King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 31:18 Mean?

Deuteronomy 31:18 in the King James Version says “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...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Deuteronomy 31:18 · KJV

Context

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.

20

For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.

Read Deuteronomy 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought—God's reiteration emphasizes certainty and just cause. The Hebrew anochi haster astir (אָנֹכִי הַסְתֵּר אַסְתִּיר) uses emphatic construction: 'I will surely hide' or 'I will utterly hide.' In that they are turned unto other gods—the specific sin meriting face-hiding: idolatry, abandoning Yahweh for false gods. The consequence matched the crime—they turned from God, so God turned from them.

This verse clarifies that divine abandonment isn't arbitrary or harsh but proportional justice. Israel's choice to turn away from God resulted in God's withdrawal from them. The pattern appears throughout Scripture: persistent rejection of God ultimately results in God honoring that rejection (Romans 1:24, 26, 28: 'God gave them over'). Yet even here, the judgment served remedial purpose—suffering in God's absence was meant to drive Israel back to Him, the pattern throughout Judges and Kings.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Spoken circa 1406 BC, fulfilled repeatedly in Israel's history. The most complete 'face-hiding' occurred in the Babylonian exile (586-516 BC), when Jerusalem and the temple were destroyed, the sacrificial system ceased, and the nation was removed from the Promised Land. Yet even in exile, prophets like Ezekiel and Daniel ministered, showing God's presence wasn't entirely absent. The exile eventually ended, but only Christ's coming and the Spirit's indwelling fully restored God's presence to His people in unbreakable covenant.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's judgment (hiding His face) match Israel's sin (turning to other gods)? Why is this just?
  2. What's the difference between remedial judgment (meant to restore) and final judgment (eternal separation)?
  3. How should Christians respond when they sense God's presence withdrawn due to persistent sin?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וְאָֽנֹכִ֗י1 of 16
H595

i

הַסְתֵּ֨ר2 of 16
H5640

to stop up; by implication, to repair; figuratively, to keep secret

אַסְתִּ֤יר3 of 16

“And I will surely”

H5641

to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively

פָּנַי֙4 of 16

“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

בַּיּ֣וֹם5 of 16

“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

הַה֔וּא6 of 16
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

עַ֥ל7 of 16
H5921

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

כָּל8 of 16
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

הָֽרָעָ֖ה9 of 16

“for all the evils”

H7451

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

אֲשֶׁ֣ר10 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עָשָׂ֑ה11 of 16

“which they shall have wrought”

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

כִּ֣י12 of 16

“in that”

H3588

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

פָנָ֔ה13 of 16

“they are turned”

H6437

to turn; by implication, to face, i.e., appear, look, etc

אֶל14 of 16
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

אֱלֹהִ֖ים15 of 16

“gods”

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

אֲחֵרִֽים׃16 of 16

“unto other”

H312

properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc

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 31:18 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 31:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 31:16-17

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