Deuteronomy Chapter 32 · Verse 20
And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.
Original Language Analysis
אַסְתִּ֤ירָה
I will hide
H5641
אַסְתִּ֤ירָה
I will hide
Strong's:
H5641
Word #:
2 of 15
to hide (by covering), literally or figuratively
פָנַי֙
my face
H6440
פָנַי֙
my face
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
3 of 15
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
אֶרְאֶ֖ה
from them I will see
H7200
אֶרְאֶ֖ה
from them I will see
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
5 of 15
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
מָ֣ה
H4100
מָ֣ה
Strong's:
H4100
Word #:
6 of 15
properly, interrogative what? (including how? why? when?); but also exclamation, what! (including how!), or indefinitely what (including whatever, and
אַֽחֲרִיתָ֑ם
what their end
H319
אַֽחֲרִיתָ֑ם
what their end
Strong's:
H319
Word #:
7 of 15
the last or end, hence, the future; also posterity
כִּ֣י
H3588
כִּ֣י
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
8 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
ד֤וֹר
generation
H1755
ד֤וֹר
generation
Strong's:
H1755
Word #:
9 of 15
properly, a revolution of time, i.e., an age or generation; also a dwelling
תַּהְפֻּכֹת֙
shall be for they are a very froward
H8419
תַּהְפֻּכֹת֙
shall be for they are a very froward
Strong's:
H8419
Word #:
10 of 15
a perversity or fraud
בָּנִ֖ים
children
H1121
בָּנִ֖ים
children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
12 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Historical Context
The divine withdrawal described here was progressively fulfilled: God's silence during the 400 years between Malachi and Christ, the destruction of Herod's temple in AD 70, and Israel's dispersion. Yet Romans 11:25-27 promises future restoration when 'all Israel shall be saved,' demonstrating that God's hiding is temporal discipline, not final rejection.
Questions for Reflection
- What does it mean to experience God 'hiding His face,' and how is this discipline different from abandonment?
- How does Jesus's quotation of 'faithless and perverse generation' connect Moses's prophecy to first-century Israel?
Analysis & Commentary
I will hide my face from them—astîrāh phānay (אַסְתִּירָה פָנַי) describes God's covenantal withdrawal, removing His protective presence and blessing. This terrifying phrase appears throughout Deuteronomy (31:17-18) and the prophets (Isaiah 54:8, Ezekiel 39:23-24) as the ultimate covenant curse. God's face represents favor, guidance, and protection—to lose it is spiritual abandonment.
For they are a very froward generation—dôr tahpukōt (דּוֹר תַּהְפֻּכֹת) means 'a generation of perversions,' from hāphak (to overturn, pervert). Children in whom is no faith (lō'-'ēmun bām)—the word 'ēmun means faithfulness, reliability, or steadfastness. Jesus applies this to His generation: 'O faithless and perverse generation' (Matthew 17:17).