The Meaning of Deuteronomy 32:20 Explained

Deuteronomy 32:20

KJV: And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.

YLT: And He saith: I hide My face from them, I see what is their latter end; For a froward generation are they, Sons in whom is no stedfastness.

Darby: And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be; For they are a perverse generation, Children in whom is no faithfulness.

ASV: And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: For they are a very perverse generation, Children in whom is no faithfulness.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

And he said,  I will hide  my face  from them, I will see  what their end  [shall be]: for they [are] a very froward  generation,  children  in whom [is] no faith. 

What does Deuteronomy 32:20 Mean?

Context Summary

Deuteronomy 32:15-35 - Moses' Song: Israel's Response
"Jeshurun" is a pet name for Israel, implying affection and endearment. The metaphor employed is derived from a pampered animal which, in consequence of rich and plentiful feeding, becomes mischievous and vicious.
Let us be warned by these denunciations against backsliding and willful sin. The greatness of our privileges will be the measure of the anguish of our doom. They who are exalted to Heaven by privilege must be cast down to Hades if they refuse and reject. The most fervent love becomes the hottest fire when it turns to jealousy. O my soul, it becomes thee to fear God as well as love Him. Remember Hebrews 10:26.
But what privileges await those who obey! When we abide in God, no enemy can stand against us. Five, strong in His miraculous fellowship, can chase a hundred, and a hundred, ten thousand. See Leviticus 26:8; also 1 Samuel 14:1, etc. God shows "Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him." See 2 Chronicles 16:9. [source]

Chapter Summary: Deuteronomy 32

1  Moses' song, which sets forth God's mercy and vengeance
46  He exhorts them to set their hearts upon it
48  God sends him up to mount Nebo to see the land, and to die

What do the individual words in Deuteronomy 32:20 mean?

And He said I will hide My face from them I will see what [will be] their end for a generation perverse they [are] Children no faithfulness in whom [is]
וַיֹּ֗אמֶר אַסְתִּ֤ירָה פָנַי֙ מֵהֶ֔ם אֶרְאֶ֖ה מָ֣ה אַחֲרִיתָ֑ם כִּ֣י ד֤וֹר תַּהְפֻּכֹת֙ הֵ֔מָּה בָּנִ֖ים לֹא־ אֵמֻ֥ן בָּֽם

וַיֹּ֗אמֶר  And  He  said 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Consecutive imperfect, third person masculine singular
Root: אָמַר 
Sense: to say, speak, utter.
אַסְתִּ֤ירָה  I  will  hide 
Parse: Verb, Hifil, Imperfect Cohortative, first person common singular
Root: סָתַר  
Sense: to hide, conceal.
פָנַי֙  My  face 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, first person common singular
Root: לִפְנֵי 
Sense: face.
מֵהֶ֔ם  from  them 
Parse: Preposition-m, Pronoun, third person masculine plural
Root: הֵם 
Sense: they, these, the same, who.
אֶרְאֶ֖ה  I  will  see 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect, first person common singular
Root: רָאָה 
Sense: to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider.
מָ֣ה  what  [will  be] 
Parse: Interrogative
Root: לָמָּה 
Sense: what, how, of what kind.
אַחֲרִיתָ֑ם  their  end 
Parse: Noun, feminine singular construct, third person masculine plural
Root: אַחֲרִית  
Sense: after part, end.
ד֤וֹר  a  generation 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular construct
Root: דֹּור 
Sense: period, generation, habitation, dwelling.
תַּהְפֻּכֹת֙  perverse 
Parse: Noun, feminine plural
Root: תַּהְפֻּכֹות  
Sense: perversity, perverse thing.
הֵ֔מָּה  they  [are] 
Parse: Pronoun, third person masculine plural
Root: הֵם 
Sense: they, these, the same, who.
בָּנִ֖ים  Children 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural
Root: בֵּן 
Sense: son, grandson, child, member of a group.
לֹא־  no 
Parse: Adverb, Negative particle
Root: הֲלֹא 
Sense: not, no.
אֵמֻ֥ן  faithfulness 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: אֵמוּן 
Sense: faithfulness, trusting.
בָּֽם  in  whom  [is] 
Parse: Preposition, third person masculine plural