The Book of Deuteronomy

by Arend Remmers
http://www.biblecentre.org
34 chapters
1.
2.
3.
4.

Author and Time of Writing

Purpose of Writing
Peculiarities
Overview of Contents

1. Author and Time of Writing

Deuteronomy is the last book of the Pentateuch (Greek for "Fivebook") or of the Thora
(Hebrew word for "law"). The unity of the Pentateuch and the fact that Moses is the
author of it have often been denied since the 19th century. Criticism has especially
focused on the book of Deuteronomy as it is said to have been written only at the time of
Josiah, or even later.
Starting from 2 Timothy 3:16: "All scripture is given by inspiration of God" we can see in
the Old as well as in the New Testament that Moses is considered to be the author of
Deuteronomy and therefore the time of writing is confirmed. In Deuteronomy 31:9 and
24-26 it is testified that Moses wrote the book and that he gave it to the Levites to keep it.
In Joshua 8:32-35 explicit reference is made to Deuteronomy 27:8-12 as "all that Moses
the servant of the Lord had commanded before". While mentioning the law of Moses
(Thora) in 2 Chron. 34:14 and Neh. 8:1 the book of Deuteronomy is included as well.
The Pharisees in the New Testament in Mat. 19:7 refer to Deuteronomy 24:1 with the
words "Why did Moses then command...?" The Lord Jesus Himself confirms in the
following verse that the command had been given by Moses. The following references of
the NT mention Moses as author of Deuteronomy:

Mat. 22:24 (Deut. 25:5);

Acts 3:22; 7:37 (Deut. 18:15-16);
Heb. 12:21 (Deut. 9:19).

Sometimes the question is being raised as to who was the author of Deuteronomy 34
where we find the death and burial of Moses. It probably was Joshua, the friend and
successor of Moses (Deuteronomy 34:9) who under the guidance and inspiration of the
Holy Spirit added this short appendix to the whole work of his predecessor.

The events of Deuteronomy happen during the time of the first day of the eleventh month
in the 40th year after the exodus out of Egypt (Deut. 1:3). The place of these events are the
"plains of Moab" on the east side of Jordan.

2. Purpose of Writing
The name "Deuteronomy" for the fifth book of Moses means "second law". But the book
is more than a simple repetition of the laws contained in Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers,
which God had given the people of Israel at Mount Sina. Out of the generation who were
older than 20 years of age at the Exodus out of Egypt only Moses, Joshua and Caleb were
still alive (Num. 14:29-30). Therefore a renewed repetition of the law for the whole
people after such a long time was quite appropriate and necessary. But the main purpose
of the book is the preparation of the people of Israel for the passage through Jordan and
the entrance into the land of Canaan that had been promised by Jehovah.
The subject of Exodus and Leviticus was meeting God in His sanctuary. The purpose of
Deuteronomy is the preparation of the people for the blessings, which Jehovah wanted to
give them in the (promised) land. Obedience therefore plays an important part in this
book. Obedience to God's laws brings blessing but disobedience will draw after curse and
judgment.
In the New Testament the Epistle to the Philippians corresponds to the book of
Deuteronomy. The people of Israel had been pointed to the blessings in Canaan while yet
in the wilderness and similarly Paul was occupied with Christ the Lord in glory while still
on earth.

3. Peculiarities
a) In the New Testament we will find more than 30 verbal references out of
Deuteronomy as well as many hints at facts that only occurred in this book. After the
Psalms and the Prophet Isaiah Deuteronomy belongs to the most referred to books of the
Old Testament.
b) The words "the place which the Lord your God shall choose" (for the place of
worship) appears 21 times from chap. 12:5 onwards. This place was Jerusalem although
the name of the city does not appear in the Pentateuch. Four hundred more years would
have to pass until David and Solomon would find this place of worshiping God and
would prepare it (1 Chron. 21:30 to 22:1; chap. 28).
c)
When the Lord Jesus was tempted of the devil in the wilderness He three times
replied: "It is written." (Mat. 4:4,7,10). Each time He refers to a verse of Deuteronomy
(Deut. 8:3; 6:16; 6:13). These are divine proofs for the authenticity of Deuteronomy.

4. Overview of Contents

I.

Deuteronomy 1-4: First (historical) Discourse of Moses

Chapter 1 Retrospect to the Wandering in the Wilderness (from Sina to Kadesh)

Chapter 2

Retrospect to the Wandering in the Wilderness (from Kadesh to the Victory

over Sihon)

Chapter 3 Retrospect to the Events on the other side of Jordan

Chapter 4 Moses' Serious Exhortations for the People
II. Deuteronomy 5-26: Second (legal) Discourse of Moses
Chapter 5

Repetition of the Ten Commandments

Chapter 6

"Hear, O Israel"

Chapter 7

Separation from the Canaanites

Chapter 8

The Lessons of the Wilderness

Chapter 9

Remembering the Golden Calf

Chapter 10

Remembering the Second Law and Urging to Obedience

Chapter 11

Obedience as Supposition for God's Blessing

Chapter 12

The Place of Worshiping God in Canaan

Chapter 13

Treating Idolatry amidst the People of Israel

Chapter 14

Clean Meats; Giving the Tithe

Chapter 15

The Sabbath Year

Chapter 16

The Three Main Feasts of Israel

Chapter 17

The Law for the King

Chapter 18

The Priests and the Prophet

Chapter 19

Grace for the Man-slayer

Chapter 20

Laws to be observed in War

Chapter 21

Blood-Guilt and Right for Families

Chapter 22

Warning against Mixing and Uncleanness

Chapter 23

Cleanness as Requirement for the Peoples' Fellowship with God

Chapter 24-25 Different Commandments to Suppress Human Malice

Chapter 26

Offering of Firstfruits and of the Tithe

III. Deuteronomy 27-30: Third (prophetical) Discourse of Moses

Chapter 27 Gerizim and Ebal: Blessing and Curse
Chapter 28

God's Government: Obedience will bring Blessing, Disobedience will bring

Curse

Chapter 29 Moses Speaks to the Conscience of the People

Chapter 30 Prophecy of Repentance and Return of the People
IV. Deuteronomy 31-34: Final Discourses and Death of Moses
Chapter 31 Joshua's Appointment and Handing Over of the Law
Chapter 32 The Song of Moses
Chapter 33 Moses blesses the Twelve Tribes of Israel
Chapter 34 Death of Moses
Arend Remmers
Translation: Veronique Fries