Commentaries Dictionaries Concordances

Kretzmann's Popular Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:21

And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness, for in singing the praises of God's mercy it would remind them of their base ingratitude, and in holding out mercy to them in case they would repent, it would put them to shame; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed, being transmitted after the manner of a folk-song, it would live on among the people; for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware; the Lord was aware, by virtue of His omniscience, that they would realize their evil intentions and perform their idolatrous purpose.

Continues after advertising

See also Deuteronomy 31:21 in other biblical comments:

  • Adam Clarke Bible Commentary

    Verse Deuteronomy 31:21. _THIS SONG SHALL TESTIFY AGAINST THEM_] Because in it their general defection is predicted, but in such a way as to show them how to avoid the evil; and if they did not avoid...

  • Albert Barnes' Bible Commentary

    The transaction recorded in these verses may be regarded as the solemn inauguration of Joshua to the office to which he had some time before Numbers 27:22 been called, and his recognition in it by God...

  • Annotated Bible by A.C. Gaebelein

    III. THE FINAL WORDS OF MOSES AND THE VISION OF THE FUTURE 1. Moses' Final Charge, The Written Law Delivered, and Jehovah's Word to Moses CHAPTER 31 _ 1. The final charge of Moses (Deuteronomy 31:1...

  • Arthur Peake's Commentary on the Bible

    Part of D according to Kuenen, Dillmann, etc. It is this law (D) which is to be read at Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:13) and septennially in the year of release (Deuteronomy 15:1 ff.*). Deuteronomy 31:...

  • Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes

    THIS SONG. Second mention of this Song. TESTIFY AGAINST. answer them to their face. NOT BE FORGOTTEN. This song quoted and referred to more than any other part of Pentateuch. I SWARE. The Samaritan...

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    _many evils … are come upon_ IT] Cp. Deuteronomy 31:17; _this song shall testify_ TO ITS FACE, the same vb. as in Deuteronomy 19:18; _as a witness, Deuteronomy 31:19_; ITS s

  • Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

    Again Joshua's Commission, with Introduction to Moses" Song The composition is very curious. In Deuteronomy 31:14_; Deuteronomy 31:23_we have an account of the charge to Joshua, which is in substance...

  • College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

    b. MOSES COMMANDED TO WRITE A SONG AS A WITNESS AGAINST ISRAEL (Deuteronomy 31:16-22) 16 And Jehovah said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and play...

  • Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

    _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 TUR...

  • Darby's translation notes (1890)

    31:21 befallen (c-13) Lit. 'found.'...

  • Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible

    FAREWELL EXHORTATIONS OF MOSES TO THE PEOPLE AND JOSHUA. HE DELIVERS THE LAW TO THE PRIESTS. THE ASSEMBLING OF THE CONGREGATION 1. These words] i.e. the following words....

  • EasyEnglish Bible Commentaries

    DEUTERONOMY: GOD’S LAW OF LOVE LOVE AND OBEY THE *LORD YOUR GOD DEUTERONOMY _PHILIP SMITH_ CHAPTER 31 V1 Then Moses continued to speak to all the *Israelites. V2 ‘I am now 120 years old. I canno...

  • Ellicott's Commentary On The Whole Bible

    THIS SONG... SHALL NOT BE FORGOTTEN OUT OF THE MOUTHS OF THEIR SEED. — And it is not forgotten now. St. Paul made special use of it in the last days of the second Temple. This song is a favourite piec...

  • ETCBC data on Hebrew bible

    וְ֠ הָיָה כִּֽי ־תִמְצֶ֨אןָ אֹתֹ֜ו רָעֹ֣ות רַ

  • Frederick Brotherton Meyer's Commentary

    THE CHARGE TO HIS SUCCESSOR Deuteronomy 31:14 Moses had already announced that Joshua would succeed him; but in view of the great difficulties which confronted the new leader, it was expedient that...

  • G. Campbell Morgan's Exposition on the Whole Bible

    At the conclusion of his fourth discourse, Moses talked to the people concerning his own departure and encouraged them in view of the fact that they were coming into the land by assuring them of the c...

  • Geneva Study Bible Commentary

    And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall (l) testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: fo...

  • George Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary

    _Thoughts. Hebrew, "imagination." Septuagint, "wickedness." --- Them. Hebrew, "concerning which I swore." Septuagint add, "to their fathers." (Haydock)_...

