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

Deuteronomy 31:29 (KJV) says: "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."
The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible, also known as the Pentateuch. It is traditionally ascribed to Moses and is part of the Old Testament. The verse is part of Moses' farewell address to the Israelites, as they are about to enter the Promised Land.
The verse reflects a sense of foreboding and warning from Moses to the Israelites. He knows that after his death, the people will corrupt themselves and turn away from the path that he has shown them. This corruption and turning away from God's commandments will lead to evil befalling them in the latter days. Moses predicts that their actions will provoke God to anger, leading to disastrous consequences.
The themes present in this verse include prophecy, disobedience, consequences of actions, and the need for repentance. Throughout the book of Deuteronomy, Moses has repeatedly emphasized the importance of obedience to God's commands and the dire consequences of disobedience. This verse continues that theme, warning the Israelites about the potential consequences of their actions.
The context of this verse is important for understanding its meaning. Moses, as the leader of the Israelites, has spent years guiding and teaching them. As he nears the end of his life, he is concerned about the future of the people he has led. He knows that they are prone to disobedience and idolatry, as they have demonstrated repeatedly throughout their history. In this farewell address, he is urging them to remain faithful to God's commandments and warning them about the potential consequences of their actions.
The symbolism in this verse is powerful. It serves as a reminder of the human tendency to turn away from God and the need for repentance and obedience. Moses' words also carry the weight of a prophet, foretelling the future of the Israelites and the challenges they will face.
The verse also highlights the role of leaders in guiding and instructing their followers. Moses, as a leader and prophet, takes on the responsibility of warning the Israelites about the potential consequences of their actions. His words reflect a deep sense of concern and love for his people, as he tries to steer them away from a path of disobedience and towards a life of faithfulness to God.
Overall, Deuteronomy 31:29 serves as a powerful warning and reminder of the consequences of disobedience and the importance of remaining faithful to God's commandments. It reflects the timeless struggle of humanity to stay on the path of righteousness and the need for repentance and obedience. The verse also showcases the role of leaders in guiding and admonishing their followers, as well as the enduring themes of prophecy and God's justice throughout the biblical narrative.
Have questions about Deuteronomy 31:29?
Dive deeper into this scripture with Bible Chat — an AI-powered tool for exploring God's Word through conversation. Ask questions, get context, and grow in your understanding of the Bible.
Get Our Apps
Deuteronomy 31:29 Artwork
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."
"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
deuteronomy 31 8
Deuteronomy 31:8
Deuteronomy 31:1 - "And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel."
Deuteronomy 1:29-31 - "Then I said to you, 'Do not be terrified; do not be afraid of them. The Lord your God, who is going before you, will fight for you, as he did for you in Egypt, before your very eyes, and in the wilderness. There you saw how the Lord your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place."
Deuteronomy 32:31 - "For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges."
Proverbs 31:29 - "Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all."
Numbers 31:29 - "Take it of their half, and give it unto Eleazar the priest, for an heave offering of the LORD."
Deuteronomy 3:29 - "So we abode in the valley over against Beth-peor."
Deuteronomy 1:29 - "Then I said unto you, Dread not, neither be afraid of them."
Deuteronomy 29:14 - "Neither with you only do I make this covenant and this oath;"
Deuteronomy 31:22 - "¶ Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel."
Deuteronomy 31:25 - "That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,"
Deuteronomy 32:29 - "O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!"
Exodus 29:31 - "¶ And thou shalt take the ram of the consecration, and seethe his flesh in the holy place."
Deuteronomy 31:15 - "And the LORD appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud: and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle."
Genesis 29:31 - "¶ And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren."
Deuteronomy 31:30 - "And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended."
Joshua 24: 29-31 An image including old Jushua
Deuteronomy 29:29 - "The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law."
Deuteronomy 29:3 - "The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles:"
Deuteronomy 29:27 - "And the anger of the LORD was kindled against this land, to bring upon it all the curses that are written in this book:"
Deuteronomy 29:8 - "And we took their land, and gave it for an inheritance unto the Reubenites, and to the Gadites, and to the half tribe of Manasseh."
Job 31:29 - "If I rejoiced at the destruction of him that hated me, or lifted up myself when evil found him:"
Deuteronomy 31:10 - "And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles,"
Deuteronomy 29:9 - "Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do."
Jeremiah 31:29 - "In those days they shall say no more, The fathers have eaten a sour grape, and the children's teeth are set on edge."
Numbers 29:31 - "And one goat for a sin offering; beside the continual burnt offering, his meat offering, and his drink offering."
Deuteronomy 31:26 - "Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee."