Deuteronomy

Author: Moses (date of writing: c.1400 B.C.).

Period: c.1440-1400 B.C.

Title: “Deuteronomy” is taken from the Latin form of the Greek word Deuteronomion, the title given to this book in the Septuagint. The word means “repetition of the law.” The Hebrew title, ‘elleh haddebarim (“These are the words . . .”), or simply debarim (“Words”), is taken from the first two words of the Hebrew text of this book.

Summary: Deuteronomy is the fifth and last book of the Pentateuch. It records the repetition of the law recorded in Leviticus. It was given on the plains of Moab just prior to the entrance into the Promised Land by the nation of Israel under the command of Joshua. This was Moses’ last address to Israel as a whole prior to his death. At this time only two surviving members were left out of the generation that escaped from Egypt. Therefore, this repetition of the law was extremely important to the welfare of the new generation.

Breakdown:

FIRST DISCOURSE: Retrospect–

Israel’s faithlessness and God’s care: Chapter 1:1 – 4:43

  • Failure at Kadesh-Barnea: 1:1-46
  • Thirty-eight years of wandering: 2:1 – 3:29
  • Lessons of the past impressed upon the new generation: 4:1-40
  • Appointment of cities of refuge: 4:41-43

SECOND DISCOURSE: Review–

what the present generation should heed: Chapter 4:44 – 26:19

  • Review of the divine covenant: 4:44 – 5:33
  • What the covenant demands: 6:1 – 26:19

THIRD DISCOURSE: Warning–

the nation’s solemn responsibility: Chapter 27:1 – 28:68

  • A ceremony of remembrance in the land: 27:1-26
  • Blessings on obedience: 28:1-14
  • Curses on disobedience: 28:15-68

FOURTH DISCOURSE: Covenant–

terms that would ensure Israel’s continued occupancy of the land: Chapter 29:1 – 30:20

  • With Whom the covenant was made: 29:1-15
  • Punishment resulting from breaking the covenant: 29:16-29
  • Divine mercy in spite of failure: 30:1-20

FIFTH DISCOURSE: Counsel–

  • Moses’ final words of advice – Chapter 31:1-23

SIXTH DISCOURSE: Instruction–

  • the written law preserved as a witness: Chapter 31:24-29

SEVENTH DISCOURSE: Song–

a psalm of witness against Israel: Chapter 31:30 – 32:52

  • Repetition of divine goodness and human folly: 31:30 – 32:43
  • Sequel to the song: 32:44-52 (compare Exodus 15)

EIGHTH DISCOURSE: Blessing–

future glory of the tribes: Chapter 33:1-29

  • Introduction: 33:1-5
  • The blessings: 33:6-25
  • The source and summary of the blessings: 33:26-29

NINTH SECTION: An epitaph–

death of Moses: God buries His workman: Chapter 34:1-12