Deuteronomy 32:7

KJV

¶ Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.

KJV (with Strong's)

Remember {H2142} the days {H3117} of old {H5769}, consider {H995} the years {H8141} of many {H1755} generations {H1755}: ask {H7592} thy father {H1}, and he will shew {H5046} thee; thy elders {H2205}, and they will tell {H559} thee.

Complete Jewish Bible

"Remember how the old days were; think of the years through all the ages. Ask your father -he will tell you; your leaders too -they will inform you.

Berean Standard Bible

Remember the days of old; consider the years long past. Ask your father, and he will tell you, your elders, and they will inform you.

American Standard Version

Remember the days of old, Consider the years of many generations: Ask thy father, and he will show thee; Thine elders, and they will tell thee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 32:7, nestled within the profound "Song of Moses," serves as a vital call to the Israelites to engage deeply with their historical and spiritual heritage. Moses urges the people to actively recall God's mighty acts and covenant faithfulness throughout their past, particularly by seeking wisdom and instruction from their fathers and elders. This verse underscores the critical importance of intergenerational transmission of divine truth, ensuring that the lessons of God's dealings with His people are preserved, understood, and applied by each successive generation, thereby safeguarding their identity and relationship with the Lord.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 32:7 is a pivotal verse within the "Song of Moses" (Deuteronomy 32:1-43), a lengthy poetic composition delivered by Moses just before his death and Israel's entry into the Promised Land. This song functions as Moses' final prophetic testament, a solemn witness against Israel's anticipated future apostasy, and a powerful reaffirmation of God's unchanging character and covenant loyalty. Preceded by an invocation to heaven and earth to bear witness to his words (Deuteronomy 32:1-3), the song immediately praises God's perfect work and righteous character (Deuteronomy 32:4-6). Verse 7 then shifts from God's character to Israel's responsibility to remember His past actions, setting the stage for the historical review that follows, detailing God's gracious care for Israel despite their rebellion (e.g., [Deuteronomy 32:10-14](/deuteronomy/32-10 "Deuteronomy 32:10-14 - God's Care for Israel")). The call to remember here is not merely nostalgic but foundational for understanding the subsequent warnings and promises.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Composed at the cusp of Israel's transition from wilderness wandering to settled life in Canaan, the Song of Moses addresses a generation poised to inherit the land but also susceptible to the idolatrous practices of its inhabitants. The cultural context of ancient Israel placed immense value on oral tradition and the wisdom of elders. Knowledge, history, and religious instruction were primarily transmitted verbally from one generation to the next, often within the family unit and through tribal leaders. Fathers and elders were the primary custodians of communal memory and divine revelation, responsible for educating the younger members in the covenant law and the narratives of God's redemptive acts, such as the [Exodus from Egypt](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Exodus"). This intergenerational pedagogy was crucial for maintaining Israel's distinct identity as God's covenant people amidst pagan influences and for ensuring the continuity of their faith.
* **Key Themes:** The overarching theme of Deuteronomy, and particularly this song, is the call to covenant faithfulness, rooted in the remembrance of God's past acts and the anticipation of His future judgment and restoration. Deuteronomy 32:7 specifically introduces the themes of **historical memory** and **intergenerational transmission of truth**. It emphasizes that Israel's identity and future well-being are intrinsically linked to their understanding of God's consistent character and His dealings with them throughout history. This remembrance serves as both a foundation for gratitude and a warning against forgetting God, which often leads to apostasy, as seen in the broader narrative of [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/6 "Deuteronomy 6 - Love the Lord your God") and later in books like [Judges](/judges/2 "Judges 2 - Israel's Disobedience"). The verse also highlights the **authority and wisdom of elders** as vital conduits for preserving and imparting this sacred heritage, ensuring that the covenant relationship with Yahweh remains vibrant across the ages.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Remember (Hebrew, זָכַר, _zakhar'_):** This verb signifies more than a passive mental recall; it implies an active, purposeful engagement with the past that shapes present actions and future decisions. In a covenantal context, _zakhar_ often means to "call to mind" in a way that leads to appropriate response, whether it be obedience, worship, or repentance. It's a command to not forget God's character and His mighty deeds, which are foundational to Israel's identity and relationship with Him.
* **Consider (Hebrew, בִּין, _bin'_):** This word denotes a deep understanding, discernment, and reflective insight, not merely a superficial glance. It calls for an intellectual and spiritual processing of the historical data, seeking to comprehend the underlying divine purposes and principles at work in the "years of many generations." It implies a wisdom that comes from careful observation and interpretation of God's providential hand in history.
* **Elders (Hebrew, זָקֵן, _zaqen'_):** Referring to those who are old in years, this term also carries the connotation of wisdom, experience, and authority within the community. In ancient Israel, elders were not just chronologically senior but were respected for their accumulated knowledge, their witness to past events, and their ability to provide counsel and instruction based on a lifetime of observing God's dealings with His people. They were the living archives of Israel's sacred history and traditions.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Remember the days of old,"**: This imperative command urges the Israelites to actively recall and internalize the foundational events of their national and spiritual history. This includes the patriarchal narratives, the bondage in Egypt, the miraculous Exodus, the giving of the Law at Sinai, and God's provision during their wilderness wanderings. The "days of old" are the formative periods where God revealed His character and established His covenant with Israel.
* **"consider the years of many generations:"**: This parallel command deepens the call to remembrance, urging a thoughtful and discerning reflection on the entire span of their history, encompassing multiple generations. It implies a search for patterns, lessons, and the consistent hand of God across time, moving beyond mere facts to profound understanding and application.
* **"ask thy father, and he will shew thee;"**: This clause prescribes the primary method for acquiring this vital historical and spiritual knowledge: through direct inquiry to one's father. It highlights the patriarchal structure of Israelite society and the father's crucial role as the first educator and spiritual guide within the family, responsible for transmitting the covenant heritage.
* **"thy elders, and they will tell thee."**: This expands the source of wisdom beyond the immediate family to the broader community of elders. These individuals, having lived longer and accumulated more experience and wisdom, serve as communal custodians of tradition and historical memory. Their collective testimony reinforces and enriches the instruction received from fathers, ensuring a comprehensive and authoritative transmission of truth.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 32:7 employs several powerful literary devices. The most prominent are **Imperative verbs** ("Remember," "consider," "ask"), which underscore the urgency and non-negotiable nature of Moses' commands, highlighting the vital importance of historical memory for Israel's survival and faithfulness. The verse also utilizes **Parallelism**, specifically synonymous parallelism in the first two clauses ("Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations") and the last two ("ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee"). This repetition with slight variation emphasizes and reinforces the core message, driving home the dual aspects of active recall and deep reflection, and the dual sources of intergenerational wisdom. Furthermore, there is an implied **Metaphor** of wisdom and historical knowledge as a precious inheritance or a wellspring of life, which must be diligently sought and faithfully passed down. The structure of the verse itself, moving from a general command to specific means, reflects a pedagogical approach, guiding the audience on *how* to fulfill the divine mandate.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 32:7 lays a foundational theological principle: the continuity of faith and covenant relationship across generations is dependent upon the active remembrance of God's past acts and the diligent transmission of His truth. This verse establishes historical memory not as mere nostalgia, but as a dynamic, living resource for understanding God's character, His faithfulness, and His expectations for His people. It underscores that true wisdom is often found in the lived experience and transmitted knowledge of those who have walked with God before us, making the elder generation indispensable custodians of spiritual heritage. This emphasis on remembering divine history and seeking wisdom from elders is a recurring biblical theme, vital for maintaining covenant fidelity and avoiding the pitfalls of forgetting God, which repeatedly led to Israel's downfall.

