King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 31:21 Mean?

Deuteronomy 31:21 in the King James Version says “And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as ... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware. against: Heb. before go: Heb. do

Deuteronomy 31:21 · KJV


Context

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.

21

And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware. against: Heb. before go: Heb. do

22

Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel.

23

And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness—when covenant curses arrived, the song would explain causation: suffering resulted from covenant violation. For it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed—the song's memorability ensured it would persist through generations. For I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware—God knew Israel's rebellious intentions before they acted on them, even before entering the land where temptation would peak.

The song's witness function was both condemning and merciful. It would explain suffering (you broke covenant) while pointing toward restoration (God remains faithful). The phrase 'I know their imagination' reveals God's omniscience regarding not just actions but intentions and thoughts (Psalm 94:11, 139:2). This foreknowledge didn't cause rebellion but demonstrated that judgment would be just—God knew their hearts fully. Yet His knowing their future failure didn't prevent His leading them forward, showing divine patience and redemptive purpose despite human unfaithfulness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Spoken circa 1406 BC, implemented immediately (31:22), and fulfilled throughout Israel's history. When the Babylonian exile came, Israelites in captivity could sing this song and understand their situation—not random tragedy but covenant consequences. The song provided interpretive framework for suffering, preventing either denial (blaming circumstances) or despair (losing hope). This pattern continues: Scripture memorized before crisis provides divine perspective during crisis, interpreting events through God's eyes rather than human confusion.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does God's foreknowledge of rebellion demonstrate omniscience while preserving human moral responsibility?
  2. Why is it crucial to learn Scripture before crisis, when memory and perspective function best?
  3. How does the song's dual function (witness against sin, hope for restoration) balance justice and mercy?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 31 words
וְ֠הָיָה1 of 31
H1961

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

כִּֽי2 of 31
H3588

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

תִמְצֶ֨אןָ3 of 31

are befallen

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

אֹת֜וֹ4 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רָע֣וֹת5 of 31

evils

H7451

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

רַבּוֹת֮6 of 31

And it shall come to pass when many

H7227

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

וְצָרוֹת֒7 of 31

and troubles

H6869

transitively, a female rival

וְ֠עָֽנְתָה8 of 31

shall testify

H6030

properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,

הַשִּׁירָ֨ה9 of 31

them that this song

H7892

a song; abstractly, singing

הַזֹּ֤את10 of 31
H2063

this (often used adverb)

לְפָנָיו֙11 of 31

against

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

לְעֵ֔ד12 of 31

them as a witness

H5707

concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince

כִּ֛י13 of 31
H3588

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

לֹ֥א14 of 31
H3808

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

תִשָּׁכַ֖ח15 of 31

for it shall not be forgotten

H7911

to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention

מִפִּ֣י16 of 31

out of the mouths

H6310

the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos

זַרְע֑וֹ17 of 31

of their seed

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

כִּ֧י18 of 31
H3588

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

יָדַ֣עְתִּי19 of 31

for I know

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

אֶת20 of 31
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

יִצְר֗וֹ21 of 31

their imagination

H3336

a form; figuratively, conception (i.e., purpose)

אֲשֶׁ֨ר22 of 31
H834

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

ה֤וּא23 of 31
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

עֹשֶׂה֙24 of 31

which they go about

H6213

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

הַיּ֔וֹם25 of 31

even now

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

בְּטֶ֣רֶם26 of 31
H2962

properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before

אֲבִיאֶ֔נּוּ27 of 31

before I have brought

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל28 of 31
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאָ֖רֶץ29 of 31

them into the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֥ר30 of 31
H834

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

נִשְׁבָּֽעְתִּי׃31 of 31

which I sware

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)


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 31:21 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 31:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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