Deuteronomy 31:21
And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.
Original Language Analysis
וְ֠הָיָה
H1961
וְ֠הָיָה
Strong's:
H1961
Word #:
1 of 31
to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
2 of 31
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תִמְצֶ֨אןָ
are befallen
H4672
תִמְצֶ֨אןָ
are befallen
Strong's:
H4672
Word #:
3 of 31
properly, to come forth to, i.e., appear or exist; transitively, to attain, i.e., find or acquire; figuratively, to occur, meet or be present
אֹת֜וֹ
H853
אֹת֜וֹ
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
4 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רַבּוֹת֮
And it shall come to pass when many
H7227
רַבּוֹת֮
And it shall come to pass when many
Strong's:
H7227
Word #:
6 of 31
abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality)
וְ֠עָֽנְתָה
shall testify
H6030
וְ֠עָֽנְתָה
shall testify
Strong's:
H6030
Word #:
8 of 31
properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e., pay attention; by implication, to respond; by extension to begin to speak; specifically to sing, shout,
לְפָנָיו֙
against
H6440
לְפָנָיו֙
against
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
11 of 31
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
לְעֵ֔ד
them as a witness
H5707
לְעֵ֔ד
them as a witness
Strong's:
H5707
Word #:
12 of 31
concretely, a witness; abstractly, testimony; specifically, a recorder, i.e., prince
כִּ֛י
H3588
כִּ֛י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
13 of 31
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
14 of 31
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תִשָּׁכַ֖ח
for it shall not be forgotten
H7911
תִשָּׁכַ֖ח
for it shall not be forgotten
Strong's:
H7911
Word #:
15 of 31
to mislay, i.e., to be oblivious of, from want of memory or attention
מִפִּ֣י
out of the mouths
H6310
מִפִּ֣י
out of the mouths
Strong's:
H6310
Word #:
16 of 31
the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech); specifically edge, portion or side; adverbially (with prepos
זַרְע֑וֹ
of their seed
H2233
זַרְע֑וֹ
of their seed
Strong's:
H2233
Word #:
17 of 31
seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity
כִּ֧י
H3588
כִּ֧י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
18 of 31
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָדַ֣עְתִּי
for I know
H3045
יָדַ֣עְתִּי
for I know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
19 of 31
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
20 of 31
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
יִצְר֗וֹ
their imagination
H3336
יִצְר֗וֹ
their imagination
Strong's:
H3336
Word #:
21 of 31
a form; figuratively, conception (i.e., purpose)
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
22 of 31
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
ה֤וּא
H1931
ה֤וּא
Strong's:
H1931
Word #:
23 of 31
he (she or it); only expressed when emphatic or without a verb; also (intensively) self, or (especially with the article) the same; sometimes (as demo
עֹשֶׂה֙
which they go about
H6213
עֹשֶׂה֙
which they go about
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
24 of 31
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
הַיּ֔וֹם
even now
H3117
הַיּ֔וֹם
even now
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
25 of 31
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
בְּטֶ֣רֶם
H2962
בְּטֶ֣רֶם
Strong's:
H2962
Word #:
26 of 31
properly, non-occurrence; used adverbially, not yet or before
אֲבִיאֶ֔נּוּ
before I have brought
H935
אֲבִיאֶ֔נּוּ
before I have brought
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
27 of 31
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הָאָ֖רֶץ
them into the land
H776
הָאָ֖רֶץ
them into the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
29 of 31
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
Historical Context
Spoken circa 1406 BC, implemented immediately (31:22), and fulfilled throughout Israel's history. When the Babylonian exile came, Israelites in captivity could sing this song and understand their situation—not random tragedy but covenant consequences. The song provided interpretive framework for suffering, preventing either denial (blaming circumstances) or despair (losing hope). This pattern continues: Scripture memorized before crisis provides divine perspective during crisis, interpreting events through God's eyes rather than human confusion.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's foreknowledge of rebellion demonstrate omniscience while preserving human moral responsibility?
- Why is it crucial to learn Scripture before crisis, when memory and perspective function best?
- How does the song's dual function (witness against sin, hope for restoration) balance justice and mercy?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness—when covenant curses arrived, the song would explain causation: suffering resulted from covenant violation. For it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed—the song's memorability ensured it would persist through generations. For I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware—God knew Israel's rebellious intentions before they acted on them, even before entering the land where temptation would peak.
The song's witness function was both condemning and merciful. It would explain suffering (you broke covenant) while pointing toward restoration (God remains faithful). The phrase 'I know their imagination' reveals God's omniscience regarding not just actions but intentions and thoughts (Psalm 94:11, 139:2). This foreknowledge didn't cause rebellion but demonstrated that judgment would be just—God knew their hearts fully. Yet His knowing their future failure didn't prevent His leading them forward, showing divine patience and redemptive purpose despite human unfaithfulness.