Deuteronomy 31:28

28 Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak ¹these words in their ears and ²call heaven and earth to witness against them.

Deuteronomy 31:28 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:28

Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your
officers
The heads of the tribes, the princes, and all other inferior magistrates:

that I may speak these words in their ears;
not the words of the law, but of the song which he was ordered to write, and is recorded in the following chapter:

and call heaven and earth to record against them;
to bear witness of what he delivered to them, and to bear witness against them should they transgress the laws he gave them; and to bear witness that they had been faithfully cautioned against transgressing, and had been severely threatened, and the punishment plainly pointed out that should be inflicted on them in case of disobedience, so that they were left entirely without excuse.

Deuteronomy 31:28 In-Context

26 "Take this Book of the Law and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against you.

27 For I know how rebellious and stubborn you are. Behold, even today while I am yet alive with you, you have been rebellious against the LORD. How much more after my death!

28 Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears and call heaven and earth to witness against them.

29 For I know that after my death you will surely act corruptly and turn aside from the way that I have commanded you. And in the days to come evil will befall you, because you will do what is evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking him to anger through the work of your hands."

30 Then Moses spoke the words of this song until they were finished, in the ears of all the assembly of Israel:

Cross References

• 1. See Deuteronomy 32:1-43
• 2. See Deuteronomy 4:26