King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 31:17 Mean?

Deuteronomy 31:17 in the King James Version says “Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us? befall: Heb. find

Deuteronomy 31:17 · KJV


Context

15

And the LORD appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud: and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle.

16

And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them. sleep: Heb. lie down

17

Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us? befall: Heb. find

18

And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods.

19

Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day—covenant violation would provoke divine wrath. And I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them—the terrifying withdrawal of God's presence and protection. And they shall be devoured—by enemies and circumstances. And many evils and troubles shall befall them—covenant curses enumerated in Deuteronomy 28:15-68. So that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us?—belated recognition that calamity resulted from God's absence due to their rebellion.

God's 'hidden face' is Scripture's most dreadful judgment—not annihilation but abandonment (Psalm 27:9, Isaiah 59:2). Israel would recognize consequences of forfeiting divine protection but apparently not repent adequately, since God describes their response as question rather than confession. The prophets repeatedly warned that judgment was coming, exile was inevitable, yet mercy would eventually restore remnants (Jeremiah 29:10-14). Christ experienced the ultimate 'hidden face' on the cross ('My God, why have You forsaken Me?') to ensure believers never face final abandonment.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Prophesied circa 1406 BC, fulfilled progressively through Israel's history. Periods of divine protection alternated with judgment—Philistine oppression, Assyrian invasion, Babylonian exile. Each demonstrated that military defeat wasn't merely geopolitical misfortune but covenant consequences. The question 'Is not God among us?' tragically echoed their presumptuous confidence before disasters (Jeremiah 7:4, Micah 3:11). Only after seventy years of exile did Judah adequately repent, and the return remained incomplete until Christ established the new covenant.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean that God 'hides His face'? How is divine absence worse than direct punishment?
  2. How do people recognize consequences of sin yet fail to adequately repent? What's the difference?
  3. How does Christ's experience of God's hidden face on the cross guarantee believers never face ultimate abandonment?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
וְחָרָ֣ה1 of 27

shall be kindled

H2734

to glow or grow warm; figuratively (usually) to blaze up, of anger, zeal, jealousy

אַפִּ֣י2 of 27

Then my anger

H639

properly, the nose or nostril; hence, the face, and occasionally a person; also (from the rapid breathing in passion) ire

ב֣וֹ3 of 27
H0
בַּיּ֣וֹם4 of 27

against them in that day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַ֠הוּא5 of 27
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

וַֽעֲזַבְתִּ֞ים6 of 27

and I will forsake

H5800

to loosen, i.e., relinquish, permit, etc

וְהִסְתַּרְתִּ֨י7 of 27

them and I will hide

H5641

to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively

פָנַ֤י8 of 27

my face

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

מֵהֶם֙9 of 27
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

וְהָיָ֣ה10 of 27
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

לֶֽאֱכֹ֔ל11 of 27

from them and they shall be devoured

H398

to eat (literally or figuratively)

מְצָא֖וּנִי12 of 27

come

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

הָֽרָע֥וֹת13 of 27

Are not these evils

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

רַבּ֖וֹת14 of 27

and many

H7227

abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)

וְצָר֑וֹת15 of 27

and troubles

H6869

transitively, a female rival

וְאָמַר֙16 of 27

them so that they will say

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

בַּיּ֣וֹם17 of 27

against them in that day

H3117

a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso

הַה֔וּא18 of 27
H1931

he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo

הֲלֹ֗א19 of 27
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

עַ֣ל20 of 27
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

כִּי21 of 27
H3588

(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed

אֵ֤ין22 of 27
H369

a nonentity; generally used as a negative particle

אֱלֹהַי֙23 of 27

upon us because our God

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

בְּקִרְבִּ֔י24 of 27

is not among

H7130

properly, the nearest part, i.e., the center, whether literal, figurative or adverbial (especially with preposition)

מְצָא֖וּנִי25 of 27

come

H4672

properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present

הָֽרָע֥וֹת26 of 27

Are not these evils

H7451

bad or (as noun) evil (natural or moral)

הָאֵֽלֶּה׃27 of 27
H428

these or those


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 31:17 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 31:17 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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