Deuteronomy 31:21

KJV

And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.

KJV (with Strong's)

And it shall come to pass, when many {H7227} evils {H7451} and troubles {H6869} are befallen {H4672} them, that this song {H7892} shall testify {H6030} against {H6440} them as a witness {H5707}; for it shall not be forgotten {H7911} out of the mouths {H6310} of their seed {H2233}: for I know {H3045} their imagination {H3336} which they go about {H6213}, even now {H3117}, before I have brought {H935} them into the land {H776} which I sware {H7650}.

Complete Jewish Bible

then, after many calamities and troubles have come upon them, this song will testify before them as a witness, because their descendants will still be reciting it and will not have forgotten it. For I know how they think even now, even before I have brought them into the land about which I swore."

Berean Standard Bible

And when many troubles and afflictions have come upon them, this song will testify against them, because it will not be forgotten from the lips of their descendants. For I know their inclination, even before I bring them into the land that I swore to give them.”

American Standard Version

And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are come upon them, that this song shall testify before them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they frame this day, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 31:21 profoundly unveils God's omniscient foreknowledge of Israel's future apostasy and the strategic role of a divinely inspired song as an enduring witness against their disobedience. It underscores the Lord's perfect understanding of humanity's inherent inclination toward rebellion, even before the Israelites fully possess the Promised Land, demonstrating His sovereign wisdom in preparing a perpetual testimony to His faithfulness and their covenantal obligations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within Moses' final discourses to the Israelites, delivered just before his death and their entry into the Promised Land under Joshua's leadership. The immediate preceding verses detail God's command to Moses and Joshua to write down this specific song and teach it to the people, ensuring it remains in their mouths as a witness against them (Deuteronomy 31:19). The song itself is recorded in its entirety in [Deuteronomy 32](/deuteronomy/32 "Deuteronomy 32 - The Song of Moses"), serving as a powerful prophetic indictment and a historical record. This passage also follows the formal commissioning of Joshua and the reiteration of the covenant stipulations, setting the stage for the inevitable challenges and temptations Israel would face in the land. The song's placement emphasizes its critical role as a prophetic and legal document designed to hold future generations accountable.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The Israelites are on the cusp of entering Canaan, a land inhabited by pagan nations with idolatrous practices. The Mosaic Covenant, recently reaffirmed, outlined severe consequences for disobedience, including "evils and troubles" (Deuteronomy 28:15-68). In ancient Near Eastern legal traditions, a "witness" (עֵד, _'ed_) played a crucial role in establishing truth and guilt, often involving physical objects or enduring testimonies. The concept of a song as a witness was not entirely foreign, as oral traditions and poetic forms were potent means of preserving history, law, and prophecy. God's command to Moses to write this song anticipates Israel's future moral decline, providing a legal and prophetic document that would justify divine judgment when it inevitably came, ensuring that future generations would be without excuse regarding their covenantal responsibilities.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 31:21 powerfully articulates several core themes prevalent throughout Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. Firstly, **Divine Foreknowledge** is paramount, as God declares His perfect understanding of Israel's future "imagination" or inclination toward sin, even before they have fully settled in the land He promised ([Deuteronomy 31:20](/deuteronomy/31-20 "Deuteronomy 31:20 - God's Foreknowledge of Israel's Rebellion")). This highlights God's omniscience, which transcends time and human free will. Secondly, the **Song as a Witness** emphasizes the enduring nature of God's Word and its function as a perpetual testimony. This song is not merely a historical record but a living legal document that would "testify against them" ([Deuteronomy 31:21](/deuteronomy/31-21 "Deuteronomy 31:21 - The Song as a Witness")) when they strayed, serving as a constant reminder of their covenant obligations and the consequences of their actions, as detailed in the curses of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Thirdly, the theme of **Covenant Faithfulness and Human Failure** is starkly presented. Despite God's unwavering commitment to His covenant promises, He foresees Israel's inherent tendency to break faith, a recurring motif from the wilderness wanderings ([Numbers 14:11](/numbers/14-11 "Numbers 14:11 - Israel's Rebellion")) to the warnings in [Deuteronomy 9](/deuteronomy/9 "Deuteronomy 9 - Israel's Rebellion")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Imagination (Hebrew, _yêtser'_):** The Hebrew word יֵצֶר (H3336, _yêtser_) refers to a "form," "conception," "purpose," or "inclination." It derives from the verb יָצַר (_yatsar_), meaning "to form" or "to fashion," often used in the context of a potter shaping clay. Here, it describes the inner bent or disposition of the heart and mind. In biblical theology, _yêtser_ often carries a negative connotation, referring to the evil inclination of humanity, as seen in [Genesis 6:5](/genesis/6-5 "Genesis 6:5 - The Wickedness of Humanity") and [Genesis 8:21](/genesis/8-21 "Genesis 8:21 - The Imagination of Man's Heart"). In Deuteronomy 31:21, God's knowledge of Israel's _yêtser_ signifies His profound understanding of their inherent, deeply rooted propensity to stray from His commands, even before they fully experience the blessings of the land. It's not just about future actions, but the underlying disposition that drives them.
