Introduction to Deuteronomy

Name

The English title “Deuteronomy” comes from the Greek Deuteronomion, which means “the second law,” or “repetition of the law.” The Greek was a mistranslation of the Hebrew phrase “a copy of this law,” in Deuteronomy 17:18. The Hebrew name for the book is elleh haddebarim, which means “These are the words.” 

Author

Moses is the generally accepted author of the book of Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy 1: 1, 31:9, and 31:24 each state that Moses wrote as well as spoke these words. No doubt someone else, perhaps a scribe or other official, recorded the portion of the book dealing with Moses’ death (chapter 34).

Genre

Law (a restatement of much of the Leviticus law)

Literary Form

Oration (speeches)

Time Frame

Deuteronomy recounts the history of the nation Israel’s 40 years of wandering through the desert and their arrival at the Promised Land.

Emphasis

The people who left Egypt and received the law on Mt Sinai have died, and now the younger generation is getting ready to enter the Promised Land. Moses recounts their journey and restates the laws that apply to the nation of Israel.

The book of Deuteronomy emphasizes four major themes about God and the relationship between God and the people of Israel:

1. The nature and character of God
2. The covenant relationship between God and the people of Israel
3. The people’s response in faith to God
4. The consequences of sin

 Outline

1. First speech of Moses (1:1-4:43)
2. Second speech of Moses (4:44-28:68)
3. Third speech of Moses (29-30)
4. Last words of Moses (31-34)