King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 32:20 Mean?

Deuteronomy 32:20 in the King James Version says “And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, ...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.”

Deuteronomy 32:20 · KJV

Faith

Context

18

Of the Rock that begat thee thou art unmindful, and hast forgotten God that formed thee.

19

And when the LORD saw it, he abhorred them, because of the provoking of his sons, and of his daughters. abhorred: or, despised

20

And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.

21

They have moved me to jealousy with that which is not God; they have provoked me to anger with their vanities: and I will move them to jealousy with those which are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation.

22

For a fire is kindled in mine anger, and shall burn unto the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. shall burn: or, hath burned shall consume: or, hath consumed

Read Deuteronomy 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
I will hide my face from them—astîrāh phānay (אַסְתִּירָה פָנַי) describes God's covenantal withdrawal, removing His protective presence and blessing. This terrifying phrase appears throughout Deuteronomy (31:17-18) and the prophets (Isaiah 54:8, Ezekiel 39:23-24) as the ultimate covenant curse. God's face represents favor, guidance, and protection—to lose it is spiritual abandonment.

For they are a very froward generation—dôr tahpukōt (דּוֹר תַּהְפֻּכֹת) means 'a generation of perversions,' from hāphak (to overturn, pervert). Children in whom is no faith (lō'-'ēmun bām)—the word 'ēmun means faithfulness, reliability, or steadfastness. Jesus applies this to His generation: 'O faithless and perverse generation' (Matthew 17:17).

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Historical & Cultural Context

The divine withdrawal described here was progressively fulfilled: God's silence during the 400 years between Malachi and Christ, the destruction of Herod's temple in AD 70, and Israel's dispersion. Yet Romans 11:25-27 promises future restoration when 'all Israel shall be saved,' demonstrating that God's hiding is temporal discipline, not final rejection.

Reflection Questions

  1. What does it mean to experience God 'hiding His face,' and how is this discipline different from abandonment?
  2. How does Jesus's quotation of 'faithless and perverse generation' connect Moses's prophecy to first-century Israel?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 15 words
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר1 of 15

“And he said”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

אַסְתִּ֤ירָה2 of 15

“I will hide”

H5641

to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively

פָנַי֙3 of 15

“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

מֵהֶ֔ם4 of 15
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

אֶרְאֶ֖ה5 of 15

“from them I will see”

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

מָ֣ה6 of 15
H4100

properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and

אַֽחֲרִיתָ֑ם7 of 15

“what their end”

H319

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

כִּ֣י8 of 15
H3588

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

ד֤וֹר9 of 15

“generation”

H1755

properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling

תַּהְפֻּכֹת֙10 of 15

“shall be for they are a very froward”

H8419

a perversity or fraud

הֵ֔מָּה11 of 15
H1992

they (only used when emphatic)

בָּנִ֖ים12 of 15

“children”

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

לֹֽא13 of 15
H3808

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

אֵמֻ֥ן14 of 15

“in whom is no faith”

H529

established, i.e., (figuratively) trusty; also (abstractly) trustworthiness

בָּֽם׃15 of 15
H0

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 32:20 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 32:20 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 31:17-18Luke 7:31-32Deuteronomy 32:5Job 34:29Luke 18:8Jeremiah 18:17

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Deuteronomy 32 QuizTest your knowledge of this chapterDeuteronomy Book QuizComprehensive quiz for the entire book

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