Deuteronomy 31:20

God Commissions Joshua · Deuteronomy 31:14–23
Read Deuteronomy 31

Translations

Modern
When I have brought them into the land that I swore to give their fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey, they will eat their fill and prosper. Then they will turn to other gods and worship them, and they will reject Me and break My covenant.
Traditional
For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.
Literal
When I have brought them to the land that I have sworn to their fathers, flowing with milk and honey, and they have eaten and filled themselves and grown fat, they will turn to other gods and serve them, and they will spurn Me and break My covenant.
Latin
Introducam enim eum in terram, pro qua juravi patribus ejus, lacte et melle manantem. Cumque comederint, et saturati, crassique fuerint, avertentur ad deos alienos, et servient eis: detrahentque mihi, et irritum facient pactum meum.

Original

Hebrew
English
When I have brought them into the land that I swore to give their fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey, they will eat their fill and prosper. Then they will turn to other gods and worship them, and they will reject Me and break My covenant.

Notes

  • land flowing with milk and honey: See study note on 6:3.

  • eat their fill: Fatness suggested blessing and prosperity, not obesity or self-indulgence.

  • reject me: Israel would ignore God and dishonor him by wrongly thinking their prosperity came from their own efforts or the false gods of the land.

In the future, when the community sings this song, it will remind them of God's past faithfulness and their frequent disloyalty (32:1–43). The song includes major blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience. The people of Israel will sing it to show they accept these promises and warnings. Through music, they will remember God's blessings for obedience and call for God's judgment if they are unfaithful.

For a covenant document to remain binding and important, it had to be kept in a place where both sides could easily find it.

The book of Deuteronomy needed to be preserved for future generations. In this way, Israel would continue to remember to submit to the Lord’s rule.

Theme notes and profiles

Moses Ancient Law Codes Remember Him

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Book of Exodus Deuteronomy, Book of Joshua, Book of Moses Numbers, Book of Pillar of Fire and Cloud

Topics

Backsliders: Backsliding of Israel Christian Minister: Charge Delivered To Death: Scenes of Death of Moses Forsaking God: Prosperity Tempts To Idolatry: Denunciations Against Idolatry: They Who Practise: Provoke God Ingratitude to God: Prosperity Likely to Produce Prosperity: Dangers of Riches: General Scriptures Concerning