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The Book of Deuteronomy is the fifth and last book of the Pentateuch, which in turn is the first section of the Hebrew Bible. Within the so-called Primary History, it occupies an intermediate position. Immediately after the other four books of the Pentateuch, it sums up the Mosaic law in a single volume. Its outlook and vocabulary foreshadow the next four books (Joshua, Judges, Samuel, Kings) so much so that these five are at times called the Deuteronomistic History.
According to Raymond F. Peterson, Jr. and Konrad Schmid, "Since Wilhelm Martin Leberecht de Wette's Dissertatio critica, Dueteronomy has been the major historical anchor for the analysis of both of the Pentateuch and the Former Prophets. Dating Deuteronomy's first edition to the Josianic period is still the option most often chosen by scholars, although some recent discussion has included the option for exilic dating, taking up a classical dispute from the beginning of the twentieth century."[1]
The book opens at the end of the wilderness wanderings of Israel, as the Israelites are in the plains of Moab, poised to invade Canaan. Moses begins by recapping the story of Israel under his leadership, including his appointment of lower magistrates, the sending of spies into Canaan, and the ill-fated, rebellious attempt by the Israelites to invade Canaan nearly forty years earlier (Deuteronomy 1). The Israelites wander thirty-eight years in the wilderness after the attempted invasion, and then defeat Sihon the Amorite (2). Og is defeated in the Bashan, and the Transjordan is allotted to its tribes, but Moses is prohibited from entering Canaan (3). Moses instructs the Israelites in faithfully obeying God, and cities of refuge are set aside.
Introductory wording introduces what is to follow as the law of Moses (4). Moses begins with the Ten Commandments (5) and more wording about obedience (6). Moses discusses the coming war with the Canaanites (7), and threatens that disobedience would lead to the same fate as the Canaanites will soon suffer (8). Israel is rebuked for its wickedness, and the previous incident with the golden calf recounted (9). Moses rehearses how the Ten Commandments were given a second time (10). Moses sets before the Israelites "a blessing and curse" -- blessing if they obey, curse otherwise (11).
Moses introduces the next section -- the biggest recognizable section within Deuteronomy -- by discoursing on the coming centralization of worship (12), and discusses possible future cases of idolatry (13). Laws of food purity and tithing are given (14), followed by laws about debt, slavery, firstborn animals (15), annual festivals, judges, Asherahs (16), defective sacrifices, idolatry, lawsuits, the future monarchy (17), the maintenance of priests, forbidden religious practices, prophecy (18), cities of refuge, witness testimony (19), war (20), unsolved murders (21), miscellaneous matters, marriage (22), membership in the assembly of Israel, uncleanness, more miscellaneous matters (23, 24, 25), and firstfruits and tithes. This section (Deuteronomy 12-26) closes with a command to obey God and reap the blessings of obedience (26).
An altar is established on Mount Ebal, and curses recited from it (27). A chapter of blessings and curses follows, blessings for obedience and curses for rebellion (28), and a new covenant is established between God and the people, "in addition to the one made at Horeb" (29). More language contrasting the results of obedience and disobedience follows (30). Joshua is named as Moses' successor, a septennial public reading of the law is commanded, and Moses predicts that in the future Israel will rebel (31). Moses delivers a poem on Yahweh's relationship to his people, and then Yahweh commands Moses to climb up Mount Nebo to die (32). Moses then delivers individual blessings to the tribes of Israel (33).
Moses dies, and the anonymous author reflects that no prophet like Moses has since arisen (34).
As with other pages migrated from biblicalambiguities.net, this page may contain material paraphrased or even outright copied without direct attribution from the KJV, RV, ASV, JPS (1917), WEB, NHEB, Kittel's BH, the pre-1923 volumes of the ICC series, or the commentaries on Genesis of Dillmann, Skinner, and Driver. More details on this policy can be found here: biblicalambiguities-general-disclaimer and biblicalambiguities-translation-disclaimer.