Deuteronomy 31:16
A focused desk for reading, commentary, cross-references, original language notes, and your own observations.
Deuteronomy 31:16
16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.
Chapter Context
Deuteronomy 31 is a sermonic and legal chapter in the Old Testament that explores themes of love, sacrifice, judgment. Written during the end of the wilderness wandering (c. 1406 BCE), this chapter should be understood within its historical context: Moses delivered these speeches as Israel prepared to enter a land filled with different Canaanite city-states.
The chapter can be divided into several sections:
- Verses 1-5: Introduction and setting the context
- Verses 6-12: Development of key themes
- Verses 13-20: Central message and teachings
- Verses 21-30: Conclusion and application
This chapter is significant because it demonstrates God's faithfulness despite human unfaithfulness. When studying this passage, it's important to consider both its immediate context within Deuteronomy and its broader place in the scriptural canon.
Verse Study
Deuteronomy 31:16
16 And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.
Analysis
And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers—the euphemism for death emphasizes rest and reunion. And this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land—God's prophecy of inevitable apostasy. The sexual metaphor zanah (זָנָה, 'commit fornication') depicted idolatry as spiritual adultery, violating the exclusive covenant relationship. And will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them—the predicted rebellion would constitute covenant violation.
God's foreknowledge of Israel's failure didn't excuse their sin or negate their responsibility—prophesying unfaithfulness didn't cause it. This sobering prediction framed Israel's subsequent history: Judges through 2 Kings chronicles the pattern of apostasy-judgment-repentance-deliverance repeatedly. Yet God's foreknowledge also demonstrated His commitment to persevere despite Israel's failures, ultimately providing the faithful Israelite (Christ) who perfectly kept covenant and secured redemption for covenant-breakers.
Historical Context
Spoken circa 1406 BC as warning about post-conquest temptations. The prediction proved tragically accurate: within one generation after Joshua's death, Israel adopted Canaanite Baal worship (Judges 2:11-13). Periods of faithfulness under good kings alternated with idolatry under wicked kings, culminating in Assyrian conquest of Israel (722 BC) and Babylonian exile of Judah (586 BC). Hosea and Ezekiel used the adultery metaphor extensively, showing Israel's persistent covenant-breaking despite prophetic warnings.
Reflection
- How does God's foreknowledge of Israel's failure demonstrate both His omniscience and their genuine moral agency?
- Why does Scripture use marital/sexual metaphors for covenant faithfulness and idolatry?
- What patterns of spiritual adultery (mixed loyalties, worldly compromise) threaten Christians and churches today?
Word Studies
- Lord: יְהוָה / אֲדֹנָי (YHWH / Adonai) H3068 - The LORD / Lord
Cross-References
- Covenant: Exodus 34:15
- References God: Judges 2:12, 10:6, 10:13, Acts 13:36
- Creation: Deuteronomy 32:15
- Parallel theme: 2 Samuel 7:12, Ezekiel 16:15, Revelation 19:2