Deuteronomy is a book in the Bible. It is the last of the five books of Moses, meaning it deals with Moses, the Israelites and their ancestors, and their relationship with God. It is part of the Torah. The Hebrew name of the book is Dbariym, which means 'people of the Word.'
Deuteronomy
Language
Deuteronomy is a prose text. It is intended not so much for silent reading as for recitation, impressing the listener through rhetorical devices: broadly stretched sentence periods, divided into speech lines and adorned with assonances, create a surging rhythm. On the one hand, Deuteronomy argues and courts the listener's approval; on the other hand, the book has a pedagogical interest. Key words and recurring phrases imprint or recall religious content. This "rhetorical art prose" is characterized by a high recognition value. The Hebrew text of Deuteronomy has a special aesthetic quality. Thus, the Encyclopedia Judaica states, "The style of Deuteronomy is distinguished by its simplicity, fluency, and clarity, and is recognizable for its use of language and especially for its rhetorical character."
Table of Contents
The following outline of Deuteronomy is based on the presentation by Jan Christian Gertz and Karin Finsterbusch:
| 1,1–5 | Book Introduction | ||
| 1,6–4,43 | First speech of Moses | Review of the 40-year wilderness wandering: delays in taking the promised land. Admonition about the prohibition of images - Israel constitutes itself as a learning community (4,1-40). Narrative note: Establishment of asylum cities on the East Bank (4:41-43). | |
| 4,44–49 | Headline and introduction of the second speech | ||
| 5,1–11,32 | Second speech of Moses | Review of events at Horeb: Decalogue; Shema Yisrael; exhortation about the most important commandment. | |
| 12,1 | Heading of the body of the law | ||
| 12,2–26,15 | Body of Law | 12,2–16,17 | Cult centralization and privilege of YHWH (= duties of every Israelite to YHWH); social laws. |
| 16,18–18,22 | Laws of office, so-called constitutional draft (= "laws of office organized according to powers over judge, king, priest, prophet"). | ||
| 19,1–26,15 | Legal, social, and taboo regulations; cultic appendix. | ||
| 26,16–19 | Transition to the third speech | ||
| 27–30 | Third speech of Moses | Curse and blessing (27:11-28:68). Covenant in the land of Moab (29,1-30,20). | |
| 31–34 | Conclusion of the entire Pentateuch | Commissioning of Joshua as Moses' successor and writing of the Torah (31:1-13). Song of Moses (31:14-32:44). Final note and last exhortations (32:45-47). Last commissions of God to Moses (32:48-34:12). Moses' blessing (33:1-29). Moses' death and final tribute as prophet (34:1-12). |
Questions and Answers
Q: What is Deuteronomy?
A: Deuteronomy is a book in the Bible.
Q: What is the subject matter of Deuteronomy?
A: Deuteronomy deals with Moses, the Israelites and their ancestors, and their relationship with God.
Q: How many books of Moses are there?
A: There are five books of Moses.
Q: What does the Hebrew name of the book, Dbariym, mean?
A: The Hebrew name of the book, Dbariym, means 'people of the Word.'
Q: Is Deuteronomy a part of the Torah?
A: Yes, Deuteronomy is part of the Torah.
Q: Who is mentioned in the book of Deuteronomy?
A: The book of Deuteronomy mentions Moses, the Israelites, and their ancestors.
Q: What is the significance of Deuteronomy?
A: Deuteronomy is significant because it explores the relationship between the Israelites and God, and provides a moral code and laws for the Israelites to follow.