If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate.
Parallel translations
- WEB Oh that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!
- KJV O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!
- NKJV Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, That they would consider their latter end!
- NASB “If only they were wise and they understood this; If only they would discern their future!
- NLT Oh, that they were wise and could understand this! Oh, that they might know their fate!
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
Moses laments that if only they were wise they would understand and consider their end. It matters because it expresses the tragedy of their refusal to think rightly about their future.
Overview
The wish that they would 'consider their latter end' calls for sober reflection on the consequences of their path. True wisdom discerns where one's choices lead. This longing for the people's understanding reflects God's desire that sinners turn and live, a desire fully expressed in the gospel call to repentance and faith in Christ.
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 14
- Ps 81:13If only My people would listen to Me, if Israel would follow My ways,
- Deut 5:29If only they had such a heart to fear Me and keep all My commandments always, so that it might be well with them and with their children forever.
- Hos 14:9Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of the LORD are right, and the righteous walk in them but the rebellious stumble in them.
- Luke 19:41–42As Jesus approached Jerusalem and saw the city, He wept over it
- Luke 12:20But God said to him, ‘You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?’
- Ps 107:43Let him who is wise pay heed to these things and consider the loving devotion of the LORD.
- Isa 10:3What will you do on the day of reckoning when devastation comes from afar? To whom will you flee for help? Where will you leave your wealth?
- Isa 47:7You said, ‘I will be queen forever.’ You did not take these things to heart or consider their outcome.
- Luke 16:19–25Now there was a rich man dressed in purple and fine linen, who lived each day in joyous splendor.
- Isa 48:18–19If only you had paid attention to My commandments, your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like waves of the sea.
- Lam 1:9Her uncleanness stains her skirts; she did not consider her end. Her downfall was astounding; there was no one to comfort her. Look, O LORD, on my affliction, for the enemy has triumphed!
- Ps 107:15Let them give thanks to the LORD for His loving devotion and His wonders to the sons of men.
- Jer 17:11Like a partridge hatching eggs it did not lay is the man who makes a fortune unjustly. In the middle of his days his riches will desert him, and in the end he will be the fool.”
- Jer 5:31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority. My people love it so, but what will you do in the end?
Themes, concepts, people & topics
Resources, by level
Commentaries & study tools
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Hebrew/Greek interlinear, word definitions, and cross-references for this verse.
Christ at the center
Moses promised a Prophet like himself to whom Israel must listen (18:15); Jesus is that Prophet, the one who keeps the covenant we broke and becomes the curse for us by hanging on a tree (Gal 3:13).
How Deuteronomy 32:29 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
Each word below is tagged with its Strong’s number — tap one to see the underlying Hebrew word, its meaning, and every verse that uses it.