Book of Deuteronomy
The title of this article is ambiguous. For other meanings, see Deuteronomy (disambiguation).
Deuteronomy (abbreviated Dtn) is the fifth book of the Pentateuch. Devarim, Hebrew: "words", is the name of Deuteronomy in Jewish Hebrew Bible editions. In most Protestant Bible translations it is called the Fifth Book of Moses.
The content of the book is the last day in the life of its main character Moses. Moses spends this day with speeches to the gathered people of Israel, who prepare themselves for the crossing of the Jordan and the conquest of the land promised by their God YHWH. Moses will no longer be involved in this, his speeches will in a sense represent him from now on. These farewell speeches refer to themes that already appear within the Pentateuch in the books of Exodus (especially chapters 20-23: Book of the Covenant) and Leviticus (especially chapters 17-26: Law of Sanctity). At the end of Deuteronomy Moses dies.
Typical for Deuteronomy is the combination of legal texts and argumentative, admonishing or warning remarks of Moses (paraenesis). This exhortation is placed like a frame as prologue and epilogue around the legal material that forms the core of Deuteronomy (chapters 12 to 26). In this central legal part, Moses takes a back seat as a speaker.
The material similarities with the Book of the Covenant and the Law of Holiness are explained in the majority of cases in the way that Deuteronomy is a commentary on the Book of the Covenant, while the Law of Holiness comments on Deuteronomy. Deuteronomy contains an innovation that is very unusual even in the ancient Near Eastern context: it calls for a central sanctuary for YHWH instead of many local sanctuaries. This cult centralization corresponds to the unity of YHWH proclaimed in the Shma Yisrael. The Ten Commandments programmatically precede the Book of the Covenant as they do the laws of Deuteronomy. This positioning is probably meant as a reading instruction to understand the Book of the Covenant in light of Deuteronomy.
The older parts of Deuteronomy are thought to have originated in Jerusalem (8th-6th century BC). The authors deal with Neo-Assyrian politics and their ideological justification. However, according to many exegetes, the actual elaboration of the text took place somewhat later, in exilic and early post-exilic times. Now the situation presupposed in Deuteronomy became important for the interpretation of one's own existence: to imagine a future dwelling in the land of Israel outside of it and to immerse oneself learningly in the commandments that should then apply.
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.