* [Psalm 78:1-7](/psalms/78-1 "Psalm 78:1-7 - Recounting God's Deeds to Future Generations")
* [Joel 1:3](/joel/1-3 "Joel 1:3 - Tell Your Children of God's Works")
* [Proverbs 1:8](/proverbs/1-8 "Proverbs 1:8 - Listen to Your Father's Instruction")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 32:7 offers timeless principles for believers today, emphasizing the enduring value of our spiritual heritage and the critical role of intergenerational wisdom. In a rapidly changing world, the temptation to dismiss the past or to rely solely on novel ideas can be strong. However, this verse reminds us that a vibrant faith is deeply rooted in the historical reality of God's faithfulness. We are called to actively "remember the days of old" – to immerse ourselves in the grand narrative of salvation history, from creation to Christ's redemptive work, and to reflect on God's consistent character and mighty acts in our own lives and in the life of the Church. Furthermore, the command to "ask thy father" and "thy elders" challenges us to cultivate a posture of humility and receptivity towards the wisdom of those who have walked with God longer. This means valuing the insights of older generations, seeking their counsel, learning from their experiences, and honoring their spiritual maturity. It also places a profound responsibility on those who are older to faithfully "show" and "tell" the younger generations the truths of God's Word and the testimonies of His faithfulness, ensuring that the legacy of faith is not broken but strengthened through intentional discipleship and living example.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific "days of old" in biblical history or in your own life do you need to remember and consider more deeply to strengthen your faith?**
* **In what ways do you actively seek out and value the wisdom of older believers or mentors in your life?**
* **If you are an "elder" in your family or community, how are you intentionally "showing" and "telling" the next generation about God's faithfulness and truth?**
* **How does forgetting the past acts of God lead to spiritual complacency or error in the present?**

