Deuteronomy 31:27

KJV

For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?

KJV (with Strong's)

For I know {H3045} thy rebellion {H4805}, and thy stiff {H7186} neck {H6203}: behold, while I am yet alive {H2416} with you this day {H3117}, ye have been rebellious {H4784} against the LORD {H3068}; and how much more after {H310} my death {H4194}?

Complete Jewish Bible

For I know how rebellious and stiffnecked you are! Here, even while I am still alive with you today, you have rebelled against ADONAI; so how much more will you do so after my death?

Berean Standard Bible

For I know how rebellious and stiff-necked you are. If you are already rebelling against the LORD while I am still alive, how much more will you rebel after my death!

American Standard Version

For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against Jehovah; and how much more after my death?

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 31:27 captures a deeply poignant and prophetic moment as Moses, on the cusp of his death, delivers a final, unvarnished assessment of Israel's character. With divine insight, he declares his certain knowledge of their inherent rebellion and stubbornness, foretelling that their disobedience, already evident during his lifetime, would intensify dramatically after his departure. This verse serves as a stark reminder of humanity's persistent inclination towards defiance against God's will, even in the face of His abundant grace and miraculous provision.

### 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. The preceding verses (Deuteronomy 31:24-26) describe Moses completing the writing of the Law and commanding the Levites to place it beside the Ark of the Covenant as a witness against the people. Immediately following this verse, Moses calls for the elders and officers to assemble, so he can speak the words of a song (Deuteronomy 31:28-30) that will also serve as a witness against them, further elaborating on the very corruption he predicts here in Deuteronomy 31:27. This entire section underscores the solemnity and finality of Moses' warnings, emphasizing the covenant obligations and the severe consequences of their inevitable breach.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Moses is addressing a generation that has witnessed forty years of divine provision, miraculous deliverance from Egypt, and the giving of the Law at Sinai. Despite these profound experiences, their history is marred by repeated murmuring, idolatry (e.g., the [Golden Calf](/exodus/32 "Exodus 32 - The Golden Calf Incident")), and rebellion against God and His appointed leaders. Culturally, the concept of a "stiff neck" (a common idiom) would have been readily understood as a stubborn animal refusing to submit to the yoke, a powerful metaphor for human resistance to authority. Moses' impending death marks a critical transition, as the people will soon face the challenges of settling in Canaan without his direct leadership, making his prophetic warning about their future apostasy particularly urgent and relevant to their immediate circumstances.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 31:27 powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights the theme of **Divine Foreknowledge**, demonstrating God's perfect understanding of human nature and future events, as conveyed through Moses' prophetic insight. It starkly portrays **Human Stubbornness and Rebellion**, using vivid imagery to describe Israel's persistent refusal to submit to God's will, a theme echoed throughout the Old Testament, particularly in the books of [Judges](/judges/2 "Judges 2 - Cycles of Disobedience") and [1 and 2 Kings](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings 1 - The Monarchy of Israel"). This verse also underscores the **Peril of Disobedience** and the **Consequences of Covenant Breach**, foreshadowing the cycles of apostasy, judgment, and eventual exile that would characterize Israel's history, despite the clear warnings and covenant stipulations laid out in earlier chapters, such as the blessings and curses detailed in [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Rebellion (Hebrew, _meri'_):** This term signifies open defiance, insubordination, or revolt against a legitimate authority. It is a strong word indicating not just passive disobedience but an active, often willful, opposition to God's commands and covenant. Moses uses it to describe a deep-seated characteristic of the Israelites, a fundamental resistance to divine rule that he has witnessed firsthand.
* **Stiff neck (Hebrew, _qasheh-`oreph'_):** This is a powerful and frequently used idiom in the Old Testament, literally meaning "hard of neck." It vividly portrays an ox that refuses to bend its neck to the yoke, resisting the farmer's guidance. Spiritually, it signifies obstinacy, stubbornness, and an unwillingness to humble oneself and submit to God's will. It speaks to an unyielding spirit that resists correction and divine direction.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck:"** Moses begins with a direct, personal declaration of his certain knowledge. This is not a guess or a suspicion, but a divinely imparted insight into the deep-seated character flaw of the Israelites. "Rebellion" (מֶרִי, _meri'_) speaks to their overt acts of defiance, while "stiff neck" (קְשֵׁה־עֹרֶף, _qasheh-`oreph'_) describes the underlying stubborn disposition that fuels such acts. It's a comprehensive indictment of their spiritual posture.
* **"behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD;"** Moses grounds his prophecy in their present and past behavior. He reminds them, and us, that their rebellious nature is not a future development but a persistent reality. Even with his direct leadership, the visible miracles of God, and the immediate presence of the Law, they have consistently defied the LORD. This serves as undeniable evidence for his subsequent prediction.
* **"and how much more after my death?"** This rhetorical question carries the full weight of Moses' prophetic warning. If their rebellion was so pervasive under his vigilant leadership and the direct experience of God's presence, how much greater would it be once his restraining influence was removed? It implies a rapid decline into deeper and more widespread apostasy, highlighting the fragility of their commitment and the profound challenge awaiting them.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 31:27 employs several potent literary devices to convey its urgent message. The most prominent is **Metaphor** and **Idiom**, specifically "stiff neck." This vivid agricultural image of an ox refusing the yoke powerfully communicates the Israelites' stubborn resistance to God's leading, making the abstract concept of spiritual disobedience tangible and relatable. The verse also utilizes **Foreshadowing** and **Prophecy**, as Moses' declaration is not merely an observation but a divinely inspired prediction of Israel's future apostasy, setting the stage for the narrative of the Judges and Kings. Furthermore, there is an element of **Repetition** in the emphasis on "rebellion" ("thy rebellion," "ye have been rebellious"), which serves to underscore the pervasive and persistent nature of their disobedience, reinforcing the gravity of Moses' warning. The rhetorical question, "and how much more after my death?", functions as a powerful **Anticipation** of future decline, forcing the audience to confront the logical progression of their current behavior.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 31:27 profoundly speaks to the persistent reality of human sinfulness and the depth of God's foreknowledge. It reveals that God, through Moses, understood the inherent bent of the human heart towards rebellion, even within His chosen covenant people. This understanding is not merely predictive but foundational to God's redemptive plan. Despite knowing their future disobedience, God remains faithful to His covenant promises, continually providing means for repentance and restoration. The verse highlights the tension between God's perfect knowledge and human free will, emphasizing that while God knows, He does not coerce. It underscores the necessity of a transformed heart, a theme that resonates throughout biblical history, ultimately pointing to a new covenant where God's law is written on the heart, not merely on stone.

