BibleWord.ai› Bible› Deuteronomy› Chapter 31› Verse 20

Deuteronomy 31:20

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 31:20 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, flowing with milk and honey, and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxed fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and despise me, and break my covenant.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, flowing with milk and honey, and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxed fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and despise me, and break my covenant.
Deuteronomy 31:20 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
17Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall come upon them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us because our God is not among us?
18And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evil which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods.
19Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach thou it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.
20For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, flowing with milk and honey, and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxed fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and despise me, and break my covenant.
21And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are come upon them, that this song shall testify before them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they frame this day, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.
22So Moses wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel.
23And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of good courage; for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.
← Deuteronomy 31:19Deuteronomy 31:21 →
← Full Chapter 31 Deuteronomy Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, etc.] To give it to them, and put them into the possession of it, even the land of Canaan, often thus described, and as it is by the following character: that floweth with milk and honey; aboundeth with all good things; (see <020308> Exodus 3:8); and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; that is, after they have for a considerable time enjoyed the good things of the land, and they abound with them, and increase in them, and have great fullness of them: then will they turn unto other gods: turn from the Lord who has brought them into all this plenty, from the fear, worship, and service of…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical 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, which were manifested by his being summoned into the tabernacle with Moses while the Lord appeared in the pillar of cloud (compare Numbers 11:25; Numbers 12:5). Deuteronomy 31:16 The future apostasy of the people is announced in the presence of Joshua that the latter might be fully aware of the danger and strive in his day to avert it. This he faithfully did (compare Joshua 24:31); but we find him in his own last address to Israel repeating Joshua 23:15-16 the self-same prediction and warning.…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“31:20 land flowing with milk and honey: See study note on 6:3. • become fat: Fatness did not imply obesity or self-indulgence but blessing and prosperity. • despise me: Israel would disregard the Lord and treat him lightly by falsely assuming that their prosperity had come through their own efforts or through the false gods of the land.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“when: Deu 6:10-12, Deu 7:1, Deu 8:7 floweth: Exo 3:8, Exo 3:17 eaten: Deu 8:10-14; Neh 9:25, Neh 9:26 waxen fat: Deu 32:15; Neh 9:25, Neh 9:26, Neh 9:35; Psa 17:10, Psa 73:7, Psa 119:70; Jer 5:28, Jer 50:11; Eze 34:16, Eze 34:20; Hos 13:6 then: Deu 31:16, Deu 31:17 Deuteronomy 31:21”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Deuteronomy 31 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification