Moses’ Warning of Apostasy
Deuteronomy 31:14-29
Deu.31.14 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הן: PART
- קרבו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ימיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs+2ms
- למות: VERB,qal,inf
- קרא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- והתיצבו: VERB,hitpael,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- באהל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מועד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואצונו: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg+3,m,sg.obj
- וילך: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ויהושע: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויתיצבו: VERB,hitpael,wayyiqtol,3,m,pl
- באהל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מועד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 27:18-23 (verbal): God instructs Moses to lay his hand on Joshua and set him before Eleazar and the congregation so he may stand before them and receive a charge—closely parallels the command to call Joshua and present him in the tent of meeting.
- Joshua 1:1-9 (structural): After the death of Moses God commissions Joshua and charges him to be strong and courageous; this passage continues and realizes the transfer of leadership announced in Deut 31:14.
- Deuteronomy 34:1-9 (structural): Narrates the death of Moses and the completion of his ministry, providing the fulfillment/context for the impending death and succession referred to in Deut 31:14.
- Exodus 33:7-11 (thematic): Describes the tent of meeting as the place where Moses and others stood and where God spoke to Moses face to face; parallels the setting (ohel moed) and corporate appearance before God in Deut 31:14.
- 1 Kings 2:1-4 (thematic): David’s final charge to Solomon before his death functions as an analogous instance of a departing leader giving instructions and a charge to his successor, echoing the leadership-transfer motif in Deut 31:14.
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, the days of your death draw near; call Joshua and have him stand in the Tent of Meeting, and I will commission him.” So Moses and Joshua went and stood in the Tent of Meeting.
- The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, the days of your death draw near; call Joshua and have him stand in the Tent of Meeting, for I will commission him.” So Moses and Joshua went and stood in the Tent of Meeting.
Deu.31.15 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וירא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- באהל: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בעמוד: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ענן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויעמד: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- עמוד: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הענן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- על: PREP
- פתח: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- האהל: NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Exodus 33:9-11 (verbal): Describes a pillar of cloud descending and standing at the tent door and the LORD speaking to Moses — language and scene closely parallel to Deut 31:15.
- Exodus 40:34-38 (structural): Reports the cloud and the glory of the LORD filling the tabernacle and the cloud's presence by day and fire by night, paralleling the motif of divine presence in the tent.
- Numbers 9:15-23 (thematic): Narrates the cloud's dwelling on the tabernacle and its movements that regulated Israel's camping and journeys — continues the theme of the cloud as God’s visible presence and guide.
- Exodus 13:21-22 (verbal): Speaks of the LORD going before Israel in a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night, echoing the pillar-of-cloud imagery signaling divine presence and guidance.
Alternative generated candidates
- And the LORD appeared in the Tent in the pillar of cloud, and the pillar of cloud stood at the entrance of the Tent.
- The LORD appeared in the tent in a pillar of cloud, and the pillar of cloud stood at the entrance of the tent.
Deu.31.16 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- הנך: PRON,2,m,sg
- שכב: VERB,qal,inf
- עם: PREP
- אבתיך: NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss:2,m
- וקם: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- וזנה: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- אחרי: PREP
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- נכר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- בא: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- שמה: ADV
- בקרבו: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRS,3,sg
- ועזבני: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg+PRON,1,sg
- והפר: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בריתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss1,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- כרתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,sg
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
Parallels
- Jeremiah 11:10-11 (verbal): Uses near-verbatim language about the people going after other gods and breaking God's covenant (’went after other gods… have broken my covenant’), echoing Deut 31:16’s prediction of apostasy.
- Judges 2:11-15 (thematic): Narrates Israel’s recurring apostasy—‘they served Baal and Ashtaroth’ and the LORD gave them into enemies’ hands—paralleling Deut 31:16’s forecast that the people will forsake God for foreign gods and suffer consequences.
- 2 Kings 17:7-23 (structural): Provides a historical-theological summary linking Israel’s worship of foreign gods and covenant unfaithfulness to exile, functioning as a narrative fulfillment of the warning in Deut 31:16.
- Hosea 4:12-13 (verbal): Prophetic denunciation uses the ‘whoredom’/idolatry motif (spirit of harlotry leading them astray; they offer sacrifices to Baal) echoing Deut 31:16’s imagery of the people ‘playing the harlot’ after foreign gods.
- Ezekiel 16:15 (allusion): Ezekiel’s allegory depicts Jerusalem’s abandonment of Yahweh for foreign lovers (harlotry imagery) and covenant infidelity, alluding to the same theme and metaphors found in Deut 31:16.
