Deuteronomy 31:29
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.
Original Language Analysis
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
1 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
יָדַ֗עְתִּי
For I know
H3045
יָדַ֗עְתִּי
For I know
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
2 of 27
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
אַֽחֲרֵ֤י
that after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵ֤י
that after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
3 of 27
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
מוֹתִי֙
my death
H4194
מוֹתִי֙
my death
Strong's:
H4194
Word #:
4 of 27
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
5 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תַּשְׁחִת֔וּן
corrupt
H7843
תַּשְׁחִת֔וּן
corrupt
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
6 of 27
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
תַּשְׁחִת֔וּן
corrupt
H7843
תַּשְׁחִת֔וּן
corrupt
Strong's:
H7843
Word #:
7 of 27
to decay, i.e., (causatively) ruin (literally or figuratively)
וְסַרְתֶּ֣ם
yourselves and turn aside
H5493
וְסַרְתֶּ֣ם
yourselves and turn aside
Strong's:
H5493
Word #:
8 of 27
to turn off (literally or figuratively)
מִן
H4480
מִן
Strong's:
H4480
Word #:
9 of 27
properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses
הַדֶּ֔רֶךְ
from the way
H1870
הַדֶּ֔רֶךְ
from the way
Strong's:
H1870
Word #:
10 of 27
a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֥ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
11 of 27
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
צִוִּ֖יתִי
which I have commanded
H6680
צִוִּ֖יתִי
which I have commanded
Strong's:
H6680
Word #:
12 of 27
(intensively) to constitute, enjoin
אֶתְכֶ֑ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֑ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
13 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וְקָרָ֨את
will befall
H7122
וְקָרָ֨את
will befall
Strong's:
H7122
Word #:
14 of 27
to encounter, whether accidentally or in a hostile manner
אֶתְכֶ֤ם
H853
אֶתְכֶ֤ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּאַֽחֲרִ֣ית
you in the latter
H319
בְּאַֽחֲרִ֣ית
you in the latter
Strong's:
H319
Word #:
17 of 27
the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
הַיָּמִ֔ים
days
H3117
הַיָּמִ֔ים
days
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
18 of 27
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
כִּֽי
H3588
כִּֽי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
19 of 27
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
תַעֲשׂ֤וּ
because ye will do
H6213
תַעֲשׂ֤וּ
because ye will do
Strong's:
H6213
Word #:
20 of 27
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
21 of 27
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּעֵינֵ֣י
in the sight
H5869
בְּעֵינֵ֣י
in the sight
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
23 of 27
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
24 of 27
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לְהַכְעִיס֖וֹ
to provoke him to anger
H3707
לְהַכְעִיס֖וֹ
to provoke him to anger
Strong's:
H3707
Word #:
25 of 27
to trouble; by implication, to grieve, rage, be indignant
Cross References
Judges 2:19And it came to pass, when the judge was dead, that they returned, and corrupted themselves more than their fathers, in following other gods to serve them, and to bow down unto them; they ceased not from their own doings, nor from their stubborn way.Deuteronomy 32:5They have corrupted themselves, their spot is not the spot of his children: they are a perverse and crooked generation.Genesis 49:1And Jacob called unto his sons, and said, Gather yourselves together, that I may tell you that which shall befall you in the last days.Hosea 9:9They have deeply corrupted themselves, as in the days of Gibeah: therefore he will remember their iniquity, he will visit their sins.
Historical Context
Prophesied circa 1406 BC, fulfilled progressively through Israel's history. The 'latter days' encompassed both near-term apostasy (during Judges and the monarchy) and eschatological implications (exile, return, Messiah's coming). Within one generation after Joshua's death, Israel served Baals and Asherahs (Judges 2:11-13). The northern kingdom's complete idolatry led to Assyrian conquest (722 BC). Judah's repeated rebellions despite prophetic warnings resulted in Babylonian exile (586 BC). Only Christ's coming and the new covenant addressed Israel's fundamental inability to keep the old covenant.
Questions for Reflection
- How should believers persevere in ministry when failure seems inevitable or results are discouraging?
- What's the relationship between human responsibility (Israel's guilt) and inability (they will corrupt themselves)?
- How does Moses's prophecy prepare for Christ's necessity—the perfect Israelite who kept covenant perfectly?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves—Moses predicted complete moral collapse. The Hebrew hashchet tashchitun (הַשְׁחֵת תַּשְׁחִתוּן) uses emphatic construction: 'surely you will utterly corrupt.' And turn aside from the way which I have commanded you—deviation from covenant path. And evil will befall you in the latter days—judgment in future generations. Because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands—idolatry (handmade gods) would trigger divine wrath.
This prophecy, tragic in its certainty, framed Israel's entire subsequent history. Moses knew that despite miracles, teaching, warnings, and covenant renewal, Israel would fail catastrophically. Yet he persisted in instruction, established Joshua's leadership, wrote the law-book, and composed the witness-song. His example models faithfulness despite predicted failure—obey God's calling regardless of anticipated results. God's purposes transcend immediate success; often faithful ministry plants seeds harvested generations later, or provides testimony that condemns to prepare for grace.