Deuteronomy 31:20 Meaning and Explanation
“For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Once Israel prospers in the promised land, they will abandon God and break covenant.
The Context of Deuteronomy 31:20
Prosperity in the land will paradoxically provoke Israel's unfaithfulness.
What Does Deuteronomy 31:20 Mean?
The tragedy lies in abundance itself. The land flowing with milk and honey is a gift—the fulfillment of covenant promise—yet it becomes a source of temptation. Satisfied and prosperous, Israel will forget the God who brought them there and turn to the gods of the land itself, attributing their fertility and success to local deities.
This pattern has deep human roots: blessing can breed forgetfulness. Hunger keeps one dependent on God; satisfaction can breed independence and pride. The prophecy is not cynical but realistic about the human tendency to forget origins and attributions when life is easy. Prosperity without gratitude and remembrance easily becomes the seedbed of infidelity.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 31:20
What does Deuteronomy 31:20 mean?
Once Israel prospers in the promised land, they will abandon God and break covenant.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 31:20?
Prosperity in the land will paradoxically provoke Israel's unfaithfulness.