Alternative generated candidates
- The LORD said to Moses, “You are about to lie down with your fathers; and this people will rise up and prostitute themselves after the foreign gods of the land they are entering, and they will forsake me and break the covenant that I made with them.
- And the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, you shall lie down with your fathers; and this people will rise up and prostitute themselves after the foreign gods of the land which they are entering and among which they will live. They will forsake me and break the covenant that I made with them.
Deu.31.17 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וחרה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- אפי: NOUN,m,sg,poss1s
- בו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- ועזבתים: CONJ+VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- והסתרתי: CONJ+VERB,hiph,perf,1,?,sg
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- מהם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- לאכל: INF,qal
- ומצאהו: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,f,sg,obj:3m
- רעות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- רבות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- וצרות: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- ואמר: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- הלא: PART
- על: PREP
- כי: CONJ
- אין: PART,neg
- אלהי: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- בקרבי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,poss1s
- מצאוני: VERB,qal,impf,3,?,pl,obj:1s
- הרעות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
Parallels
- Deut.31.18 (structural): Immediate continuation/parallel in the same speech: God repeats that He will hide His face from Israel because of their evil and abandon them, amplifying the consequences described in 31:17.
- Deut.32.20 (verbal): In the Song of Moses God says 'I will hide my face from them' and declares judgment for their idolatry—same verbal motif and consequence of divine withdrawal.
- Lev.26:16–17 (thematic): In the covenant curses God describes sending terror and setting His face against disobedient Israel; thematically parallels divine abandonment and punitive afflictions.
- Ps.13:1 (verbal): The psalmist cries 'How long, O LORD? will you hide your face?'—a personal lament that echoes the language and experience of divine absence in Deut 31:17.
- Hosea 5:6 (allusion): Prophetic depiction of Israel seeking the Lord and not finding Him because He has withdrawn—parallels the people's realization in Deut 31:17 that God is no longer among them.
Alternative generated candidates
- My anger will flare against them on that day; I will abandon them and hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured—many disasters and distresses shall find them. Then they will say on that day, ‘Is it not because my God is not among me that these evils have come upon me?’”
- My anger will burn against them that day, and I will forsake them and hide my face from them; they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall find them. And they will say on that day, ‘Is it not because there is no God among me that these evils have come upon me?’”
Deu.31.18 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואנכי: PRON,1,sg
- הסתר: INFABS,qal
- אסתיר: VERB,qal,impf,1,sg
- פני: NOUN,m,sg,cons
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- על: PREP
- כל: DET
- הרעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- פנה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אחרים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 31:17 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same chapter: God says He will be provoked to anger, forsake them and hide His face when they turn to other gods — nearly identical language and context.
- Deuteronomy 32:20 (verbal): In the Song of Moses God declares, 'I will hide my face from them,' describing abandonment because they provoke Him to jealousy by idols — repeats the motif and wording.
- Leviticus 26:17 (thematic): Part of the covenant curses: God sets His face against Israel and brings punishment when they disobey — thematically parallels withdrawal of divine presence as consequence of apostasy.
- Isaiah 54:8 (allusion): Uses the phrase 'I hid my face' in describing a temporary hiding of God's presence in anger followed by mercy — echoes the motif of hidden face due to wrath but points toward restoration.
- Ezekiel 39:29 (allusion): A contrasting use of the same motif: after judgment God promises not to hide His face any more from Israel, highlighting the theme of hidden face during punishment and subsequent restoration.
Alternative generated candidates
- “And I will surely hide my face on that day because of all the evil they have done, in turning to other gods.”
- And I indeed will hide my face on that day because of all the evil they have done in turning to other gods.
Deu.31.19 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ועתה: CONJ
- כתבו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- השירה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- ולמדה: VERB,hiph,imp,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שימה: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- בפיהם: PREP+NOUN,m,pl+PRON,3,m,pl
- למען: PREP
- תהיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,f,sg
- לי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- השירה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- לעד: ADV
- בבני: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,const
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deut.31.22 (structural): Same narrative: Moses immediately writes the song in a book—continues the instruction to ‘write this song’ (direct continuation of the command).
- Deut.32:1-43 (quotation): The Song of Moses itself—the text Moses commands to be written and taught; functions as the witness mentioned in 31:19.
