Introduction to Deuteronomy

The last of the five books of Moses is Deuteronomy, which means “second law” (from Greek deuteros and nomos, meaning “second” and “law,” respectively). The name is derived from the fact that Deuteronomy 5:6-21 reiterates the ten commandments as well as many of the other Mosaic laws as first given in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers. The earlier laws are also enlarged and applied in various ways.

Deuteronomy also can be regarded as Moses’ valedictory, reviewing the history of the nation, especially since their escape from Egypt. The book actually includes three components, delivered at different times and places (see Deuteronomy 1:5; 4:46; 29:1), but all at various locations in the land of Moab just east of the Jordan River. Israel had been in the wilderness almost forty years, and was finally preparing to enter the promised land. Moses would not be able to go with them, but would die in the land of Moab after viewing Canaan from afar (Deuteronomy 34:1-6) and having turned the leadership over to Joshua (Numbers 27:18-23; Deuteronomy 31:7,14).

Frequently cited in the New Testament, Deuteronomy contains Israel’s great statement of monotheistic faith (Deuteronomy 6:4-6), as well as Christ’s “greatest” commandment (Deuteronomy 6:5). Jesus chose words from Deuteronomy to turn back the three temptations of Satan (Deuteronomy 6:13,16; 8:3). Remarkable prophecies of both blessings and curses on Israel are found especially in Deuteronomy 28 and 29. The Song of Moses is recorded in Deuteronomy 32 and his final prophetic blessings on each tribe (except Simeon) in Deuteronomy 33.

Moses wrote Deuteronomy, as the book itself frequently claims (Deuteronomy 31:9,24), and as all the evidence, both internal and external, confirms. Jesus often quoted from it, accepting the Mosaic authorship (e.g., Matthew 19:8, citing Deuteronomy 24:1-4). Moses’ authorship was accepted as such by all authorities, ancient and modern, Jewish and Christian, until the rise of evolutionary higher criticism in the 19^th century. Since that time, most liberal scholars have denied that Moses wrote Deuteronomy, but they cannot agree as to when and by whom it was written. Some would attribute it to the time of David, others to the revival under King Josiah, and others to the post-exile period. Such speculation is mere fantasy, deriving from the evolutionary prejudices of skeptical theologians.

Beyond reasonable question, Moses wrote Deuteronomy at a time very near the end of his life. No doubt Joshua wrote the account of Moses’ death (Deuteronomy 34) and possibly certain other editorial explanations. He probably added these to the Mosaic document after Moses died, and then continued to preserve all the Mosaic writings by placing them in the ark of the covenant (Deuteronomy 31:24-26).

1:3 Moses spake. Practically the entire book of Deuteronomy consists of spoken messages by Moses to the people of Israel, reviewing their forty years in the wilderness, along with the laws, commandments and promises made to them by the Lord. These messages were also written down by Moses and now comprise the book of Deuteronomy. The messages were originally given in the plains of Moab as their armies were preparing to cross the Jordan and possess the promised land.

1:6 long enough. Having experienced so many remarkable events in and near Mount Sinai (same as Mount Horeb), it is understandable that the people would be reluctant to leave. Analogously, modern believers who have experienced special blessings in a particular place may wish to stay there, hoping for more. But there is work yet to do in the regions beyond.

1:7 the river Euphrates. Moses originally was planning to conquer all the lands promised to Abraham (Genesis 15:18). But contrast the much smaller boundaries described by him in Numbers 34:1-12. The repeated complaints and rebellion among his followers had apparently led to the Lord’s postponement of the fulfillment of the larger promise.

1:10 the stars of heaven. Only about five thousand stars were visible to the unaided eye, so such a comparison as this, with the Israelites numbering over two million, indicates that Moses somehow knew (and it could only have been by divine revelation) that there were far more stars in heaven than they could see.

1:23 twelve men. For the account of the mission and the report of the twelve spies, see Numbers 13.

1:35 not one. Moses was speaking to the now-grown children of the deceased generation, as though it were these children that had been the rebels. They did, indeed, still harbor the same complaints and doubts as their fathers, and it was necessary that Moses speak harshly to them, lest they might still want to return to Egypt.