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Deuteronomy 29:21 - Future generations witness Divine justice.

Deuteronomy 29:21 - דברים 29:21

Hebrew Text

וְאָמַר הַדּוֹר הָאַחֲרוֹן בְּנֵיכֶם אֲשֶׁר יָקוּמוּ מֵאַחֲרֵיכֶם וְהַנָּכְרִי אֲשֶׁר יָבֹא מֵאֶרֶץ רְחוֹקָה וְרָאוּ אֶת־מַכּוֹת הָאָרֶץ הַהִוא וְאֶת־תַּחֲלֻאֶיהָ אֲשֶׁר־חִלָּה יְהוָה בָּהּ׃

English Translation

so that the generation to come of your children that shall rise up after you, and the alien that shall come from a far land, shall say, when they see the plagues of that land, and the sicknesses which the Lord has laid upon it;

Transliteration

Ve'amar hador ha'acharon bneichem asher yakumu me'achareichem vehanachri asher yavo me'eretz rechoka vera'u et-makot ha'aretz hahi ve'et-tachalu'eha asher-chilah Adonai bah.

Hebrew Leining Text

וְאָמַ֞ר הַדּ֣וֹר הָאַחֲר֗וֹן בְּנֵיכֶם֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר יָק֙וּמוּ֙ מֵאַ֣חֲרֵיכֶ֔ם וְהַ֨נׇּכְרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָבֹ֖א מֵאֶ֣רֶץ רְחוֹקָ֑ה וְ֠רָא֠וּ אֶת־מַכּ֞וֹת הָאָ֤רֶץ הַהִוא֙ וְאֶת־תַּ֣חֲלֻאֶ֔יהָ אֲשֶׁר־חִלָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה בָּֽהּ׃
וְאָמַ֞ר הַדּ֣וֹר הָאַחֲר֗וֹן בְּנֵיכֶם֙ אֲשֶׁ֤ר יָק֙וּמוּ֙ מֵאַ֣חֲרֵיכֶ֔ם וְהַ֨נׇּכְרִ֔י אֲשֶׁ֥ר יָבֹ֖א מֵאֶ֣רֶץ רְחוֹקָ֑ה וְ֠רָא֠וּ אֶת־מַכּ֞וֹת הָאָ֤רֶץ הַהִוא֙ וְאֶת־תַּ֣חֲלֻאֶ֔יהָ אֲשֶׁר־חִלָּ֥ה יְהֹוָ֖ה בָּֽהּ׃

🎵 Listen to leining

Parasha Commentary

Context in Devarim (Deuteronomy)

This verse appears in Devarim 29:21, within the broader context of the Tochacha (the rebuke), where Moshe warns Bnei Yisrael of the severe consequences of abandoning the covenant with Hashem. The verse describes how future generations—both Jewish descendants and foreigners—will witness the devastation of the land as a result of disobedience.

Rashi's Explanation

Rashi (Devarim 29:21) emphasizes that the phrase "the plagues of that land" refers to the curses enumerated earlier in the Tochacha. He explains that the land will become desolate, unfit for cultivation, and visibly afflicted—a stark contrast to its previous fertility. This serves as a testimony to the severity of violating the covenant.

Rambam's Perspective

In Hilchot Teshuvah (7:5), Rambam (Maimonides) discusses how the desolation of the land serves as a divine sign to inspire repentance. He notes that when later generations or foreigners see the land's devastation, they will recognize it as a consequence of Israel's sins and be moved to reflect on their own actions.

Midrashic Interpretation

The Sifrei (Devarim 29:21) elaborates that the phrase "the alien that shall come from a far land" includes even gentile travelers who will bear witness to the land's condition. Their acknowledgment of Hashem's justice will serve as a Kiddush Hashem (sanctification of God's name), demonstrating that the land's fate is not arbitrary but a direct result of divine retribution.

Key Themes

  • Divine Justice: The verse underscores that the land's desolation is a direct consequence of violating the covenant, serving as a tangible manifestation of divine justice.
  • Educational Purpose: The suffering of the land is meant to instruct future generations and outsiders about the gravity of abandoning Torah values.
  • Universal Witness: Even non-Jews will recognize the hand of Hashem in the land's condition, reinforcing the idea that divine providence governs the world.

📚 Talmud Citations

This verse is not quoted in the Talmud.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What does Deuteronomy 29:21 mean?
A: Deuteronomy 29:21 speaks about future generations and strangers who will witness the consequences of abandoning Hashem's commandments. The verse describes how they will see the plagues and afflictions that Hashem brought upon the land as a result of disobedience. Rashi explains that this serves as a warning to future generations to learn from the mistakes of the past and remain faithful to the covenant.
Q: Why is Deuteronomy 29:21 important?
A: This verse is important because it emphasizes the lasting impact of our actions on future generations. The Rambam (Maimonides) teaches that the Torah's warnings about consequences are meant to inspire repentance (teshuvah) and reinforce the importance of keeping mitzvot. It reminds us that our choices affect not only ourselves but also those who come after us.
Q: What can we learn from Deuteronomy 29:21 today?
A: We learn that our spiritual and moral behavior has long-term consequences. The Midrash teaches that the land of Israel is sensitive to the deeds of its inhabitants—rewarding righteousness with blessing and punishing sin with hardship. Today, this verse reminds us to uphold Torah values so that future generations will inherit a spiritually healthy and blessed land.
Q: Who are the 'alien' and 'future generation' mentioned in this verse?
A: The 'future generation' refers to the descendants of the Israelites, while the 'alien' (נָכְרִי) refers to non-Jews who come from distant lands. The Talmud (Sanhedrin 39b) explains that even outsiders will recognize the divine justice behind the plagues, serving as a testimony to Hashem's covenant with the Jewish people.
Q: How does this verse connect to the concept of reward and punishment?
A: This verse illustrates the Torah's principle of reward and punishment (שכר ועונש). The Sforno explains that the plagues and sicknesses mentioned are a direct result of violating the covenant. The verse teaches that Hashem's justice is evident in the world, and future generations will see the consequences of straying from Torah observance.