- Deut.32:46-47 (verbal): Repeated imperative to ‘set your heart’ and take the words to heart and teach them to your children—echoes 31:19’s emphasis on teaching the song to Israel.
- Psalm 78:5-7 (thematic): Commands to make God’s laws known to the next generation so they might set their hope in God—parallels the instruction to teach the song as a lasting witness.
- Joshua 1:7-8 (thematic): Charge to keep and meditate on God's instruction and to act accordingly—parallel concern for preserving, teaching, and retaining covenantal instruction across generations.
Alternative generated candidates
- “Now therefore write down for yourselves this song and teach it to the people of Israel; put it on their lips, that this song may be for me an enduring witness among the people of Israel.
- Now therefore write for yourselves this song and teach it to the people of Israel; put it in their mouths, so that this song may be a witness for me against the people of Israel.
Deu.31.20 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- אביאנו: VERB,qal,imf,1,m,sg,suf:3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- האדמה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נשבעתי: VERB,niphal,perf,1,_,sg
- לאבתיו: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs,poss3,m
- זבת: PART,qal,ptc,prs,f,sg
- חלב: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ודבש: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ואכל: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ושבע: NUM,m,sg,abs
- ודשן: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,_,pl
- ופנה: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,_,pl
- אל: NEG
- אלהים: NOUN,m,pl,abs
- אחרים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- ועבדום: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,_,pl
- ונאצוני: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,_,pl
- והפר: CONJ+VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בריתי: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss1,sg
Parallels
- Deut.31.16 (quotation): Immediate parallel within the same chapter: God tells Moses Israel will turn to other gods and break the covenant—essentially the same prediction repeated.
- Deut.31.21 (verbal): Continuation/echo in the same speech: God instructs Moses to write a song because the people will provoke the LORD and forsake the covenant when they prosper in the land.
- Exod.32:7-10 (thematic): Early instance of Israel's apostasy—turning to other gods (the golden calf) and provoking God after failing to keep covenant obligations.
- Judg.2:11-15 (thematic): After the leadership of Joshua, Israel serves foreign gods, provokes the LORD, and breaks the covenant—introducing the cyclical pattern of apostasy and punishment.
- 2 Kgs.17:7-23 (structural): Summarizes Israel's history of covenant failure and idolatry—turning to other gods, disobeying statutes, and thus losing the land, paralleling Deut 31:20's cause-and-effect pattern.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I will bring them into the land I swore to their fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey; and they shall eat and be satisfied and grow fat, and then turn to other gods and serve them, despise me, and break my covenant.
- For I will bring them into the land I swore to their fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey; and they will eat and be satisfied and become fat. Then they will turn to other gods and serve them and spurn me and break my covenant.
Deu.31.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- תמצאן: VERB,qal,impf,3,f,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- רעות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- רבות: ADJ,f,pl,abs
- וצרות: CONJ+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- וענתה: VERB,qal,perf,3,f,sg
- השירה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- לפניו: PREP+PRON,3,m,sg
- לעד: ADV
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- תשכח: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- מפי: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- זרעו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+3ms
- כי: CONJ
- ידעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- יצרו: NOUN,m,sg,abs+PRON,3,m,sg
- אשר: PRON,rel
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- בטרם: PREP
- אביאנו: VERB,qal,imf,1,m,sg,suf:3,m,pl
- אל: NEG
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נשבעתי: VERB,niphal,perf,1,_,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 31:19 (verbal): Immediate context: Moses is commanded to write the song—this verse explains why the song is written and preserved as a testimony against Israel's future disobedience.
- Deuteronomy 31:26 (structural): Both verses emphasize preserving the law/song as a lasting witness; v.26 directs placing the Book of the Law beside the ark so it may serve as testimony, paralleling the song's role in v.21.
- Deuteronomy 32:1–43 (quotation): The Song of Moses itself (ch.32) is the material referred to in v.21; the chapter articulates the charges, judgments, and reminders that the song will proclaim.
- Psalm 78:4–7 (thematic): Both passages concern transmitting memory and instruction to later generations so God's acts and covenantal warnings are not forgotten and so children might remain faithful.
- Joshua 24:25–27 (structural): Joshua records the covenant and sets up a written/witness monument (stone) to testify against future unfaithfulness—paralleling Deut.31:21's idea of a written/song witness to Israel's future failure.
Alternative generated candidates
- When many evils and troubles befall them, this song shall testify before them as a witness; for I know the inclination of their heart today—what they will do even before I bring them into the land I swore to their fathers.”
