Deuteronomy 29:12-21
29:12 a The technical phrase to enter into the covenant meant subscribing to the terms of the agreement.29:15 b future generations: The covenant made with Moses’ generation was also for generations yet to be born. Abraham’s descendants of the future would have the privileges of the covenant, but they would also need to obey it personally to enjoy its blessings (see 4:9 c).
29:17 d The detestable practices were abominable manifestations of paganism, especially regarding worship (see 7:25-26 e; 12:31 f; 13:14 g).
• idols: The Hebrew term, meaning round things, probably alludes to dung. These objects were so reprehensible that they were compared to excrement.
29:18 h This metaphor describes idolatry (the root), which, if cultivated, would result in idol worship (the fruit).
29:19 i An attitude of nonchalance or smugness regarding God’s judgment would lead to utter ruin.
29:20 j erase their names: To forget the name of a people resulted in eventually forgetting their very existence. The most unspeakable tragedy would be for God to treat the people of Israel as though they had never existed (see 7:24 k; Exod 32:32-33 l; 2 Kgs 14:27 m).
29:21 n Book of Instruction (literally book of the torah): Here, this phrase refers to all of Deuteronomy, of which the list of curses (ch 28 o) is a part (see 27:3 p).
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