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Deuteronomy 31:16

King James Version (KJV)

“In our prayers we talk to God, in our Bible study God talks to us, and we had better let God do most of the talking.”
— D.L. Moody

Deuteronomy 31:16

Verse 16 of 30

Scripture focus

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.

Deuteronomy 31:16 — KJV

Commentary

Commentary on Deuteronomy 31:16

Theological / Devotional

Behold. Meaning, “pay attention.” What follows is most important.

Sleep. See the same expression for death in 2 Sam. 7:12; 1 Kings 2:10 ; 11:43.

This people. A sad picture of the future history of God’s people.

Whoring. See on Ex. 34:15. There were certain tendencies already manifest that indicated the future conduct of the nation (see Judges 2:7-17). The psalmist has recorded a sad chapter in Israel’s history (see Ps. 106:34-39). They were told not to fear the heathen gods (Judges 6:10), and knew well their duty to the true God (Ex. 20:3).

Break my covenant. By the worship of other gods (see Ex. 20:22, 23; 23:32, 33; Deut. 5:3, 4 ; 6:3, 4). In entering into the covenant relationship they had agreed to recognize the Lord as God, and to love and serve Him only.

By SdaBc