King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 31:27 Mean?

Deuteronomy 31:27 in the King James Version says “For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious ag...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?”

Deuteronomy 31:27 · KJV

Context

25

That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,

26

Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.

27

For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?

28

Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them.

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.

Read Deuteronomy 31 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck—Moses's stark assessment of Israel's character. Meri (מֶרִי, 'rebellion') and oref qasheh (עֹרֶף קָשֶׁה, 'stiff neck') described stubborn, persistent resistance to God's authority. Behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD—even with Moses's leadership and firsthand experience of miracles, rebellion persisted. And how much more after my death?—the rhetorical question predicted escalated rebellion without Moses's restraining influence.

Moses's honesty about Israel's character revealed both discouragement and realism. Forty years leading them through rebellions—golden calf, Korah's revolt, refusing to enter Canaan, constant grumbling—proved their tendency toward faithlessness. Yet Moses continued interceding and instructing, modeling perseverance in ministry despite discouraging results. Paul later expressed similar frustration (Galatians 4:19-20), showing that spiritual leadership often involves persistent investment despite repeated disappointment. The comfort: ultimate success depends on God's faithfulness, not human responsiveness.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Spoken circa 1406 BC in Moses's final address to Israel's elders. The 'stiff neck' metaphor derived from oxen who resist the yoke—rebellious against authority and direction. Throughout the wilderness, Israel rebelled repeatedly despite witnessing unprecedented miracles (Red Sea crossing, manna, water from rocks, Sinai theophany). The golden calf incident (Exodus 32) epitomized their stiff-necked rebellion—making an idol while God was giving Moses the Ten Commandments. Moses's prediction proved accurate: the books of Judges and Kings chronicle continual apostasy punctuated by brief reforms.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should Christian leaders persevere in ministry when those they serve persistently resist and rebel?
  2. What's the difference between acknowledging realistic assessments of human depravity versus cynical despair?
  3. How does God's faithfulness despite human rebellion encourage persistence in evangelism and discipleship?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
כִּ֣י1 of 21
H3588

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

אָֽנֹכִ֤י2 of 21
H595

i

יָדַ֙עְתִּי֙3 of 21

“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

אֶֽת4 of 21
H853

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

מֶרְיְךָ֔5 of 21

“thy rebellion”

H4805

bitterness, i.e., (figuratively) rebellion; concretely, bitter, or rebellious

וְאֶֽת6 of 21
H853

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

עָרְפְּךָ֖7 of 21

“neck”

H6203

the nape or back of the neck (as declining); hence, the back generally (whether literal or figurative)

הַקָּשֶׁ֑ה8 of 21

“and thy stiff”

H7186

severe (in various applications)

הֵ֣ן9 of 21
H2005

lo!; also (as expressing surprise) if

בְּעוֹדֶנִּי֩10 of 21
H5750

properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more

חַ֨י11 of 21

“behold while I am yet alive”

H2416

alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially in the feminine singular and masculine plural) life (or livin

עִמָּכֶ֜ם12 of 21
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

הַיּ֗וֹם13 of 21

“with you this 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

מַמְרִ֤ים14 of 21

“ye have been rebellious”

H4784

to be (causatively, make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively, to provoke)

הֱיִתֶם֙15 of 21
H1961

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

עִם16 of 21
H5973

adverb or preposition, with (i.e., in conjunction with), in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix (and then

יְהוָֹ֔ה17 of 21

“against the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְאַ֖ף18 of 21
H637

meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though

כִּֽי19 of 21
H3588

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

אַחֲרֵ֥י20 of 21

“and how much more after”

H310

properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)

מוֹתִֽי׃21 of 21

“my death”

H4194

death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

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 31:27 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 31:27 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 32:20Deuteronomy 9:24Isaiah 48:4Acts 7:51Psalms 78:8Deuteronomy 9:6-7

Test Your Knowledge

Deuteronomy 31 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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