Deuteronomy

Deuteronomy, fifth book of the Old Testament, traditionally ascribed to Moses. Its English title, derived from the Greek words deuteros (“second”) and nomos (“law”), is a misnomer, as the book contains no new legislation. Rather, it is a repetition of previous laws with an urgent appeal to obey them. Jews use the first word or first significant word of the text of each of the first five books of the Bible, or Pentateuch, as titles. Thus Deuteronomy is known in Hebrew as Devarim (“words”).

The book consists mainly of homilies and sermons attributed to Moses. It begins with a recapitulation (chap. 1-4) of noteworthy events during the journey of the Israelites, beginning with their departure from Sinai to their arrival in the land of Moab. The next two chapters repeat the Ten Commandments and urge the observance of divine laws and statutes. Included in this section is an exhortation, known as the Shema, “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord” (6:4), a confession of faith and summary of the creed of Judaism that adherents to the faith recite each evening and morning and at the point of death. The next, and lengthiest, section (chap. 7-26) consists of a body of religious and civil law. After presenting the code of laws, Moses then utters a series of blessings and curses (chap. 27-28) that will reward the obedient and punish the disobedient. The closing section (chap. 29-34) contains the last speeches of Moses, an account of the appointment of Joshua as his successor, the farewell Song of Moses, Moses' final blessing of the 12 Israelite tribes, and an account of his death and burial.

The literary history of the book, in particular the material in the code of laws, is complicated and much disputed. Some scholars view most of the contents as traditional material passed down orally from the 8th century bc, recorded in the 7th century, lost, then rediscovered as reported in 2 Kings 22, 23 and in 2 Chronicles 34, 35. These chapters tell of the finding of a book of law in the First Temple during the reign of the Judean king Josiah. Other scholars believe that most of Deuteronomy was composed late in the 7th century bc and attributed to Moses to lend weight to important religious reforms carried out by Josiah in 622-621 bc. The centralizing of worship in the Temple at Jerusalem was a primary concern of the king, and this concern is heavily emphasized by the author (or authors) of Deuteronomy.