- And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles befall them, that this song will testify against them as a witness; for it will not be forgotten from the mouths of their offspring, because I know their inclination which they are forming today, before I bring them into the land I swore.
Deu.31.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויכתב: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- השירה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- ביום: PREP
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- וילמדה: VERB,hiphil,impf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Deut.31.19 (verbal): The immediate command to "write this song" and "teach it to the children of Israel"—Deut 31:22 records Moses carrying out the instruction given in v.19.
- Deut.32:1-43 (quotation): The Song of Moses itself (Deut 32) — the text that v.22 says Moses wrote and taught; Deut 32 contains the full content of the song.
- Deut.31:24-26 (verbal): A parallel report that Moses finished writing "the words of this law in a book" and deposited it with the priests—similar language and theme of Moses' authorship and preservation of sacred text.
- Exod.15:1-21 (thematic): The Song of the Sea, another communal song attributed to Moses and Israel celebrating divine deliverance—parallels in function (communal proclamation, memory/teaching) and in the motif of Moses leading the people in song.
Alternative generated candidates
- So Moses wrote this song that same day and taught it to the people of Israel.
- So Moses wrote this song the same day and taught it to the people of Israel.
Deu.31.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- בן: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- נון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- חזק: ADJ,m,sg,abs
- ואמץ: VERB,hif,perf,3,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- תביא: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- בני: NOUN,m,pl,construct
- ישראל: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אל: NEG
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- נשבעתי: VERB,niphal,perf,1,_,sg
- להם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- ואנכי: PRON,1,sg
- אהיה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- עמך: NOUN,m,sg,suff-2m
Parallels
- Joshua 1:5-9 (quotation): Direct repetition of the commissioning formula—'Be strong and courageous' and the promise 'I will be with you' addressed to Joshua as Moses' successor.
- Deuteronomy 31:6-8 (verbal): Immediate parallel within the same speech containing the same exhortation to be strong/courageous and assurances that God will not fail or forsake them and will go before them.
- Isaiah 41:10 (thematic): God's encouragement not to fear, with promises of strength, help, and His presence—themes echoing the assurance given to Joshua.
- Psalm 27:14 (thematic): Uses the same exhortation to 'be strong' and 'take heart' while trusting the LORD—resonant language of courage and reliance on God's presence.
Alternative generated candidates
- And he commanded Joshua son of Nun: “Be strong and courageous; for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to give them. And I will be with you.”
- And he commanded Joshua the son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to them; and I will be with you.”
Deu.31.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויהי: VERB,qal,wayyiqtol,3,m,sg
- ככלות: PREP+INFN,qal,inf
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לכתב: PREP+INFN,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- דברי: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,1,c,sg
- התורה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזאת: DEM,f,sg,def
- על: PREP
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- עד: PREP
- תמם: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 24:4 (verbal): Both passages state that Moses wrote the words of the LORD/this covenant — a direct verbal parallel about Moses recording divine instruction.
- Exodus 34:27-28 (allusion): God commands Moses to 'write these words' and Moses records the covenant/ten words; background event and rationale for Moses' writing echoed in Deut 31:24.
- Deuteronomy 31:9 (verbal): Near-contemporary verse in the same narrative: Moses wrote 'this law' and delivered it to the priests — an internal verbal and narrative parallel confirming the composition and custody of the book.
- Deuteronomy 31:26 (thematic): Moses instructs that 'this book of the law' be placed beside the ark — connects the finished written law (31:24) with its preservation and canonical placement.
- Joshua 1:8 (thematic): The 'book of the law' is treated as an authoritative, read-and-meditated text for Israel's life and success, reflecting the function and authority of the book Moses finished writing in Deut 31:24.
Alternative generated candidates
- When Moses had finished writing the words of this Torah in a book to the very end,
- When Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book until they were complete,
Deu.31.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויצו: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- משה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- את: PRT,acc
- הלוים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- נשאי: NOUN,m,pl,const
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Deut.10:8 (verbal): Explicitly states that the LORD separated the tribe of Levi to carry the ark of the covenant—same language and role as in Deut 31:25.
- Numbers 4:15 (structural): Gives detailed instructions for the Kohathite Levites regarding handling and carrying the holy furnishings, paralleling Moses’ charge to the ark‑bearers.
- Exodus 25:14-15 (verbal): Prescribes the poles and rings for carrying the ark and orders that the poles remain in the rings—practical regulations tied to the Levites’ duty to carry the ark.
