Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 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 it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I swore.
21. many evils are come upon it ] Cp. Deu 31:17; this song shall testify to its face, the same vb. as in Deu 19:18; as a witness, Deu 31:19; its seed; its imagination, yer, lit. moulding. This term and its synonyms are applied in the O.T. to evil imaginations in rebellion against God (e.g. Gen 6:5; Gen 8:21, Psa 10:2; Psa 140:2, Pro 6:18, Lam 3:60 f.) except in two passages (1Ch 28:9; 1Ch 29:18), where they are used indifferently, and in Isa 26:3 where the yer or imagination is described as stayed on God.
before I bring it into the land, etc.] See Deu 31:20.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 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 the evil, and the threatened punishment should come upon them, then the song should testify against them, by showing that they had been sufficiently warned, and might have lived to God, and so escaped those disasters.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes 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 calamities mentioned in it.
Their imagination which they go about, even now; either their inward inclinations to idolatry, which they do not check, as they ought, but rather entertain with delight; and some of them do not only cherish it in their hearts, but as far as they can and dare secretly practise it, as may be gathered from Amo 5:26; Act 7:43; or their secret purposes to allow themselves therein, when they are settled in their land, which were clearly known to God, though it may be not fully evident to themselves.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
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 testify against them as a witness; which so clearly points at their sins, with all their aggravated circumstances, and describes so fully their calamities, distresses, and punishment for them:
for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed; which shows that it respects time to come, their later posterity, whose memory of this song would be conjured up by the evils that should come upon them for their sins; nor is it forgotten by them to this day, who acknowledge there are some things in it now fulfilled or fulfilling in them:
for I know their imagination which they go about even now: or are “making” c; forming and framing within themselves, there being a secret inclination in their minds to idolatry, which were working and contriving schemes to bring it about, and set it up; and this, God, the searcher of hearts, knew full well, and that in process of time this evil imagination would break forth into act, in an open and flagrant manner:
before I have brought thee into the land which I sware; to their fathers, to give it to them for an inheritance, as is suggested in
De 31:20.
c “faciens”, Montanus; “quam facit”, Pagninus.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(21) 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 piece of Hebrew poetry to this day. Rashi observes: This is a promise to Israel that the law shall not be utterly forgotten by their seed.
I know their imagination.Heb., ytzer, the same word employed in Gen. 6:5; Gen. 8:21. It is the word commonly used in Rabbinical literature for the evil nature or good nature in any man. The nature which they are forming, or making, this day, would be a literal rendering of the sentence in this verse. And yet with all this, He made Balaam say, He hath not beheld iniquity in Jacob nor seen perverseness in Israel (Num. 23:21). Comp. 1Ch. 28:9, The Lord . . . understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts, and Psa. 103:14, He knoweth our frame (ytzer); He remembereth that we are dust.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
21. This song shall testify against them as a witness This ode, passing down from father to son, from generation to generation, would rebuke the apostasy of the nation. How in the midst of prevailing idolatry and gross corruption these divine words would be like the utterances of the prophets of the old and the apostles of the new dispensation! Every time the ode was repeated it would reprove and rebuke. In the days of apostate kings, if the song were repeated, how startling the words, “They sacrificed unto devils, not unto God!”
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Deu 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 it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.
Ver. 21. For I know their imagination. ] As a man that knows what roots he hath in his garden; though there be not a flower appears, yet he can say, when the spring comes, this and this will come up, because he knows the garden, and knows what roots are there: so the Lord knows our thoughts afar off, because he knows the principles that are within, and knows what they will do when occasion serves; he is privy to that root that beareth gall and wormwood. Deu 29:18
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
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 Pentateuch, Septuagint, and Syriac add “unto their fathers”.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
this song: A sacred song, appointed to be composed by Moses, doubtless under divine inspiration; which the people were required to learn, and teach to their children from generation to generation. Deu 31:19
against: Heb. before
I know: Gen 6:5, Gen 8:21, Psa 139:2, Isa 46:10, Eze 38:10, Eze 38:11, Hos 5:3, Hos 13:5, Hos 13:6, Amo 5:25, Amo 5:26, Joh 2:24, Joh 2:25, Act 2:23, Act 4:28
go about: Heb. do
Reciprocal: Gen 31:44 – a witness Exo 14:3 – Pharaoh Jos 24:27 – General 2Ki 17:13 – testified 1Ch 28:9 – the imaginations Neh 9:29 – testifiedst Neh 9:34 – thou didst Neh 9:35 – fat land Isa 34:16 – Seek Isa 66:18 – I know Jer 35:17 – Behold Jer 42:19 – admonished you Dan 10:14 – in the Amo 5:12 – I know Zec 11:11 – knew Gal 5:3 – testify
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Deu 31:21. 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, (Deu 32:18-19,) and be a clear evidence that the calamities which befall them are judgments sent from me for the punishment of their transgressions. How ought this to be remarked with wonder! For, to this very day, above three thousand years after, this song is a strong proof and demonstration, both to Jews and Christians, that Moses did indeed speak by the commandment of God. I know their imagination Inclination 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, as may be gathered from Amo 5:25; Act 7:43.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
31:21 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: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.
(l) That these evils are come upon them, because they have forsaken me.