Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 31:17
On that day My anger will burn against them, and I will abandon them and hide My face from them, so that they will be consumed, and many troubles and afflictions will befall them. On that day they will say, ‘Have not these disasters come upon us because our God is no longer with us?’
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God speaks to Moses, forecasting Israel's future idolatry and covenant violation after Moses' death. He declares that He will respond to their rebellion by withdrawing His presence and protection.
The words — The verse highlights חָרָה (cha.Rah, "it will burn") paired with אַפִּי ('a.P/i, "My anger"), and הִסְתַּרְתִּי (his.tar.Ti, "I will hide") paired with פָנַי (fa.Na/i, "My face"). These terms describe divine wrath and the deliberate withdrawal of God's visible presence.
The thread — This pattern of divine abandonment and hidden face appears in Numbers 14:42, Judges 6:13, and 2 Chronicles 15:2. These passages track the recurring biblical theme that Israel's suffering stems from the loss of God's near presence.
Why it lands — The text demands recognition that covenant faithlessness directly triggers divine withdrawal and consequent national disaster. It requires readers to understand that perceived abandonment is the direct result of prior covenant violation, not divine indifference.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
Then 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 befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us?
Cross-references
- Numbers 14:42 Do not go up, lest you be struck down by your enemies, because the LORD is not among you.
- Judges 6:13 “Please, my Lord,” Gideon replied, “if the LORD is with us, why has all this happened to us? And where are all His wonders of which our fathers told us, saying, ‘Has not the LORD brought us up out of Egypt?’ But now the LORD has forsaken us and delivered us into the hand of Midian.”
- 2 Chronicles 15:2 So he went out to meet Asa and said to him, “Listen to me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin. The LORD is with you when you are with Him. If you seek Him, He will be found by you, but if you forsake Him, He will forsake you.
- Isaiah 8:17 I will wait for the LORD, who is hiding His face from the house of Jacob. I will put my trust in Him.
- Psalms 104:29 When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to dust.
- Isaiah 64:7 No one calls on Your name or strives to take hold of You. For You have hidden Your face from us and delivered us into the hand of our iniquity.
- Deuteronomy 29:24 So all the nations will ask, ‘Why has the LORD done such a thing to this land? Why this great outburst of anger?’
- Deuteronomy 32:20 He said: “I will hide My face from them; I will see what will be their end. For they are a perverse generation—children of unfaithfulness.
- 1 Chronicles 28:9 As for you, Solomon my son, know the God of your father and serve Him wholeheartedly and with a willing mind, for the LORD searches every heart and understands the intent of every thought. If you seek Him, He will be found by you; but if you forsake Him, He will reject you forever.
- Psalms 30:7 O LORD, You favored me; You made my mountain stand strong. When You hid Your face, I was dismayed.