- 1 Chronicles 15:12-15 (thematic): Narrates David’s charge to the Levites to sanctify themselves and carry the ark into Jerusalem, echoing the leadership’s commands concerning Levites as ark‑bearers.
Alternative generated candidates
- Moses commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,
- Moses commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,
Deu.31.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לקח: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- ספר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- התורה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- ושמתם: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- אתו: PRON,3,m,sg,acc
- מצד: PREP
- ארון: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- ברית: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- והיה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- שם: ADV
- בך: PREP+PRON,2,m,sg
- לעד: ADV
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 31:24-26 (structural): Immediate context: Moses finishes writing the law and gives the written book to the Levites to place beside the ark—essentially the same instruction and setting as v.26.
- Deuteronomy 17:18-19 (thematic): Command that the king write out a copy of the law and keep it with him to read daily—reflects the concern for a written, accessible legal text as a continual witness and guide.
- Joshua 1:7-8 (verbal): Joshua is charged to keep the Book of the Law always on his lips and meditate on it for success—continues the theme of preserving and living by the written Torah.
- Joshua 24:26-27 (thematic): Joshua writes the covenant words in the Book and sets up a stone as a witness—parallels the practices of committing covenantal words to writing and establishing tangible witnesses.
- 2 Kings 22:8 (allusion): Hilkiah finds 'the Book of the Law' in the temple and it is read to the king, prompting covenant reform—illustrates the authoritative, covenantal role of the written scroll kept in the sanctuary.
Alternative generated candidates
- “Take this book of the Torah and put it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and it shall be there as a witness against you.
- “Take this book of the law and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and it shall remain there with you as a witness.
Deu.31.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- אנכי: PRON,1,sg
- ידעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- מריך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2mp
- ואת: CONJ
- ערפך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2mp
- הקשה: VERB,hif,perf,3,m,sg
- הן: PART
- בעודני: PREP+VERB,qal,ptcp,1,-,sg
- חי: ADJ,m,sg
- עמכם: PREP+PRON,2,pl
- היום: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ממרים: ADJ,m,pl,abs
- היתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,-,pl
- עם: PREP
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- ואף: CONJ+ADV
- כי: CONJ
- אחרי: PREP
- מותי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1s
Parallels
- Deut.9:7-8 (verbal): Moses recalls Israel’s repeated rebellion and hard-neckedness using language very similar to 31:27 — ‘you have been rebellious against the LORD’ — emphasizing their persistent stubbornness.
- Exod.32:8 (thematic): Describes Israel’s quick apostasy (making the golden calf) while Moses was absent on the mountain — a concrete precedent for the concern that they will rebel when leadership is removed.
- Judg.21:25 (thematic): ‘In those days there was no king in Israel…’ depicts moral and social decline in the absence of centralized leadership, echoing Deut 31:27’s worry that things will worsen after Moses’ death.
- Deut.32:15 (structural): Part of the Song of Moses that directly follows ch.31; it portrays Israel’s corruption and abandonment of God (Jeshurun grew fat and kicked), developing the very charge of rebellion and unfaithfulness raised in 31:27.
Alternative generated candidates
- For I know your rebellion and your stubbornness; while I am still alive with you today you have been rebellious against the LORD—how much more after my death!
- For I know your rebellion and your stiff neck; even while I am still alive with you today you have been rebellious against the LORD—how much more after my death?
Deu.31.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- הקהילו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,pl
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- זקני: NOUN,m,pl,cons
- שבטיכם: NOUN,m,pl,suff
- ושטריכם: CONJ+NOUN,m,pl,def,poss:2,m,pl
- ואדברה: VERB,qal,impf,1,_,sg
- באזניהם: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs+3mp
- את: PRT,acc
- הדברים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- ואעידה: CONJ+VERB,qal,fut,1,sg
- בם: PREP+PRON,3,m,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- השמים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- ואת: CONJ
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
Parallels
- Deut.30.19 (verbal): Directly parallels the formula 'I call heaven and earth to witness against you today'—the covenantal summons to choose life or death.
- Deut.4.26 (verbal): Earlier use of the same witness-formula calling heaven and earth to testify against Israel for disobedience.
- Deut.32.1 (verbal): Moses again addresses 'heavens' and 'earth' to hear his words (the Song of Moses), echoing the appeal to cosmic witnesses.
- Joshua 24.27 (structural): Joshua records a public covenant ceremony and sets up a stone 'for a witness'—a comparable communal and legal witnessing of covenant obligations.
