The Law (Torah)
The book of Deuteronomy
Moses’ farewell speeches on the plains of Moab, renewing the covenant before Israel enters the land.
Deuteronomy records Moses’ final sermons in the last weeks of his life, reminding the new generation of the law and calling them to love and obey the LORD. Moses wrote it down and gave it to the priests (Deuteronomy 31:9). The account of his death in chapter 34 was added by someone else, traditionally Joshua.
Written at: the plains of Moab (Deuteronomy 1:1–5)
Kinds of writing
- Law 50%
- Discourse 37%
- Narrative 6%
- Song and psalm 4%
- Prophecy 3%
Key verses
Hear, Israel: love Yahweh your God. Hear, Israel: Yahweh is our God. Yahweh is one. You shall love Yahweh your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might.
Deuteronomy 6:4-5 (World English Bible)
Not by bread only. He humbled you, allowed you to be hungry, and fed you with manna, which you didn’t know, neither did your fathers know, that he might teach you that man does not live by bread only, but man lives by every word that proceeds out of Yahweh’s mouth.
Deuteronomy 8:3 (World English Bible)
A prophet like Moses. Yahweh your God will raise up to you a prophet from among you, of your brothers, like me. You shall listen to him.
Deuteronomy 18:15 (World English Bible)
Choose life. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore choose life, that you may live, you and your descendants,
Deuteronomy 30:19 (World English Bible)
Be strong and courageous. Be strong and courageous. Don’t be afraid or scared of them, for Yahweh your God himself is who goes with you. He will not fail you nor forsake you.
Deuteronomy 31:6 (World English Bible)
People
Places
Mount HorebKadesh-barneaHeshbonBashanMoabMount EbalMount GerizimMount Nebo
On the timeline
Victories over Sihon and OgMoses' farewell speeches (Deuteronomy)Joshua commissioned to succeed MosesMoses dies on Mount Nebo
The New Testament quotes or alludes to Deuteronomy 36 times (counted in the site’s Old in the New).
Dating notes
Moses died in 1451 BC (Ussher; 1406 BC on the 1446 BC Exodus date). Many modern scholars hold that the Pentateuch was put together from several sources over centuries after Moses; the traditional view, which this timeline follows, is that Moses wrote it, with small later touches such as the account of his death.