Deuteronomy 31:21

And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.

Cross-references

Deuteronomy 31:19 commands writing the song that will serve as a witness — the same witness mentioned in this verse.

Genesis 6:5 Related theme

In Genesis 6:5, God similarly sees the evil intentions of human hearts before the flood, reinforcing that He knows humanity's wickedness before judgment.

Genesis 8:21 Related theme

Genesis 8:21 echoes the same truth: the bent of the human heart is evil from youth, explaining why God already knows Israel's future rebellion.

Ezekiel 38:10 Related theme

Ezekiel 38:10 shows God revealing the evil thoughts that will arise in an enemy's mind, similar to His knowledge here.

Hosea 5:3 Related theme

Hosea 5:3 states God's intimate knowledge of Ephraim's unfaithfulness, paralleling His awareness of Israel's future apostasy.

In Joshua 24:27, a stone becomes a witness against Israel, directly echoing the song's witness role in Deuteronomy 31:21.

Jeremiah 35:17 Prophetic fulfillment

Jeremiah 35:17 shows God bringing disaster because His people did not listen — a fulfillment of the troubles and witness song prophesied in Deuteronomy.

In Nehemiah 9:29, the same pattern appears: Israel stiffens their neck and disobeys despite warnings, confirming God's knowledge of their stubbornness.

Nehemiah 9:34 echoes the failure to heed God's warnings, showing that even leaders ignored His commandments — a later example of the rebellion God foresaw.

Isaiah 46:10 Related theme

Isaiah 46:10 declares God's ability to foretell the future from the beginning, matching His knowledge of Israel's yet-uncommitted evil.

Hosea 13:6 Parallel

Hosea 13:6 describes the pride and forgetfulness that result from prosperity, which is the very evil determination God foresees.

In Genesis 31:44, a heap of stones serves as a witness between Jacob and Laban, analogous to the song as a witness in Deuteronomy 31:21.

Nehemiah 9:35 describes Israel not turning from wickedness despite God's goodness — matching God's foreknowledge of their ungrateful hearts.