  • Hawker's Poor man's commentary

    The LORD'S mercy is again magnified, in causing all the grand leading points of Israel's history to be incorporated in this song; the particulars of which are all of a gospel tendency, and will meet u...

  • Introductory Lectures - Commentary by William Kelly

    It is clear that a new division of the statutes and judgments of this book begins with the later verses just read from Deuteronomy 16:1-22. What belonged to the religious life of Israel was closed wit...

  • John Darby's Synopsis

    In chapter 31 he introduces Joshua, as the leader under whom the people were to take possession of the promised land. He orders that the law should be read before all every seventh year, in order that...

  • John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

    AND IT SHALL COME TO PASS, WHEN MANY EVILS AND TROUBLES ARE BEFALLEN THEM,.... As did in the times of the judges, in the Babylonish captivity, and do now in their present exile: THAT THIS SONG SHALL...

  • John Trapp Complete Commentary

    And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I...

  • Joseph Benson’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    _This song shall testify against them as a witness_ That they were sufficiently admonished of their duty, and forewarned what would be the consequence of their defection from me and my worship, (Deute...

  • KJV Original Language Details

    1 Moses incourageth the people. 7 Hee incourageth Ioshua. 9 Hee deliuereth the Law vnto the Priests to reade it in the seuenth yere to the people. 14 God giueth a charge to Ioshua, 19 and a song t...

  • Leslie M. Grant's Commentary on the Bible

    MOSES GIVING WAY TO JOSHUA (vs.1-8) Having finished his exposition of the law, Moses looks on to the future, so that the subject to the end of Deuteronomy is prophetic. Moses begins by announcing th...

  • Marginal Notes in the King James Version (1611)

    AGAINST: _ Heb._ before GO: _ Heb._ do...

  • Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible

    14-22 Moses and Joshua attended the Divine Majesty at the door of the tabernacle. Moses is told again that he must shortly die; even those who are most ready and willing to die, need to be often remi...

  • Matthew Poole's Concise Commentary On The Bible

    IT SHALL NOT BE FORGOTTEN: this seems not to be a precept that they should remember it, but a prediction, that God would give them sad occasion to remember it, by bringing upon them the dreadful calam...

  • Notes on the Pentateuch by Charles Henry Mackintosh

    The heart of Moses still lingers, with deep tenderness and affectionate solicitude, over the congregation. It seems as though he could never weary of pouring into their ears his earnest exhortations....

  • Patchworkid's Personal Study Bible Notes

    Deuteronomy 31:21 many H7227 evils H7451 troubles H6869 come H4672 (H8799) song H7892 testify H6030 (H8804

  • Peter Pett's Commentary on the Bible

    MOSES' FINAL CHARGE FROM YAHWEH (DEUTERONOMY 31:14). God now called Moses and Joshua into the Tent of Meeting, and when they had entered, the cloud stood over the door of the Tent of Meeting in order...

  • Summarized Bible Commentary

    CONTENTS: Moses' last counsel to the priests and instruction to the Levites. Warning of Israelitish apostasy. CHARACTERS: God, Moses, Joshua. CONCLUSION: It is a great encouragement to God's people...

  • Sutcliffe's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

    Deuteronomy 31:2. _I can no more go out and come in._ Though Moses's senses were in vigour, yet he felt the infirmities which admonish aged men to retire. Deuteronomy 31:7. _Moses called to Joshua,_ t...

  • The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary

    CRITICAL REMARKS.—Moses had finished the interpretation and enforcement of the law. But his work is not quite accomplished, he therefore makes final arrangements. DEUTERONOMY 31:1. Encouragement to Is...

  • The Pulpit Commentaries

    PART IV.—FAREWELL ADDRESS OF MOSES, WITH HIS PARTING SONG AND BENEDICTION. CHAPTERS 31-33. EXPOSITION _Moses _had now finished his work as the legislator and ruler and leader of Israel. But ere he f...

  • Through The Bible C2000 Serie by Chuck Smith

    So Moses, chapter thirty-one, went and spoke these words to all Israel. And he said unto them, I am now a hundred and twenty years old today (Deuteronomy 31:1-2). Happy birthday, dear Moses. One hund...

  • Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

    Acts 2:23; Acts 4:28; Amos 5:25; Amos 5:26; Deuteronomy 31:19;...

  • Wesley's Explanatory Notes

    Their imaginations — Inclinations to Idolatry, which they do not check, as they ought; and some of them do not only cherish it in their hearts, but as far as they can and dare, secretly practise it, a...

Continues after advertising