* [Exodus 32:9](/exodus/32-9 "Exodus 32:9 - God describes Israel as a stiff-necked people")
* [Nehemiah 9:16-17](/nehemiah/9-16 "Nehemiah 9:16-17 - Israel's stubbornness and God's mercy")
* [Acts 7:51](/acts/7-51 "Acts 7:51 - Stephen's accusation of being stiff-necked")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 31:27 serves as a timeless mirror, reflecting the enduring human propensity for rebellion against divine authority. Moses' words, spoken to ancient Israel, resonate deeply with contemporary believers, challenging us to honestly examine our own hearts. Are there areas in our lives where we exhibit a "stiff neck"—stubbornly resisting God's clear commands, His gentle leading, or the wisdom of His Word? This verse reminds us that true faithfulness is not merely a performance under external scrutiny, but an internal posture of submission and trust, cultivated even in the absence of direct accountability. It calls us to acknowledge our inherent fallenness and to continually seek God's transforming grace, recognizing that genuine obedience flows from a heart yielded to Him, not just from fear of consequences or the presence of a strong leader. Our spiritual health depends on our willingness to humble ourselves, confess our stubbornness, and embrace the ongoing work of sanctification.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life do I tend to be "stiff-necked" or resistant to God's will?**
* **How does knowing God's foreknowledge of human rebellion impact my understanding of His patience and grace?**
* **What practical steps can I take to cultivate a more humble and obedient heart, even when external accountability is absent?**
* **How does Moses' warning about future rebellion inform my prayers for my own spiritual growth and the faithfulness of the church today?**

### FAQ
**Why does Moses emphasize Israel's rebellion so strongly just before his death?**

Answer: Moses emphasizes Israel's rebellion at this critical juncture for several profound reasons. First, it serves as a solemn, final warning, underscoring the gravity of their covenant obligations. He wants to impress upon them the seriousness of their past and future disobedience, ensuring they have no excuse. Second, it highlights the consistent nature of their sin, demonstrating that their "stiff neck" was not an isolated incident but a deep-seated character flaw, evident even under his direct leadership and God's miraculous provision (e.g., the [manna in the wilderness](/exodus/16 "Exodus 16 - The Provision of Manna")). Third, it sets the stage for the consequences outlined in the covenant, explaining why the cycles of judgment and restoration would characterize their future history. Moses, speaking with divine insight, knew that their greatest challenge would not be external enemies, but their own internal spiritual corruption, which would intensify after his departure (as seen in [Deuteronomy 31:29](/deuteronomy/31-29 "Deuteronomy 31:29 - Moses' Prophecy of Israel's Corruption")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 31:27, with its stark portrayal of Israel's inherent rebellion and stiff-neckedness, powerfully underscores humanity's desperate need for a new heart and a new covenant, ultimately fulfilled in Jesus Christ. Moses' prophetic insight reveals that no amount of law, leadership, or miraculous intervention could fundamentally change the rebellious human heart. This inherent inability to perfectly obey the Law, even when written and witnessed, points to the necessity of a divine solution. Jesus, as the perfectly obedient Son (e.g., [Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience unto Death")), embodies the complete antithesis of Israel's rebellion, fulfilling the Law's demands on humanity's behalf. Furthermore, the New Covenant, inaugurated by Christ's sacrifice, promises a radical transformation: God's law is no longer merely an external witness against a rebellious people, but is written on their hearts by the Holy Spirit (as prophesied in [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant") and fulfilled in [Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant in Christ")). Through Christ, the "stiff neck" is made pliable, and the rebellious heart is given a new desire to obey, empowered by the indwelling Spirit (e.g., [Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26 - A New Heart and Spirit")). Thus, Moses' lament over Israel's rebellion ultimately magnifies the glory of Christ, who provides the only true and lasting remedy for humanity's pervasive sinfulness.

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

Deuteronomy 9:24

Ye have been rebellious against the LORD from the day that I knew you.

Deuteronomy 32:20

And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end [shall be]: for they [are] a very froward generation, children in whom [is] no faith.

Exodus 32:8

They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf, and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These [be] thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.

Exodus 32:9

And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it [is] a stiffnecked people:

2 Chronicles 30:8

Now be ye not stiffnecked, as your fathers [were, but] yield yourselves unto the LORD, and enter into his sanctuary, which he hath sanctified for ever: and serve the LORD your God, that the fierceness of his wrath may turn away from you.

Psalms 78:8

And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation [that] set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

Deuteronomy 9:6

Understand therefore, that the LORD thy God giveth thee not this good land to possess it for thy righteousness; for thou [art] a stiffnecked people.