Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 32:29

O that they were wise, [that] they understood this, [that] they would consider their latter end!

29. consider their latter end ] This is weak and omits the preposition to which conveys the full sense understand, or see through, to their ultimate fate, past this temporary triumph over Israel to the punishment God has in store for them, Deu 32:34. Deu 32:29-31 are regarded by some as a later intrusion by one who wrongly interpreted Deu 32:28 of Israel; and indeed Deu 32:32 more naturally connects with 28, which it confirms, than with 31. Note also that God is not the speaker in them.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Verse 29. That they would consider their latter end!] archaritham, properly, their latter times-the glorious days of the Messiah, who, according to the flesh, should spring up among them. Should they carefully consider this subject, and receive the promised Saviour, they would consequently act as persons under infinite obligations to God; his strength would be their shield, and then:-

Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible

What their end will be; and that although God spare them long, yet at last judgment will certainly overtake them.

Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole

29. Oh, . . . that they wouldconsider their latter endThe terrible judgments, which, in theevent of their continued and incorrigible disobedience, would impartso awful a character to the close of their national history.

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

O that they were wise,…. These are not the words of God, and so no instances of mere velleities, and unsuccessful wishes in him, and as arguing a power in man to make himself wise if he would; but of Moses, under a spirit of prophecy, foreseeing the ignorance and stupidity of the above persons; or as representing a true believer in Christ, in the times in which such men should live; for the person speaking is one that had faith in Christ, the rock of salvation, and built upon him alone for it; and who had enemies on that account, as appears from De 32:31: and these words are spoken not of the Jews, with whom this song has no more concern, unless it be in what respects, their conversion in the latter day; but of false Christians, Pelagians, Arians, c. whose language and character are expressed in

De 32:28: and contain a pathetic wish that they might have wisdom to see their follies, errors, and mistakes, and renounce them: or, “if they were wise” k as they are not, and their tenets show it:

[that] they would understand this; namely what follows:

[that] they would consider their latter end; either the latter end of the Jews; had they wisdom, they would understand and observe that the displeasure of God against them, and his destruction of them, was for their lightly esteeming the rock of salvation, as Arians do; and for setting up their own righteousness, in opposition to the righteousness of Christ, as do Pelagians and Arminians; and were they wise, they would be hereby cautioned against such notions; and though imbibed by them, would relinquish them; as they may justly fear some such like end will be theirs: for if God does not give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth their end must be miserable; since the errors they embrace and profess are what the apostle calls “damnable heresies”; who, denying the Lord that bought them, bring on themselves swift destruction; and whose judgment, he says, lingers not, and their damnation slumbers not, 2Pe 2:1.

k “o si sapcrent”, Tigurine version; “si sapuissent”, Vatablus; “si saperent”, Cocceius.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

(29) Consider their latter end.Have some discernment as to their hereafter, what their destiny was, and what they will miss, if they fail to fulfil it.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

29, 30. O that they were wise Better, If they were wise, they would understand this. They would consider their future.

How should one chase a thousand How could one pursue a thousand and two put ten thousand to flight were it not that their Rock had sold them, and Jehovah had given them up?

Sold them Delivered them to their foes as one delivers what he has sold.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Ver. 29. O that they were wisethat they would consider their latter end! The word for their latter end, is the same here as in the 20th verse; acharitam, very properly rendered by Houbigant, novissima sua; their latter times, in which sense the other versions agree. The meaning is, “Oh! that they would duly feel these chastisements and this destruction which are denounced against them.” It has nothing to do with death, or a consideration thereof, as our translation leads us to believe, and as the passage seems to be generally understood.

Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke

Deu 32:29 O that they were wise, [that] they understood this, [that] they would consider their latter end!

Ver. 29. Oh that this people were wise. ] Sapiens est, cui res sapiunt prout sunt, saith Bernard.

That they would consider their latter end. ] This is a high point of heavenly wisdom. Moses himserf desires to learn it. Psa 90:12 David also would fain be taught it. Psa 39:4 Solomon sets a “better” upon it. Ecc 7:2 “Jerusalem’s filthiness was in her skirts, because she remembered not her latter end; therefore also she came down wonderfully.” Lam 1:9 The kite by the turning of his tail directs and winds about all his body. Consideratio finis tanquam caudae, ad vitam optime regendam confert, saith Berchorins. I meet with a story of one that gave a prodigal a ring with a death’s head, with this condition, that he should one hour daily, for seven days together, look and think upon it, which bred a strange alteration in his life; like that of Thesposius in Plutarch; or that more remarkable of Waldus the rich merchant of Lyons, &c. a

a Mr Ward’s Sermons

Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)