Deuteronomy
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thine soul, and with all thine might.” — Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (KJV)
Overview
- Testament: Old
- Author: Moses
- Date Written: ~1406 BC (final month before death, age 120)
- Key Themes: Covenant renewal, obedience, love for God, blessings & curses, choice between life and death
- Chapters: 34
Summary
Deuteronomy means “second law” — Moses’ farewell sermons to the new generation standing at the edge of the Promised Land. It’s the most personal, passionate book of the Pentateuch. Moses reviews Israel’s history, restates the law, and calls them to choose life. The Shema (6:4-5) becomes the central prayer of Judaism and Christianity.
The structure mirrors a suzerain-vassal treaty:
- Chapters 1–4: Historical Prologue — Review of wilderness journey
- Chapters 5–26: Laws & Stipulations — Restatement of the covenant
- Chapters 27–30: Blessings & Curses — Covenant consequences
- Chapters 31–34: Moses’ Death & Succession — Transition
Key Characters
| Character | Role | Key Passages |
|---|---|---|
| Moses | Speaker, leader, author | Throughout |
| Joshua | Successor, appointed leader | Deuteronomy 1, 31 |
| Joshua (Son of Nun) & Caleb | Faithful spies, inherit promise | Deuteronomy 1:36 |
| The Elders | Leaders, witnesses | Deuteronomy 27, 29 |
| Aaron & Hur | Deceased leaders mentioned | Deuteronomy 10, 1 |
Key Events
| Event | Reference | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Moses’ First Speech | Deuteronomy 1–3 | Review of wilderness, conquest east of Jordan |
| Laws Restated | Deuteronomy 4–26 | Ten Commandments, covenant laws |
| The Shema | Deuteronomy 6 | Central declaration of faith |
| Appointed Feasts | Deuteronomy 16 | Three feast days, pilgrimage |
| Prophets & Kings | Deuteronomy 17–18 | Future leaders, “like unto me” |
| Blessings & Curses | Deuteronomy 28 | Most detailed covenant consequences |
| Covenant Renewal | Deuteronomy 29 | New covenant at Moab |
| Song of Moses | Deuteronomy 32 | Poetic testimony, witness against Israel |
| Blessing of Moses | Deuteronomy 33 | Tribal blessings, final words |
| Death of Moses | Deuteronomy 34 | Views land, dies, buried by God |
Important Places
| Place | Significance | Key Passages |
|---|---|---|
| Plains of Moab | Location of sermons, covenant | Deuteronomy 1, 4, 29, 31, 34 |
| Jericho | First city in Canaan, cursed | Deuteronomy 13, 20 |
| Mount Nebo | Moses’ final view, death | Deuteronomy 32, 34 |
| Mount Ebal & Gerizim | Blessings & curses ceremony | Deuteronomy 11, 27 |
| Shiloh | Future tabernacle location | Deuteronomy 12 |
Chapter Outline
| Chapters | Section | Summary |
|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | First Speech: History | Wilderness review, east Jordan conquest |
| 4 | Exhortation to Obey | ”Keep and do,” no graven images |
| 5–6 | Ten Commandments & Shema | Restated, “love the LORD thy God” |
| 7–11 | Conquest & Settlement | Destroy nations, love, blessings/curses preview |
| 12–26 | Laws of the Covenant | Central worship, diet, festivals, social justice |
| 27 | Ceremony of Ebal & Gerizim | Six tribes bless, six curse |
| 28 | Blessings & Curses | Detailed consequences, most quoted chapter |
| 29 | Covenant Renewal | ”Thou hast seen,” secret things vs. ours |
| 30 | Choice: Life or Death | ”I call heaven and earth to witness” |
| 31 | Moses Charges Joshua | Law placed beside ark, Song begins |
| 32 | Song of Moses | Poetic testimony, God’s faithfulness |
| 33 | Blessing of Moses | Tribal blessings, final pronouncement |
| 34 | Death of Moses | Views land, dies at 120, buried by God, Joshua succeeds |
Cross-References
New Testament:
- Matthew 4:4 — “Man shall not live by bread alone” (Deut. 8:3)
- Matthew 22:37-38 — Greatest commandment (Deut. 6:5)
- Romans 10:8 — “The word is near thee” (Deut. 30:14)
- Galatians 3:10-11 — “Cursed is everyone that continueth not” (Deut. 27:26)
- Hebrews 3 — “Harden not your hearts” (echoes Deut. 31)
Old Testament connections:
- Numbers — Same events, different perspective
- Joshua — Commands fulfilled in conquest
- Psalms 1, 119 — Law meditation
Key Verses
The Shema:
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thine soul, and with all thine might.” — Deuteronomy 6:4-5
Choice:
“I call heaven and earth to witness against thee this day, that I have set before thee life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live.” — Deuteronomy 30:19
Prophet Like Moses:
“The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken.” — Deuteronomy 18:15
God’s Nearness:
“This commandment which I command thee this day, it is not hidden from thee, neither is it far off.” — Deuteronomy 30:11
Notes & Reflections
- Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (Shema) is the most quoted OT passage in the NT
- Jesus quotes Deuteronomy during His temptation (Matt. 4)
- “Prophet like unto me” (18:15) — Jesus fulfills this (Acts 3:22)
- The blessings/curses of chapter 28 were fulfilled in AD 70
- “Choose life” (30:19) — the gospel in a nutshell
- Moses dies at 120, “his eye was not dim, nor his natural faculty abated”
- The Song of Moses (ch. 32) is a witness — God anticipates rebellion
- Deuteronomy closes the Pentateuch — law given, now faith required
Sequential Connections
- Preceded by: Numbers — 40 years complete, new generation
- Followed by: Joshua — Moses dies, Joshua leads into Canaan
Tags
OldTestament Pentateuch Deuteronomy Covenant Shema Law Choice