King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 31:29 Mean?

Deuteronomy 31:29 in the King James Version says “For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded yo... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 31 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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.

Deuteronomy 31:29 · KJV


Context

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.

30

And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves—Moses predicted complete moral collapse. The Hebrew hashchet tashchitun (הַשְׁחֵת תַּשְׁחִתוּן) uses emphatic construction: 'surely you will utterly corrupt.' And turn aside from the way which I have commanded you—deviation from covenant path. And evil will befall you in the latter days—judgment in future generations. Because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands—idolatry (handmade gods) would trigger divine wrath.

This prophecy, tragic in its certainty, framed Israel's entire subsequent history. Moses knew that despite miracles, teaching, warnings, and covenant renewal, Israel would fail catastrophically. Yet he persisted in instruction, established Joshua's leadership, wrote the law-book, and composed the witness-song. His example models faithfulness despite predicted failure—obey God's calling regardless of anticipated results. God's purposes transcend immediate success; often faithful ministry plants seeds harvested generations later, or provides testimony that condemns to prepare for grace.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Prophesied circa 1406 BC, fulfilled progressively through Israel's history. The 'latter days' encompassed both near-term apostasy (during Judges and the monarchy) and eschatological implications (exile, return, Messiah's coming). Within one generation after Joshua's death, Israel served Baals and Asherahs (Judges 2:11-13). The northern kingdom's complete idolatry led to Assyrian conquest (722 BC). Judah's repeated rebellions despite prophetic warnings resulted in Babylonian exile (586 BC). Only Christ's coming and the new covenant addressed Israel's fundamental inability to keep the old covenant.

Reflection Questions

  1. How should believers persevere in ministry when failure seems inevitable or results are discouraging?
  2. What's the relationship between human responsibility (Israel's guilt) and inability (they will corrupt themselves)?
  3. How does Moses's prophecy prepare for Christ's necessity—the perfect Israelite who kept covenant perfectly?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 27 words
כִּ֣י1 of 27
H3588

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

יָדַ֗עְתִּי2 of 27

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

אַֽחֲרֵ֤י3 of 27

that after

H310

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

מוֹתִי֙4 of 27

my death

H4194

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

כִּֽי5 of 27
H3588

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

תַּשְׁחִת֔וּן6 of 27

corrupt

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

תַּשְׁחִת֔וּן7 of 27

corrupt

H7843

to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)

וְסַרְתֶּ֣ם8 of 27

yourselves and turn aside

H5493

to turn off (literally or figuratively)

מִן9 of 27
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַדֶּ֔רֶךְ10 of 27

from the way

H1870

a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb

אֲשֶׁ֥ר11 of 27
H834

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

צִוִּ֖יתִי12 of 27

which I have commanded

H6680

(intensively) to constitute, enjoin

אֶתְכֶ֑ם13 of 27
H853

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

וְקָרָ֨את14 of 27

will befall

H7122

to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner

אֶתְכֶ֤ם15 of 27
H853

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

הָרַע֙16 of 27

evil

H7451

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

בְּאַֽחֲרִ֣ית17 of 27

you in the latter

H319

the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity

הַיָּמִ֔ים18 of 27

days

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

כִּֽי19 of 27
H3588

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

תַעֲשׂ֤וּ20 of 27

because ye will do

H6213

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

אֶת21 of 27
H853

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

הָרַע֙22 of 27

evil

H7451

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

בְּעֵינֵ֣י23 of 27

in the sight

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

יְהוָ֔ה24 of 27

of the LORD

H3068

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

לְהַכְעִיס֖וֹ25 of 27

to provoke him to anger

H3707

to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant

בְּמַֽעֲשֵׂ֥ה26 of 27

through the work

H4639

an action (good or bad); generally, a transaction; abstractly, activity; by implication, a product (specifically, a poem) or (generally) property

יְדֵיכֶֽם׃27 of 27

of your hands

H3027

a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v


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 31:29 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 31:29 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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