“If only they were wise and they understood this; If only they would discern their future!
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!
- BSB If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate.
- NKJV Oh, that they were wise, that they understood this, That they would consider their latter end!
- 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 81:13Oh that my people would listen to me, that Israel would walk in my ways!
- Deut 5:29Oh that there were such a heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children forever!
- Hos 14:9Who is wise, that he may understand these things? Who is prudent, that he may know them? For the ways of Yahweh are right, and the righteous walk in them; But the rebellious stumble in them.
- Luke 19:41–42When he came near, he saw the city and wept over it,
- Luke 12:20“But God said to him, ‘You foolish one, tonight your soul is required of you. The things which you have prepared — whose will they be?’
- Ps 107:43Whoever is wise will pay attention to these things. They will consider the loving kindnesses of Yahweh.
- Isa 10:3What will you do in the day of visitation, and in the desolation which will come from afar? To whom will you flee for help? Where will you leave your wealth?
- Isa 47:7You said, ‘I will be a princess forever;’ so that you did not lay these things to your heart, nor did you remember the results.
- Luke 16:19–25“Now there was a certain rich man, and he was clothed in purple and fine linen, living in luxury every day.
- Isa 48:18–19Oh that you had listened to my commandments! Then your peace would have been like a river, and your righteousness like the waves of the sea.
- Lam 1:9Her filthiness was in her skirts; she didn’t remember her latter end; therefore she has come down astoundingly; she has no comforter: “See, Yahweh, my affliction; for the enemy has magnified himself.”
- Ps 107:15Let them praise Yahweh for his loving kindness, for his wonderful deeds to the children of men!
- Jer 17:11As the partridge that sits on eggs which she has not laid, so is he who gets riches, and not by right; in the middle of his days they shall leave him, and at his end he shall be a fool.
- Jer 5:31The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule by their own authority; and my people love to have it so. What will you do in the end of it?
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.