Book of Deuteronomy - Chapter 31 - Verse 16

In this verse, God is speaking to Moses and foretelling the future of the Israelites. He informs Moses that after his death, the people will turn away from Him and begin to worship foreign gods. The phrase "sleep with thy fathers" is a euphemism for death, indicating that Moses will not live to see this event unfold. The use of the term "go a whoring" metaphorically depicts the act of idolatry as infidelity towards God, emphasizing the severity of their betrayal. By breaking the covenant that God had established with them, the Israelites would be disregarding their commitment to Him and choosing to follow the ways of the nations surrounding them. This divine warning serves as a reminder of the consequences of turning away from God and highlights the importance of remaining faithful to His commandments.

In this verse, the phrase "sleep with thy fathers" is often interpreted as a euphemism for death, as it is used throughout the Bible to refer to a person passing away and being buried with their ancestors. The act of "going a whoring after the gods of the strangers" is seen as a metaphor for idolatry and spiritual unfaithfulness. The word "whoring" implies a betrayal of trust and covenant, highlighting the seriousness of the Israelites turning away from God to follow other gods. The use of the term "strangers of the land" here emphasizes the danger of being influenced by foreign ideologies and practices that are contrary to God's commandments. by breaking the covenant, the Israelites are forsaking their relationship with God and the promises associated with it. This verse serves as a warning against the consequences of turning away from God and the importance of maintaining faithfulness to Him.