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.

For I know {H3045} that after {H310} my death {H4194} ye will utterly {H7843} corrupt {H7843} yourselves, and turn aside {H5493} from the way {H1870} which I have commanded {H6680} you; and evil {H7451} will befall {H7122} you in the latter {H319} days {H3117}; because ye will do {H6213} evil {H7451} in the sight {H5869} of the LORD {H3068}, to provoke him to anger {H3707} through the work {H4639} of your hands {H3027}.

because I know that after my death you will become very corrupt and turn aside from the way that I have ordered you, and that disaster will come upon you in the acharit-hayamim, because you will do what ADONAI sees as evil and provoke him by your deeds."

For I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt and turn from the path I have commanded you. And in the days to come, disaster will befall you because you will do evil in the sight of the LORD to provoke Him to anger by the work of your hands.โ€

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 that which is evil in the sight of Jehovah, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.

Commentary

Context of Deuteronomy 31:29

Deuteronomy 31:29 is part of Moses' final discourse to the Israelites before his death and their entry into the Promised Land. This chapter details Moses' transfer of leadership to Joshua, his encouragement to the people, and his instruction for the Law to be read publicly every seven years. Crucially, Moses delivers a prophetic warning, foreseeing the nation's future spiritual decline. He knows that despite all the commands and covenant blessings, Israel will eventually turn away from the LORD.

Meaning and Key Themes

  • Divine Foreknowledge and Prophecy: Moses, inspired by God, speaks with certainty about the future. He declares, "For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt [yourselves]." This highlights God's omniscience and His ability to reveal future events to His prophets. It underscores the recurring theme of Israel's tendency towards apostasy.
  • The Nature of Corruption: The phrase "utterly corrupt [yourselves]" (Hebrew: shachath, ืฉึธืื—ึทืช) implies a deep moral decay, ruin, and self-destruction. It signifies a turning away from the pure worship of God to idolatry and disobedience. This corruption is not merely external but an internal spiritual disintegration.
  • Rejection of God's Way: The verse states, "and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you." This refers to deviating from the covenant laws and statutes given by God through Moses. It is a deliberate choice to abandon the path of righteousness and obedience, as detailed in Deuteronomy 28.
  • Consequences in the "Latter Days": Moses warns, "and evil will befall you in the latter days." The term "latter days" (Hebrew: acharit hayyamim, ืึทื—ึฒืจึดื™ืช ื”ึทื™ึธึผืžึดื™ื) often carries eschatological or prophetic significance, referring to a distant future period of judgment or significant events. For Israel, this often pointed to periods of national suffering, exile, and oppression, as seen in the book of Judges and subsequent history.
  • Provoking God's Anger: The ultimate cause of this "evil" is Israel's direct rebellion: "because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands." This emphasizes God's righteous wrath against sin and idolatry. "Work of your hands" often points to the making and worship of idols, or engaging in unrighteous deeds.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "corrupt" (shachath, ืฉึธืื—ึทืช) is a strong verb indicating ruin, decay, or spoiling, often used in a moral or spiritual sense. It suggests a profound and intentional defilement. The phrase "latter days" (acharit hayyamim, ืึทื—ึฒืจึดื™ืช ื”ึทื™ึธึผืžึดื™ื) is a significant prophetic idiom in the Old Testament, pointing to a future time, often associated with judgment or the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 31:29 serves as a timeless warning for all believers. It highlights the human tendency towards spiritual complacency and disobedience, even after experiencing God's blessings and guidance. We are called to:

  • Heed Warnings: Just as Moses warned Israel, God's Word continually warns us against turning away from Him. We should take these warnings seriously.
  • Guard Against Corruption: Actively resist the temptations to compromise our faith, engage in spiritual idolatry (placing anything above God), or deviate from God's commands in our daily lives.
  • Understand Consequences: Recognize that persistent sin and rebellion provoke God's righteous anger and lead to negative consequences, both individually and corporately.
  • Remain Vigilant: The "latter days" can also speak to our own times, urging us to remain faithful and watchful amidst increasing spiritual challenges, as encouraged in 1 Peter 5:8.
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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

  • Judges 2:19 (5 votes)

    And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, [that] they returned, and corrupted [themselves] more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.

  • Deuteronomy 32:5 (4 votes)

    They have corrupted themselves, their spot [is] not [the spot] of his children: [they are] a perverse and crooked generation.

  • Isaiah 1:4 (3 votes)

    Ah sinful nation, a people laden with iniquity, a seed of evildoers, children that are corrupters: they have forsaken the LORD, they have provoked the Holy One of Israel unto anger, they are gone away backward.

  • Luke 19:42 (3 votes)

    Saying, If thou hadst known, even thou, at least in this thy day, the things [which belong] unto thy peace! but now they are hid from thine eyes.

  • Luke 19:44 (3 votes)

    And shall lay thee even with the ground, and thy children within thee; and they shall not leave in thee one stone upon another; because thou knewest not the time of thy visitation.

  • Luke 21:24 (3 votes)

    And they shall fall by the edge of the sword, and shall be led away captive into all nations: and Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles, until the times of the Gentiles be fulfilled.

  • Hosea 9:9 (3 votes)

    They have deeply corrupted [themselves], as in the days of Gibeah: [therefore] he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.