- Isaiah 1.2 (verbal): Prophetic summons 'Hear, O heavens, and give ear, O earth'—the motif of invoking the heavens and earth as witnesses to God's indictment.
Alternative generated candidates
- Assemble before me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their hearing and call heaven and earth to witness against them.
- Assemble to me all your elders and your officers, that I may speak these words in their hearing and call heaven and earth to witness against them.
Deu.31.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- כי: CONJ
- ידעתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,?,sg
- אחרי: PREP
- מותי: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1s
- כי: CONJ
- השחת: VERB,qal,infabs
- תשחתון: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl
- וסרתם: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,pl
- מן: PREP
- הדרך: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- צויתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- וקראת: VERB,qal,perf,2,ms
- אתכם: PRT+PRON,2,m,pl
- הרעה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- באחרית: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,const
- הימים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- כי: CONJ
- תעשו: VERB,qal,impv,2,pl
- את: PRT,acc
- הרע: ADJ,m,sg,def
- בעיני: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,abs
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- להכעיסו: PREP+VERB,hiphil,inf+OBJ,3,m,sg
- במעשה: PREP
- ידיכם: NOUN,f,pl,abs
Parallels
- Deut.31:16-18 (verbal): Immediate parallel in the same narrative where God (speaking to Moses) predicts Israel will corrupt themselves and turn from the way commanded, using language and motifs nearly identical to v.29.
- Deut.31:20-21 (structural): Continuation of the same prophecy/song theme: Moses writes a song to confront Israel and God anticipates hiding His face and bringing disaster because of their future disobedience—same cause/effect pattern as v.29.
- Deut.4:25-28 (verbal): Earlier Deuteronomic warning that if Israel corrupts themselves and worships other gods in later days they will be scattered and punished—uses similar future-oriented language about apostasy and divine judgment.
- Judges 2:10-13 (thematic): Narrative fulfillment motif: after the generation that knew the LORD dies, the people turn to other gods and do evil—an historical echo of the prediction in Deut.31:29.
- 2 Kings 17:7-23 (thematic): Summary explanation of Israel's exile as the result of persistent disobedience and idolatry—illustrates the ultimate calamity God warned about in Deut.31:29 (evil befalling them in later days).
Alternative generated candidates
- For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves and turn aside from the way I have commanded you; and disaster will befall you in the last days, for you will do evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him by the works of your hands.”
- For I know that after my death you 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 you will do what is evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him by the work of your hands.”
The LORD said to Moses, “Behold, your days draw near for you to die; call Joshua and have him stand in the Tent of Meeting, that I may commission him.” So Moses and Joshua went and stood in the Tent of Meeting. And the LORD appeared in the Tent in the pillar of cloud, and the pillar of cloud stood at the entrance of the Tent. And the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, you shall lie down with your fathers; and this people will arise and prostitute themselves after the foreign gods of the land into which they are entering. They will forsake me and break the covenant that I made with them.
Then my anger will burn against them that day, and I will forsake them and hide my face from them; they will be consumed, and calamity and distress will find them. And they will say on that day, ‘Is it not because there is no God in my midst that these calamities have found me?’”
“And I indeed will hide my face that day because of all the evil that they have done, in turning to other gods.”
“Now therefore write for yourselves this song, and teach it to the people of Israel; put it in their mouths, that this song may be for me a witness forever among the Israelites.
For I will bring them into the land that I swore to their fathers, a land flowing with milk and honey; and they shall eat and be satisfied and grow fat, and then they will turn to other gods and serve them, spurning me and breaking my covenant. And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles have found them, that this song will confront them as a witness; it shall not be forgotten from the mouths of their offspring, for I know the bent of their nature today before I bring them into the land that I swore. So Moses wrote this song on that day and taught it to the people of Israel. And he commanded Joshua son of Nun and said, “Be strong and courageous, for you shall bring the people of Israel into the land that I swore to give them; and I will be with you.”
When Moses had finished writing the words of this Torah in a book to the very end,
Moses commanded the Levites who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,
“Take this book of the Torah, and place it beside the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and it shall be there with you as a witness.
For I know your rebellion and your stubborn neck; even while I am yet alive with you today you have been rebellious against the LORD—how much more after my death?
Gather to me all your elders and your officials, that I may speak these words in their hearing and call heaven and earth to witness against them.
For I know that after my death you will surely act corruptly and turn aside from the way that I have commanded you; and in the latter days calamity will befall you, because you will do what is evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him by the work of your hands.”