The Book of Deuteronomy

The word “Deuteronomy,” the title of the book, is derived from the Greek translation (the Septuagint) of a phrase found in Deuteronomy 17:18, “a copy of this law,” which means literally “a second [i.e., a repetition] of this law.” The title indicates both a repetition of the law they had received at Sinai, and a review of God’s teachings.

The Hebrew title of the book, Debarim, “words” refers to the prophetic words of Moses in verse 3. This echoes the last words of the book of Numbers, which read “these are the commandments” (Num. 36:13). These “words” are the commandments of God.

Deuteronomy is one of the most significant books in the Old Testament. Judging from the number of quotations or citations of Deuteronomy in the New Testament.

Inspiration says,

Study Deuteronomy Carefully: The book of Deuteronomy should be carefully studied by those living on the earth today. It contains a record of the instruction given to Moses to give to the children of Israel. In it the law is repeated. . . . {1BC 1117.5}

Study Deuteronomy and Exodus More: We do not make enough of Deuteronomy and Exodus. These books record the dealings of God with Israel. God took the Israelites from slavery, and led them through the wilderness to the promised land (MS 11, 1903). {1BC 1117.8}

The book of Deuteronomy should be carefully studied by those living on the earth today. It contains a record of the instruction given to Moses to give to the children of Israel. In it the law is repeated. At the time when the instruction which it contains was given, the people of Israel were encamped beside the Jordan. All but two of the adults who had left Egypt had died in the wilderness. Now the generation that had arisen during the forty years of journeying were about to pass over the Jordan to receive their inheritance in the promised land. But they must first hear from the lips of Moses the instruction given him by the Lord for them. The words of the law must be repeated to them, and they must hear again the conditions upon which they were to enter into and take possession of the promised land. {RH, December 31, 1903 par. 1}

The law of God was often to be repeated to Israel. That it precepts might not be forgotten, it was to be kept before the people, and was ever to be exalted and honored. Parents were to read the law to their children, teaching it to them line upon line, precept upon precept. And on public occasions the law was to be read in the hearing of all the people. {1BC 1117.6}

Upon obedience to this law depended the prosperity of Israel. If they were obedient, it would bring them life; if disobedient, death (RH Dec. 31, 1903). {1BC 1117.7}

Historical Setting

For 38 years after they had refused to enter Canaan, the Israelites remained in the wilderness of Paran and at Kadesh-Barnea, until the old generation died off. Then they resumed their journey by a long detour around Edom. Finally, they were encamped in Moab, awaiting final instructions to go over and possess the land God had promised to their fathers. It was a most exciting and momentous occasion.

According to the Book of Deuteronomy, Moses took this occasion to deliver three addresses to the people of Israel, all of them farewell addresses, because he had been told he could not enter the land with the people. The substance of the addresses is found in Deuteronomy, with the first being delivered "on this side Jordan, in the land of Moab' (1:5). The second one, if the words of 4:44-49 are intended as a heading for the second portion and not as a summary of the first, was given "on this side Jordan, in the valley over against Bethpeor, in the land of Sihon king of the "Amorites" (4:46). The third was simply "in the land of Moab" (29:1) Quite possibly the same location is intended for all three messages.

Authorship

EGWhite wrote, "The law of God in the sanctuary in Heaven is the great original, of which the precepts inscribed upon the tables of stone, and recorded by Moses in the Pentateuch, were an unerring transcript. Those who arrived at an understanding of this important point, were thus led to see the sacred, unchanging character of the divine law. They saw, as never before, the force of the Saviour's words, “Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in nowise pass from the law.” [Matthew 5:18.] The law of God, being a revelation of his will, a transcript of his character, must forever endure, “as a faithful witness in Heaven.” Not one command has been annulled; not a jot or tittle has been changed. Says the psalmist: “Forever, O Lord, thy word is settled in Heaven.” “All his commandments are sure. They stand fast forever and ever.” [Psalm 119:89; 111:7, 8.] {GC88 434.1}

A very strong evidence on this case for the Mosaic authorship of Deuteronomy can be established. By the test of aggrement with known historical conditions, and by careful literary analysis, it is possible to demonstrate that only the pre-Davidic period can successfully be reconciled with the data of the Hebrew text. In fact, the unity and authenticity of the book as a Mosaic product are confirmed by the remarkable conformity of the structure to that of the suzeraintry (overlordship) type of covenant or treaty in its classic, mid-second millennium B.C. form. Actually, Deut. 31:9 and 24 state that Moses wrote, as well as spoke, "the words of this law." Joshua, or some theocratic officer, in all likelihood, completed the document by recording Moses' death (ch. 34) and probably Moses' witness song (ch. 34) and testament (ch. 33).

This book contains four speeches:

1) A historical prologue (Dt. 1:1-4:43).

Preamble (1:1-5)

The Address of Moses - 1:6-4:43

A. The experience of God in History - 1:6-3:43

B. The Call for Obedience to God's Law - 4:1-40

C. A Note on the Cities of Refuge - 4:41-43

2) A Review of the Law (Dt. 4:44-28:6).

The Address of Moses - 4:44-26:19

A. An introduction to the declaration of the Law - 4:44-49

B. The Basic Commandments: Exposition and exhortation - 5:1-11:32

C. The Specific legislation - 12:1-26:15

D. The Conclusion to the Declaration of the Law - 26:16-19

The Address of Moses - Blessings and curses - 27:1-29:1

A. The Removal of the Covenant commanded - 27:1-26

B. The Blessings and curses pronounced in Moab - 28:1-29:1

3) An appeal to keep the covenant (Dt. 29-30).

The Address of Moses - A Concluding Charge - 29:2-30:20

4) A final call to read and remember the Law, the Song of Moses, his blessing, and farewell before he dies (Dt. 31-34).

The overall structure of the book is found in the first three speeches. It follows the structure of the old covenants between vassals and their masters (Egyptians and Hittites):

Preamble (Dt. 1:1-5).

Historical prologue (Dt. 1:6-4:49).

Stipulations: general (Dt. 5-11).

Stipulations: specific (Dt. 12-26).

Blessings and curses (Dt. 27-28).

Covenant loyalty and witnesses (Dt. 29-30).