Deuteronomy 4:30

When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, [even] in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice;

When thou art in tribulation {H6862}, and all these things {H1697} are come {H4672} upon thee, even in the latter {H319} days {H3117}, if thou turn {H7725} to the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430}, and shalt be obedient {H8085} unto his voice {H6963};

In your distress, when all these things have come upon you, in the acharit-hayamim, you will return to ADONAI your God and listen to what he says;

When you are in distress and all these things have happened to you, then in later days you will return to the LORD your God and listen to His voice.

When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, in the latter days thou shalt return to Jehovah thy God, and hearken unto his voice:

Commentary

Deuteronomy 4:30 is a powerful prophetic verse from Moses' farewell address to the Israelites, delivered just before they entered the Promised Land. It speaks to God's enduring faithfulness, even in the face of anticipated future disobedience and tribulation.

Context

This verse is part of a larger discourse in Deuteronomy where Moses outlines the blessings of obedience and the curses (consequences) of disobedience to God's covenant. Having just warned the people about the dangers of idolatry and forgetting God's commands (Deuteronomy 4:25-29), Moses foretells a time of intense tribulation as a consequence of their future apostasy, leading to their scattering among nations. Yet, amidst this stern warning, verse 30 offers a profound glimmer of hope and a pathway to restoration, emphasizing God's mercy and willingness to receive His people back if they repent.

Key Themes

  • Divine Discipline & Tribulation: The verse acknowledges that hardship and distress ("tribulation") will come upon Israel due to their straying from God's path. This is not arbitrary punishment but a disciplinary measure designed to bring them back to Him.
  • Prophecy of "Latter Days": The phrase "latter days" (Hebrew: acharit hayamim) is a significant prophetic term often referring to a future, often eschatological, period when God's ultimate purposes will be fulfilled. Here, it indicates a time far beyond Moses' immediate audience, suggesting a long-term pattern of God's dealing with His people.
  • The Call to Repentance: The core message is a pivotal call to repentance and returning to the Lord. It highlights that even after experiencing severe consequences, the path to restoration is always open through genuine turning back to God.
  • Obedience to God's Voice: Repentance is coupled with obedience. It's not just a change of mind or feeling, but an active commitment to listen to and follow God's commands and revealed will.

Linguistic Insights

  • "Tribulation" (Hebrew: tsarah - ืฆึธืจึธื”): This word signifies distress, trouble, anguish, or affliction. It perfectly describes the difficult circumstances that would befall Israel.
  • "Latter days" (Hebrew: acharit hayamim - ืึทื—ึฒืจึดื™ืช ื”ึทื™ึผึธืžึดื™ื): This is a crucial prophetic phrase. While it can refer to a distant future, it often carries connotations of the end times or the Messianic era, indicating a period of significant divine intervention and fulfillment of prophecy.
  • "Turn" (Hebrew: shuv - ืฉืื•ึผื‘): This verb is central to the biblical concept of repentance. It means to return, to turn back, to repent. It implies a change of direction, a turning away from sin and back towards God.
  • "Obedient unto his voice": This emphasizes hearing and heeding God's commands, not just passively listening but actively responding to His will.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 4:30 offers timeless hope and a clear path for all who face hardship or have strayed from God. It teaches us several vital lessons:

  • Hope in Adversity: Even in our deepest "tribulation," when consequences of our choices or external circumstances weigh heavily, there is always hope for restoration if we turn to God.
  • The Power of Repentance: God's mercy is profound. He is always ready to receive those who genuinely turn from their sin and seek Him with their whole heart.
  • The Importance of Obedience: True turning involves not just regret, but a commitment to align our lives with God's will and obey His voice as revealed in His Word.
  • God's Unwavering Faithfulness: This verse underscores God's steadfast nature. Despite humanity's failures, His covenant promises and willingness to forgive remain.

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that God's grace is always available, inviting us to return to Him, especially when we find ourselves in distress, and to live in obedient response to His loving call.

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Joel 2:12

    ยถ Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye [even] to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning:

  • Joel 2:13

    And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God: for he [is] gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil.

  • Jeremiah 23:20

    The anger of the LORD shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the thoughts of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it perfectly.

  • Hosea 3:5

    Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the LORD their God, and David their king; and shall fear the LORD and his goodness in the latter days.

  • Deuteronomy 31:29

    For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt [yourselves], and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.

  • Jeremiah 7:23

    But this thing commanded I them, saying, Obey my voice, and I will be your God, and ye shall be my people: and walk ye in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well unto you.

  • Isaiah 1:19

    If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land:
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