The Book of Deuteronomy

An overview of the Book of Deuteronomy

Title

Deuteronomy comes from the Greek and it means "Second Law".

Authorship

Moses is considered the author of this book.

Format

This book is based on the "Treaty Format". It is set up very similar to the Near Eastern Vassal Treaty.

Outline

I. First Speech of Moses

A. Pre-amble (1:1-5)

B. Historical Prologue (1:6-3:29)

C. Introduction to the Stipulations (4:1-43)

II. Second Speech of Moses

A. Introduction (4:44-5:5)

B. Stipulations

1. The Decalogue (10 Commandments) (5:5-21)

2. People's response (5:22-33)

3. Elaborations of the Decalogue (6:1-26:19)

C. Document terms (27:1-10)

D. Curses and Blessings (27:11-28:68)

III. Third Speech of Moses: Final Charge (29-30)

IV. Last Words of Moses (31-34)

General Content

Deuteronomy consist of a series of farewell messages by Israel's 120 year old leader, Moses.

These are addressed to the new generation destined to posses the land of promise. The Lord is about to give them the land of Canaan because their parents refused to enter it on God's terms.

Moses reminds this new generation of the importance of obedience and he reviews the covenant with them giving them a perspective on the past and an exhortation regrading the future.

Moses himself sees the land from Mount Nebo but he does not enter.

Major Characters

Moses, Joshua, The Israelite People

Major Event

The review of the Mosaic Covenant

Return to Old Testament from Book of Deuteronomy