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Deuteronomy 31:29 - Future rebellion foretold

Deuteronomy 31:29 - דברים 31:29

Hebrew Text

כִּי יָדַעְתִּי אַחֲרֵי מוֹתִי כִּי־הַשְׁחֵת תַּשְׁחִתוּן וְסַרְתֶּם מִן־הַדֶּרֶךְ אֲשֶׁר צִוִּיתִי אֶתְכֶם וְקָרָאת אֶתְכֶם הָרָעָה בְּאַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים כִּי־תַעֲשׂוּ אֶת־הָרַע בְּעֵינֵי יְהוָה לְהַכְעִיסוֹ בְּמַעֲשֵׂה יְדֵיכֶם׃

English Translation

For I know that after my death you will surely become corrupted, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because you will do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.

Transliteration

Ki yadati acharei moti ki-hashchet tashchitun vesartem min-haderech asher tzivit etchem vekarat etchem hara'ah be'acharit hayamim ki-ta'asu et-hara be'enei Adonai lehach'iso bema'aseh yedeichem.

Hebrew Leining Text

כִּ֣י יָדַ֗עְתִּי אַחֲרֵ֤י מוֹתִי֙ כִּֽי־הַשְׁחֵ֣ת תַּשְׁחִת֔וּן וְסַרְתֶּ֣ם מִן־הַדֶּ֔רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּ֖יתִי אֶתְכֶ֑ם וְקָרָ֨את אֶתְכֶ֤ם הָרָעָה֙ בְּאַחֲרִ֣ית הַיָּמִ֔ים כִּֽי־תַעֲשׂ֤וּ אֶת־הָרַע֙ בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה לְהַכְעִיס֖וֹ בְּמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה יְדֵיכֶֽם׃
כִּ֣י יָדַ֗עְתִּי אַחֲרֵ֤י מוֹתִי֙ כִּֽי־הַשְׁחֵ֣ת תַּשְׁחִת֔וּן וְסַרְתֶּ֣ם מִן־הַדֶּ֔רֶךְ אֲשֶׁ֥ר צִוִּ֖יתִי אֶתְכֶ֑ם וְקָרָ֨את אֶתְכֶ֤ם הָרָעָה֙ בְּאַחֲרִ֣ית הַיָּמִ֔ים כִּֽי־תַעֲשׂ֤וּ אֶת־הָרַע֙ בְּעֵינֵ֣י יְהֹוָ֔ה לְהַכְעִיס֖וֹ בְּמַעֲשֵׂ֥ה יְדֵיכֶֽם׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Devarim (Deuteronomy)

This verse (Devarim 31:29) appears in Moshe Rabbeinu's final address to Bnei Yisrael before his passing. It is part of his prophetic warning about future spiritual decline. Rashi explains that Moshe foresaw, through ruach hakodesh (divine inspiration), the inevitable straying of the nation after his death, particularly during the era of the Judges (Sefer Shoftim).

Key Phrases and Their Interpretations

  • "כִּי יָדַעְתִּי אַחֲרֵי מוֹתִי" (For I know after my death): The Sifri notes that Moshe's prophecy was not merely conjecture but divinely revealed knowledge. Rambam (Hilchos Yesodei HaTorah 7:7) cites this as an example of true nevuah (prophecy), where a navi speaks with certainty about future events.
  • "הַשְׁחֵת תַּשְׁחִתוּן" (You will surely become corrupted): The double language emphasizes the severity and inevitability of the corruption. Ibn Ezra suggests this refers to idolatry, while Ramban links it to abandoning Torah study—the root of all moral decline.
  • "וְקָרָאת אֶתְכֶם הָרָעָה בְּאַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים" (Evil will befall you in the latter days): The Talmud (Sanhedrin 97a) connects "acharit hayamim" to the period preceding Mashiach's arrival, marked by suffering due to spiritual failings. Malbim explains this as a cause-and-effect relationship: straying from Torah invites divine retribution.

Theological Implications

The Meshech Chochmah highlights that Moshe's warning underscores free will—even with foreknowledge, Hashem allows humanity to choose. The "work of your hands" (מַעֲשֵׂה יְדֵיכֶם) refers not only to physical idols (per Rashi) but also, as Sforno expands, to human arrogance in prioritizing mortal wisdom over divine commandments.

Historical Fulfillment

Radak notes this prophecy manifested in the cycles of sin and punishment in Sefer Shoftim and later exiles. The Midrash (Devarim Rabbah 7:11) states that Moshe's lament here parallels Hashem's grief over human frailty, teaching that leaders must rebuke with love—as Moshe does—even when foreseeing failure.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is quoted in the Talmud.

📖 Sotah 37a
The verse is referenced in the context of discussing the future behavior of the Israelites and the consequences of straying from God's commandments.
📖 Sanhedrin 90a
The verse is cited in a discussion about the latter days and the eventual return to God's ways.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 31:29 mean?
A: In Deuteronomy 31:29, Moshe (Moses) predicts that after his death, the Jewish people will stray from the Torah's commandments and engage in wrongdoing, which will lead to negative consequences in the future. This reflects Moshe's deep concern for the spiritual well-being of the nation and serves as a warning to remain faithful to Hashem's teachings.
Q: Why is this verse important in Judaism?
A: This verse is important because it highlights the principle of free will and the consequences of straying from Torah observance. Rashi explains that Moshe foresaw the future challenges the Jewish people would face, emphasizing the need for strong leadership and commitment to mitzvot (commandments) to prevent spiritual decline.
Q: What can we learn from Deuteronomy 31:29 today?
A: We learn the importance of staying connected to Torah values and avoiding spiritual complacency. The Rambam (Maimonides) teaches that even when challenges arise, we must strive to uphold mitzvot and correct our ways. This verse reminds us that our actions have long-term consequences, both individually and collectively.
Q: How does this verse apply to Jewish history?
A: Throughout Jewish history, this verse has been seen as a prophecy about periods of spiritual decline, such as before the destruction of the First and Second Temples. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 97a) discusses how repentance and returning to Torah can avert such tragedies, showing that the verse also carries a message of hope and redemption.
Q: What does 'the latter days' refer to in this verse?
A: The phrase 'the latter days' (אַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים) refers to future times when the consequences of straying from Torah will become evident. According to traditional Jewish interpretation, this includes periods of exile and hardship, but also hints at the eventual redemption, as the Jewish people ultimately return to Hashem.