King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 4:31 Mean?

Deuteronomy 4:31 in the King James Version says “(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.”

Deuteronomy 4:31 · KJV

Context

29

But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

30

When thou art in tribulation, and all these things are come upon thee, even in the latter days, if thou turn to the LORD thy God, and shalt be obedient unto his voice; are: Heb. have found thee

31

(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

32

For ask now of the days that are past, which were before thee, since the day that God created man upon the earth, and ask from the one side of heaven unto the other, whether there hath been any such thing as this great thing is, or hath been heard like it?

33

Did ever people hear the voice of God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as thou hast heard, and live?

Read Deuteronomy 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them.

Moses grounds Israel's hope not in their future faithfulness but in God's unchanging character. The parenthetical declaration El rachum Yahweh Elohekha (אֵל רַחוּם יְהוָה אֱלֹהֶיךָ, 'the LORD thy God is a merciful God') reveals the foundation: divine compassion (rachum, from rechem, 'womb') suggests maternal tenderness and covenant commitment.

Three negations reinforce this mercy: God will not yarph (יַרְפְּךָ, 'forsake/abandon'), will not yashchit (יַשְׁחִיתֶךָ, 'destroy'), and will not yishkach (יִשְׁכַּח, 'forget') the covenant. The first addresses fear of abandonment in exile; the second, fear of annihilation; the third, fear that God's promises might lapse through divine forgetfulness. Each fear is met with emphatic denial.

The ultimate anchor is berit avotekha (בְּרִית אֲבֹתֶיךָ, 'covenant of thy fathers')—the unconditional promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, confirmed by divine oath (nishba lahem). Israel's restoration depends not on earning forgiveness but on God's covenant fidelity. This anticipates the New Covenant, where God's promises in Christ secure believers eternally—not because of our faithfulness but because of His (2 Timothy 2:13).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Moses grounds hope in God's covenant faithfulness and mercy. Despite Israel's anticipated failures, God's promise to the patriarchs Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (made some 400-600 years before Moses' time) would remain secure. This assurance was vital as Israel prepared to enter Canaan without Moses' leadership.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does grounding assurance in God's character rather than your own faithfulness change your experience of security in Christ?
  2. Which of the three fears addressed here—abandonment, destruction, or being forgotten—most resonates with your own spiritual struggles?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
כִּ֣י1 of 17
H3588

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

אֵ֤ל2 of 17

“God”

H410

strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)

רַחוּם֙3 of 17

“is a merciful”

H7349

compassionate

יְהוָ֣ה4 of 17

“For the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ5 of 17

“thy God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

לֹ֥א6 of 17
H3808

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

יַרְפְּךָ֖7 of 17

“he will not forsake”

H7503

to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative)

וְלֹ֣א8 of 17
H3808

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

יַשְׁחִיתֶ֑ךָ9 of 17

“thee neither destroy”

H7843

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

וְלֹ֤א10 of 17
H3808

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

יִשְׁכַּח֙11 of 17

“thee nor forget”

H7911

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

אֶת12 of 17
H853

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

בְּרִ֣ית13 of 17

“the covenant”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

אֲבֹתֶ֔יךָ14 of 17

“of thy fathers”

H1

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

אֲשֶׁ֥ר15 of 17
H834

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

נִשְׁבַּ֖ע16 of 17

“which he sware”

H7650

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

לָהֶֽם׃17 of 17
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 4:31 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 4:31 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deuteronomy 31:8Psalms 116:5Nehemiah 9:31Jonah 4:2Leviticus 26:422 Chronicles 30:9

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