King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 32:7 Mean?

Deuteronomy 32:7 in the King James Version says “Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee. many: Heb. generation and generation”

Deuteronomy 32:7 · KJV

Context

5

They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation. They have: Heb. He hath corrupted to himself their: or, that they are not his children, that is their blot

6

Do ye thus requite the LORD, O foolish people and unwise? is not he thy father that hath bought thee? hath he not made thee, and established thee?

7

Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee. many: Heb. generation and generation

8

When the most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when he separated the sons of Adam, he set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel.

9

For the LORD'S portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance. lot: Heb. cord

Read Deuteronomy 32 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations—zakhor (remember) is a key Deuteronomic command (5:15; 7:18; 8:2), requiring active recollection and covenant fidelity. Bin (consider) means to discern or understand deeply—not superficial nostalgia but theological reflection on God's historical faithfulness.

Ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee—oral tradition preserved covenant history. Fathers and elders (zeqenim) functioned as authoritative transmitters of salvation history, fulfilling the command to teach successive generations (6:6-9, 20-25). This verse establishes the principle of traditioned authority: divine revelation is preserved through faithful communities across time.

The appeal to history combats two errors: presentism (ignoring the past) and innovation (abandoning received truth). Israel's identity wasn't self-constructed but inherited through God's mighty acts. This grounds theology in objective historical revelation rather than subjective religious experience.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Moses addresses the second wilderness generation who didn't personally experience the Exodus plagues, Red Sea crossing, or Sinai theophany. Their knowledge depends on testimony from the previous generation—hence the imperative to 'ask thy father.' This intergenerational teaching pattern shaped Jewish identity, formalized in festivals like Passover where children ask about historical meaning (Exodus 12:26-27). The early Church continued this model through apostolic tradition (2 Thessalonians 2:15; 2 Timothy 2:2), establishing the importance of faithful transmission against heretical innovation. Archaeological discoveries confirm Israel's meticulous historical memory—sites, routes, and events align remarkably with biblical narratives.

Reflection Questions

  1. What practices help you 'remember' God's faithfulness rather than suffering spiritual amnesia?
  2. How are you faithfully transmitting theological truth to the next generation in your family or church?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 13 words
זְכֹר֙1 of 13

“Remember”

H2142

properly, to mark (so as to be recognized), i.e., to remember; by implication, to mention; to be male

יְמ֣וֹת2 of 13

“the 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

עוֹלָ֔ם3 of 13

“of old”

H5769

properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial

בִּ֖ינוּ4 of 13

“consider”

H995

to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e., (generally) understand

שְׁנ֣וֹת5 of 13

“the years”

H8141

a year (as a revolution of time)

וָדֹ֑ר6 of 13

“generations”

H1755

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

וָדֹ֑ר7 of 13

“generations”

H1755

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

שְׁאַ֤ל8 of 13

“ask”

H7592

to inquire; by implication, to request; by extension, to demand

אָבִ֙יךָ֙9 of 13

“thy father”

H1

father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application

וְיַגֵּ֔דְךָ10 of 13

“and he will shew”

H5046

properly, to front, i.e., stand boldly out opposite; by implication (causatively), to manifest; figuratively, to announce (always by word of mouth to

זְקֵנֶ֖יךָ11 of 13

“thee thy elders”

H2205

old

וְיֹ֥אמְרוּ12 of 13

“and they will tell”

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לָֽךְ׃13 of 13
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 32:7 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 32:7 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Psalms 78:3-4Psalms 44:1Job 8:8-10Isaiah 46:9Psalms 77:5-6Deuteronomy 4:32

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