Deuteronomy 31:27

27 For I know how rebellious and stubborn you are. Even now, while I am still alive and am here with you, you have rebelled against the LORD . How much more rebellious will you be after my death!

Deuteronomy 31:27 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:27

For I know thy rebellion and thy stiff neck
How rebellious they were against the Lord and his laws, and how unwilling they were to admit the yoke of his commandments to be put upon them, and submit to it; this he had an experience of for forty years past:

behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been
rebellious against the Lord;
murmuring at his providences, ( Exodus 16:8 Exodus 16:12 ) ( 17:3 ) , speaking against his ministers, ( Exodus 16:2 ) ( Numbers 12:1 ) ( Numbers 14:2 ) ( Numbers 16:3 Numbers 16:41 ) ( 20:2 ) ; breaking his laws, particularly being guilty of idolatry, in making and worshipping the golden calf, ( Exodus 32:8 ) ; and even now, as in ( Deuteronomy 31:21 ) , were imagining, forming, and framing in their minds something of the same kind, from the time of their coming out of Egypt unto this time they were now on the borders of Canaan; this had all along been their character; see ( Deuteronomy 9:7 Deuteronomy 9:24 ) ;

and how much more after my death?
When he would be no more with them to instruct and advise them, to caution and reprove them, and to keep them in awe by his authority.

Deuteronomy 31:27 In-Context

25 he gave this command to the Levites who carried the Ark of the LORD ’s Covenant:

26 “Take this Book of Instruction and place it beside the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD your God, so it may remain there as a witness against the people of Israel.

27 For I know how rebellious and stubborn you are. Even now, while I am still alive and am here with you, you have rebelled against the LORD . How much more rebellious will you be after my death!

28 “Now summon all the elders and officials of your tribes, so that I can speak to them directly and call heaven and earth to witness against them.

29 I know that after my death you will become utterly corrupt and will turn from the way I have commanded you to follow. In the days to come, disaster will come down on you, for you will do what is evil in the LORD ’s sight, making him very angry with your actions.”