* **Witness (Hebrew, _ʻêd'_):** The Hebrew word עֵד (H5707, _ʻêd_) denotes a "witness" or "testimony." In ancient Israelite legal contexts, a witness was crucial for establishing truth and guilt ([Deuteronomy 19:15](/deuteronomy/19-15 "Deuteronomy 19:15 - Requirement of Two or Three Witnesses")). Here, the "song" is personified as a legal witness, providing irrefutable evidence of Israel's covenant obligations and their subsequent failure. Its enduring presence, "not... forgotten out of the mouths of their seed," ensures that the testimony against them is perpetual and undeniable, justifying God's actions when judgment is enacted. This concept underscores the legal framework of the Mosaic Covenant, where God's warnings are given with full transparency and subsequent judgment is based on clear, attested violations.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them":** This clause sets the stage for the song's purpose, indicating a future period of hardship and distress that will befall Israel. These "evils and troubles" are not random misfortunes but the direct, predicted consequences of their covenant unfaithfulness, as outlined in the curses of [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Curses for Disobedience"). God's foreknowledge is evident in His declaration that these calamities "shall come to pass," highlighting the certainty of His prophetic word concerning their future apostasy.
* **"that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed":** Here, the song, which Moses is commanded to write, is assigned a crucial legal and pedagogical function. It will serve as an enduring "witness" or legal testimony against the Israelites, providing irrefutable evidence of their covenant obligations and their subsequent failure. The phrase "it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed" emphasizes the song's perpetual nature, ensuring that its message—both the covenant's terms and Israel's predicted failure—will be passed down through generations. This guarantees that future generations will be fully aware of their history, their obligations, and the justification for God's judgments.
* **"for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware":** This final clause provides the divine rationale for the song's necessity. God's perfect knowledge (omniscience) of Israel's inner disposition, their "imagination" or "inclination" (_yêtser_), is the root cause. He understands their inherent propensity to turn away from Him, even at this moment, before they have even entered the Promised Land. This profound insight into human nature underscores God's proactive wisdom in providing a perpetual reminder and witness, not out of a desire for their failure, but in anticipation of it, to call them to repentance and to justify His righteous judgments when their unfaithfulness inevitably manifests.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 31:21 employs several powerful literary devices. The primary device is **Prophecy**, as God explicitly foretells Israel's future apostasy and the resulting "evils and troubles" long before they occur. This is coupled with **Foreshadowing**, as the song itself is presented as a future witness, anticipating the very events it will testify against. The "song" functions as a potent **Symbolism**, representing God's enduring Word, His covenant faithfulness, and the indelible record of Israel's history. It is not just a collection of words but a living, active testimony. There is also a subtle form of **Anthropomorphism** in God stating, "I know their imagination," attributing to God a human-like understanding of internal thoughts and inclinations, though in a divine, perfect, and comprehensive sense. The structure of the verse, moving from predicted outcome to the witness, and then to the divine rationale, creates a compelling and logical argument for the song's vital role in God's sovereign plan for His people.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 31:21 stands as a powerful testament to God's omniscience and His unwavering commitment to justice within the framework of His covenant relationship with Israel. It reveals that God's knowledge is not merely passive awareness but an active, sovereign foreknowledge that informs His redemptive plan and His just judgments. The song serves as a perpetual reminder of the covenant's terms and Israel's inherent tendency to stray, highlighting the deep theological truth that human sinfulness is not merely circumstantial but rooted in a fundamental inner disposition, often referred to as the "evil inclination" in Jewish tradition. This verse underscores the necessity of divine intervention and a profound transformation of the human heart, a theme that echoes throughout salvation history.

