• Hebrew text – “These are the words”. This is from the first word in the Hebrew text of the book. See Chapter 1:1.
• Greek text -“Deuteronium”.
• English text – “Deuteronomy”. This is a compound word of two Greek words. Dueteros is the Greek word for “second” and “nomus” is the Greek word for”law”. So the word “Deuteronomy” means simply “the second law”. Why? Because the law is given for a second time to the people of Israel

This is one of the most contested books in the Old Testament concerning authorship. There is evidence from Josephus, the Talmud, Ecclesiasticus, Deut 31 v 9, Joshua 1 v 7, 8 & Matthew 19 v 8, to show that Moses is the author of the book.

The place where the book of Deuteronomy occurs is on the other side of the Jordan river, on the eastern side, before they have entered into the land of Canaan. The time is stated in v 3. The book takes place 40 years and eleven months after the Exodus from Egypt. (2 years were spent journeying from Egypt to the border of Jordan, and 38 years were spent wandering because of their unbelief). The book of Deuteronomy now continues on where Numbers finished.

In this book you have the renewal of the covenant between God and the nation of Israel. The covenant was established at Mount Sinai in the book of Exodus. Now this generation has died in the 38 years of wandering. The second generation is led by Moses into a renewal of the covenant in this book,the book of Deuteronomy.

The purpose of the book is to declare the law again to the new generation of people. The law had been given, but Moses makes it clear and plain and he applies it to the present situation. They are about to enter into the land and so they need to be prepared for their new way of life.

There are five sections within the book.

• In chapter 1:1-5 we have The preamble to the treaty. The subjects who are involved are mentioned in this section.
• In chapters 1:6 – 4:49 we have the historical prologue. The historical background is given. This is the basis for Israel’s obligation to God.
• In chapters 5 – 26 The stipulations are released. Here are the obligations that Israel has to their God. These are the covenant obligations. Here you have a rehearsal, expansion and applications of the commandments and stipulations of the original covenant, that was made with Israel at Mount Sinai.
• In chapters 27 – 30 we have The blessings and the cursings. As the Israelites respond to their covenant obligations, they shall be either blessed or cursed. It depends on their obedience.
• In chapters 31 – 34 Provisions are made for the continuation of the covenant. Moses is going to die and so a successor is named. It is Joshua 2-7) Dealing with the Gentile nations.

• Deuteronomy 6:4 – Israel was unique among the nations surrounding them in that they believed in a monotheistic God. The Jewish children, when they were given their religious education, were taught this verse first of all. The Orthodox Jews looks at this verse and he does not understand the doctrine of the Trinity. Many theologians prefer to translate this verse as, “The Lord our God is our Lord only”. The verse not only refers to monotheism, but also to the fact that other “gods” should not be served.

• Deuteronomy 28 – This chapter gives the blessings and the cursings that God will give to Israel depending on their obedience to the covenant. In the first 14 verses God offers them the blessings. Then from verses 15-68 God states the curses that will come upon them if they do not keep the covenant. They are fourfold:-

1. Upon the land vs 20-26
2. Upon the people vs 27-34
3. Exiles vs 35-46
4. Conquests of their lands and implications vs 47-68

This is Israel’s history pre-written. Everything that happens from the time of Moses onwards, can be found in this chapter. Eg vs 37, 62 & 64-66. So when the Babylonians, Romans and Nazis persecuted Israel we know why by looking at this chapter.

• Deuteronomy 34 – This chapter mentions the death of Moses. The question is this, “If Moses dies in this chapter, how could he have written the chapter?” It seems likely that this last chapter was written by Joshua and added on as the appendix or epilogue, right at the end of the books of Moses. There is something mysterious about the death of Moses. In Jude 1:9 we read that Michael and Satan argued and fought for the body of Moses. It is possible that Moses is to be one of the witnesses mentioned in Revelation, during the Tribulation period. We do not know for certain. Moses did enter the land of Canaan at the Transfiguration.