### FAQ
**Why is remembering the past so important for faith?**

Answer: Remembering the past is crucial for faith because it provides a tangible foundation for understanding God's character and His consistent faithfulness. For Israel, recalling the [Exodus](/exodus/12 "Exodus 12 - The Passover and Exodus") and wilderness wanderings reminded them of God's power, provision, and covenant loyalty, even when they were rebellious. For believers today, remembering God's acts throughout biblical history—culminating in the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ—and His personal faithfulness in our own lives, builds trust and confidence for the present and future. It counters the tendency to forget God's goodness and stray from His ways, serving as a powerful anchor for identity and obedience.

**Who are "fathers" and "elders" in today's context, and how should we "ask" them?**

Answer: In today's context, "fathers" can refer to our biological parents, but more broadly, it encompasses spiritual parents or mentors who have played a significant role in our spiritual formation. "Elders" refers to older, more mature believers within our families, churches, and communities who possess a wealth of life experience, spiritual wisdom, and a deeper understanding of God's Word. "Asking" them involves actively seeking their counsel, listening to their testimonies, studying their examples, and engaging in intentional conversations about faith, life, and God's dealings. This might involve formal mentorship relationships, informal conversations, or simply observing their walk with God. The goal is to humbly receive the spiritual heritage they carry, as encouraged in passages like [Proverbs 1:8](/proverbs/1-8 "Proverbs 1:8 - Listen to Your Father's Instruction") and [Titus 2:1-5](/titus/2-1 "Titus 2:1-5 - Instructions for Various Groups").

**Does this verse imply that oral tradition is more important than written Scripture?**

Answer: No, this verse does not imply that oral tradition supersedes written Scripture. Rather, it highlights the *method* of transmission prevalent in ancient times and the *value* of intergenerational teaching. At the time of Deuteronomy, much of God's revelation was being given and recorded for the first time. The command to "ask thy father" and "thy elders" emphasizes the vital role of living witnesses and teachers in preserving and interpreting that revelation for new generations. Oral tradition was the primary means by which the written law and the historical narratives were taught, explained, and applied within the community. Today, while we have the complete written Word of God, the principle still holds: the wisdom and experience of older believers remain invaluable for interpreting, applying, and living out the truths of Scripture in our lives. The two are complementary, not contradictory.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 32:7, with its profound call to remember God's past acts and seek wisdom from elders, finds its ultimate fulfillment and deepest meaning in Jesus Christ. While the Israelites were commanded to recall the "days of old" concerning God's covenant with them, the New Testament reveals that all of God's historical dealings and promises find their "Yes" and "Amen" in Christ ([2 Corinthians 1:20](/2_corinthians/1-20 "2 Corinthians 1:20 - All God's Promises are Yes in Christ")). Jesus is the ultimate "elder" and "father" in a spiritual sense, the embodiment of divine wisdom, through whom all things were created and sustained ([Colossians 1:16-17](/colossians/1-16 "Colossians 1:16-17 - Christ as Creator and Sustainer")). He is the one who perfectly reveals the Father ([John 14:9](/john/14-9 "John 14:9 - Whoever has seen me has seen the Father")), making known the depths of God's character and redemptive plan in a way no human father or elder could. The "years of many generations" of God's faithfulness culminate in the cross and resurrection, which are the supreme acts of God's power and love to be remembered and proclaimed by the new covenant community ([1 Corinthians 11:23-26](/1_corinthians/11-23 "1 Corinthians 11:23-26 - The Lord's Supper")). The Church, as the new Israel, is now called to remember the finished work of Christ, to learn from His life and teachings, and to transmit this Gospel truth across generations, not merely as historical facts, but as the living power of God unto salvation ([Romans 1:16](/romans/1-16 "Romans 1:16 - The Power of the Gospel")). Thus, the command to remember and learn from the past is transformed into a call to remember and live in light of the person and work of Christ, the true wisdom of God ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom 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

Psalms 78:3

Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.

Psalms 78:4

We will not hide [them] from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.

Job 8:8

¶ For enquire, I pray thee, of the former age, and prepare thyself to the search of their fathers:

Job 8:10

Shall not they teach thee, [and] tell thee, and utter words out of their heart?

Psalms 44:1

¶ To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, [what] work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.

Isaiah 46:9

Remember the former things of old: for I [am] God, and [there is] none else; [I am] God, and [there is] none like me,

Psalms 77:5

I have considered the days of old, the years of ancient times.