* [Genesis 6:5](/genesis/6-5 "The Imagination of Man's Heart")
* [Jeremiah 17:9](/jeremiah/17-9 "The Deceitfulness of the Heart")
* [Romans 3:23](/romans/3-23 "All Have Sinned")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 31:21 offers profound insights for believers today. It reminds us that God's knowledge of our hearts and our predispositions is absolute. He sees beyond our outward actions to the "imagination" of our hearts, understanding our deepest inclinations and potential for sin. This should not lead to despair but to a humble recognition of our desperate need for divine grace and transformation. Just as the song served as an enduring witness for Israel, God's Word today serves as a perpetual guide, a mirror reflecting our true spiritual condition, and a lamp illuminating the path of righteousness. We are called to internalize biblical truths, allowing them to shape our "imagination" and desires, rather than yielding to our fallen nature. The warnings in Scripture are not punitive but redemptive, designed to guide us away from "evils and troubles" and towards life in Christ. Our response to God's foreknowledge of our weaknesses should be a greater reliance on His strength and a deeper commitment to His revealed will, knowing that His warnings are given out of perfect love and wisdom, always aiming for our ultimate good and His glory.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does God's foreknowledge of our "imagination" (inner bent) impact your understanding of His grace and patience?**
* **In what ways does God's Word serve as a "witness" in your life, guiding you and holding you accountable?**
* **What "evils and troubles" might we avoid today by heeding God's warnings and aligning our hearts with His will?**
* **How can we ensure that God's truths are "not forgotten out of the mouths of our seed" (future generations)?**

### FAQ
**Why did God command Moses to write a song instead of just giving a direct command or warning?**

Answer: The command to write a song was a strategic divine act, leveraging the power of oral tradition and poetic form for enduring impact. Unlike a simple command or a legal statute, a song is easily memorized, recited, and passed down through generations. Its rhythmic and melodic nature makes it deeply embeddable in the cultural memory, ensuring that its prophetic message—Israel's covenant obligations, their predicted failure, and the consequences—would "not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed" ([Deuteronomy 31:21](/deuteronomy/31-21 "Deuteronomy 31:21 - The Song as a Witness")). This made the song a perpetual "witness" or legal testimony, serving as an undeniable reminder of God's faithfulness and Israel's unfaithfulness, thereby justifying God's actions when judgment inevitably came. It was a divinely inspired pedagogical tool designed for maximum retention and spiritual accountability, demonstrating God's wisdom in communicating His truth in a way that would resonate deeply and endure through time.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 31:21, with its stark portrayal of God's foreknowledge of Israel's inherent rebellion and the necessity of a perpetual witness, powerfully foreshadows the ultimate solution found in Jesus Christ. The "imagination" (_yêtser_) of Israel's heart, known by God even before they entered the land, points to the universal human condition of sinfulness and depravity, a truth echoed by the Apostle Paul in [Romans 3:10-12](/romans/3-10-12 "Romans 3:10-12 - No One Is Righteous"). The song, serving as a witness against Israel's failure under the Old Covenant, highlights the insufficiency of law and human effort to produce lasting righteousness. This brokenness necessitates a new covenant, where God's law is written not on tablets of stone, but on the heart, as prophesied in [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant"). Jesus Christ is the fulfillment of this new covenant, offering a radical transformation of the "imagination" through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, enabling believers to walk in newness of life ([Romans 8:4](/romans/8-4 "Romans 8:4 - Walking According to the Spirit")). Furthermore, while the song was a witness to Israel's failure, Christ Himself is the ultimate and perfect "witness" to God's truth and love, the [faithful and true witness](/revelation/3-14 "Revelation 3:14 - The Faithful and True Witness") who perfectly fulfilled the Law and bore the consequences of humanity's "imagination" on the cross ([2 Corinthians 5:21](/2_corinthians/5-21 "2 Corinthians 5:21 - Christ Became Sin for Us")). Through His sacrifice, He provides the means for a new heart and a renewed mind, overcoming the very "imagination" that led Israel astray, and offering true and lasting peace with God ([Philippians 4:7](/philippians/4-7 "Philippians 4:7 - The Peace of 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

Hosea 5:3

I know Ephraim, and Israel is not hid from me: for now, O Ephraim, thou committest whoredom, [and] Israel is defiled.

John 2:24

But Jesus did not commit himself unto them, because he knew all [men],

John 2:25

And needed not that any should testify of man: for he knew what was in man.

Amos 5:25

Have ye offered unto me sacrifices and offerings in the wilderness forty years, O house of Israel?

Amos 5:26

But ye have borne the tabernacle of your Moloch and Chiun your images, the star of your god, which ye made to yourselves.

Genesis 8:21

And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart [is] evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more every thing living, as I have done.

Genesis 6:5

And GOD saw that the wickedness of man [was] great in the earth, and [that] every imagination of the thoughts of his heart [was] only evil continually.