What does Deuteronomy 31:29 mean?

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

Explanation

This verse, found in the book of Deuteronomy in the Old Testament, is part of Moses’ farewell speech to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land and before his death. In this verse, Moses is predicting that after his death, the Israelites will forsake the commandments and covenant that God has established with them. The warning foretells a future corruption in the behavior of the people, leading to their deviation from the path God has set for them. The phrase “evil will befall you in the latter days” implies that the consequences of their disobedience will manifest in the future, bringing about suffering and calamity as a direct result of their actions “to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.”

Historical Context

The book of Deuteronomy is one of the five books of the Torah or Pentateuch and is set in the time just before the Israelites are about to enter the land of Canaan. The Israelites had been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years as a consequence of their lack of faith and rebellion against God’s commands. This verse encapsulates the ongoing concern that the people of Israel would continue to stray from God’s laws even after settling in the Promised Land. It reflects Moses’ anxiety regarding the future fidelity of the nation to the covenant with God, especially once the guiding presence of their leader was gone.

Theological Insights

From a theological perspective, Deuteronomy 31:29 highlights the concepts of prophecy, human free will, and divine justice. The verse serves as a prophetic warning and contains an implicit challenge to the Israelites – the future is not unchangeably fixed, and their choices will have implications. From a Christian viewpoint, it might be seen as an early recognition of humanity’s inclination toward sin and the need for divine intervention and salvation. Conversely, Jewish interpretations might emphasize the need for continual devotion to the Torah and the consequences of turning away from its teachings.

Practical Applications

The verse serves as a reminder of the importance of steadfastness in faith and moral conduct. In a practical sense, people can reflect on this passage as a warning against complacency in their spiritual lives. It encourages individuals to consider the long-term consequences of their actions and the way that they might impact both their personal journey and their community, calling for continual self-examination and repentance when they stray from their values.

Cross-References

• Deuteronomy 4:25-26: “When thou shalt beget children, and children’s children, and ye shall have remained long in the land, and shall corrupt yourselves, and make a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, and shall do evil in the sight of the LORD thy God, to provoke him to anger;”
• Deuteronomy 28:15: “But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee:”
• Judges 2:10-12: “And also all that generation were gathered unto their fathers: and there arose another generation after them, which knew not the LORD, nor yet the works which he had done for Israel.”

Language Study

The key phrase within the Hebrew text of this verse is “ve-shachetem” (ושחתם), which translates as “you will utterly corrupt yourselves.” The root of this verb, “shachath,” carries the meaning of decay, ruin, or destruction. The use of this term in the future tense signifies an almost inevitable downfall due to the people’s actions. Another significant term is “charah” (עברה), translated “to provoke him to anger,” which conveys a strong sense of inciting wrath through wrongful actions.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

Ancient Near Eastern cultures were often concerned with the consequences of failing to obey the gods. This verse echoes the broader cultural understanding that improper conduct or failure to properly worship deities could lead to divine retribution. In Mesopotamian myth, errant behaviors of people often led to calamitous results, reflected in stories like the Epic of Gilgamesh or the myth of the Great Flood, parallels to which also appear in biblical narratives.

Scientific Perspectives

In a modern context, interpretations of religious texts are sometimes interwoven with psychological and sociological understandings of behavior and its consequences. From a scientific standpoint, this verse is not making a predictive statement based on empirical evidence, but rather it conveys a religious and moral truth according to the belief systems of the time. Scientific perspectives might be applied in understanding the social dynamics and outcomes of collective behaviors, particularly those related to ethical and moral decision-making.

Commentaries

Various Bible commentators have provided insight into this verse. Matthew Henry comments on the faithfulness of God in his warnings and how they are given for the benefit of people to avert the evils foretold by repenting. The Pulpit Commentary reflects on the certainty of Moses’ prophecy, as it was fulfilled in the history of Israel when they turned away to idolatry and suffered the consequences. Jewish commentators such as Rashi might focus on the importance of following the Torah and God’s laws to avoid such calamities. These interpretations underscore the perceived inevitability of the outcome, the mercy inherent in the warning, and the call to adherence to God’s commandments.