's inevitable unfaithfulness and covenant-breaking, powerfully sets the stage for the necessity of a new and better covenant, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. The Old Covenant, though good and holy, could not transform the human heart's innate propensity to "go a whoring" after idols and forsake God, as evidenced by Israel's consistent failure throughout their history. This verse highlights humanity's desperate need for a divine intervention that addresses the root problem of sin and a broken will. Jesus Christ enters this narrative as the perfect covenant-keeper, the faithful Israelite who perfectly fulfilled the Law where Israel failed ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Christ Fulfills the Law")). He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world ([John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")), bearing the curse of the broken covenant on our behalf ([Galatians 3:13](/galatians/3-13 "Galatians 3:13 - Christ Redeemed Us from the Curse of the Law")). Through His atoning sacrifice on the cross, Christ inaugurates the New Covenant, prophesied in [Jeremiah 31:31-34](/jeremiah/31-31-34 "Jeremiah 31:31-34 - The New Covenant"), where God's law is written not on tablets of stone but on the hearts of His people, and their sins are remembered no more. This New Covenant, established through His blood ([Luke 22:20](/luke/22-20 "Luke 22:20 - The New Covenant in My Blood")), provides the Holy Spirit who empowers believers to live in faithfulness, overcoming the very "whoring" tendencies that plagued ancient Israel. Thus, Deuteronomy 31:16, while a warning of historical failure, ultimately points to the profound grace and redemptive power found in Christ, who provides the means for true and lasting covenant faithfulness and a restored relationship with God.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Judges 10:6

¶ And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him.

Judges 2:12

And they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them out of the land of Egypt, and followed other gods, of the gods of the people that [were] round about them, and bowed themselves unto them, and provoked the LORD to anger.

Judges 10:13

Yet ye have forsaken me, and served other gods: wherefore I will deliver you no more.

Exodus 34:15

Lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they go a whoring after their gods, and do sacrifice unto their gods, and [one] call thee, and thou eat of his sacrifice;

Revelation 19:2

For true and righteous [are] his judgments: for he hath judged the great whore, which did corrupt the earth with her fornication, and hath avenged the blood of his servants at her hand.

Ezekiel 16:15

¶ But thou didst trust in thine own beauty, and playedst the harlot because of thy renown, and pouredst out thy fornications on every one that passed by; his it was.

Jeremiah 2:11

Hath a nation changed [their] gods, which [are] yet no gods? but my people have changed their glory for [that which] doth not profit.