BACKGROUND NOTES ON THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY

Author The text of Deuteronomy explicitly attributes its contents to Moses, stating that "Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests" (Deuteronomy 31:9, 24). Mosaic authorship is affirmed across the Old Testament (e.g., Joshua 1:7-8, 1 Kings 2:3), uniform Jewish tradition, the early Church, and Jesus Himself, who cited Deuteronomy as the word of Moses (e.g., Matthew 19:7-8, Mark 12:19, John 5:46-47).
The final chapter (Chapter 34), which details the death and burial of Moses, was almost certainly added shortly after his death by Joshua or Eleazar the High Priest as an inspired epilogue.
The name "Deuteronomy" comes from the Greek Septuagint translation (Deuteronomion), meaning "Second Law" or "Copy of the Law" (derived from Deut 17:18), while the Hebrew title is Eleh Ha'devarim ("These are the words").
 
Why was it written?
Deuteronomy was delivered as a series of passionate farewell sermons by Moses to the second generation of Israelites on the verge of entering Canaan. The original generation that witnessed Mount Sinai had died out in the wilderness due to unbelief.
Moses wrote to re-explain, apply, and expand God's covenant law for this new generation. He sought to prepare them spiritually, morally, and politically to conquer Canaan, warning them against adopting pagan Canaanite idolatry, and urging them to love Yahweh whole-heartedly as His set-apart people.
 
How and when was it written?
Deuteronomy was spoken and committed to writing during the final month of Moses' life, while Israel was camped on the Plains of Moab east of the Jordan River (c. 1406 BC or 13th century BC).
Remarkably, Deuteronomy's structure precisely mirrors ancient Near Eastern *Suzerainty Treaties* of the 2nd millennium BC (featuring a Preamble, Historical Prologue, Stipulations, Blessings/Curses, and Deposit of Text). This literary architecture strongly validates its Mosaic origin in the 15th/13th century BC, refuting liberal critical claims ("D" source) that Deuteronomy was forged centuries later during the reign of King Josiah (621 BC).
 
First audience and destination:
The immediate audience was the new generation of Israel assembled on the Plains of Moab across from Jericho. They were standing on the threshold of the Promised Land, facing formidable military foes and spiritual temptations, needing a renewed commitment to Yahweh before Moses' leadership transitioned to Joshua.
 
Literary style:
Deuteronomy is written in classical Biblical Hebrew, combining several literary forms:
· Oratorical Sermons / Farewell Addresses : Passionate, hortatory preaching characterized by personal appeal ("Hear, O Israel!").
· Covenant Document : A formal legal treaty establishing the sovereign relationship between God (the Suzerain) and Israel (the vassal).
· Expository Law Code : Re-statement and practical expansion of the Sinai legislation for agrarian life in Canaan.
· Poetry and Song : The prophetic "Song of Moses" (Ch. 32) and the testamentary tribal blessings (Ch. 33).
 
Themes:
· The Uniqueness and Oneness of God : Monotheism is paramount — Yahweh alone is God in heaven above and on earth below; there is no other.
· Love and Heart Obedience : True covenant faith is not legalistic performance, but a loving response of the heart to God's prior grace ("Love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul, and strength").
· Remembering vs. Forgetting : Repeated commands to remember God's redemption from Egypt and warnings never to forget Yahweh when enjoying peace and wealth in Canaan.
· The Doctrine of Choice & Retribution : Obedience brings divine blessing and life; idolatry and covenant rebellion bring curses and exile ("I set before you life and death... Choose life!").
 
Special features
· The Shema (Deut 6:4-5) : "Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one..." — the foundational creed of Jewish faith, emphasized by Jesus as the greatest commandment in the law (Mark 12:28-30).
· Jesus' Weapon Against Satan : During His wilderness temptation (Matthew 4:1-11), Jesus defeated every temptation of Satan by quoting directly from the book of Deuteronomy (Deut 8:3, 6:16, 6:13).
· Prophecy of The Prophet Like Moses : Chapter 18:15-19 foretells the coming of a supreme Prophet from among Israel, explicitly fulfilled in Jesus Christ (Acts 3:22-23).
· Social Justice & Compassion : Extensive laws requiring care for the most vulnerable in society — the widow, the orphan, the resident foreigner (alien), and the Levite.
· Parental Discipleship : Clear instructions for parents to diligently teach God's word to their children in daily home life (Deut 6:6-9, 11:18-21).
 
General structure:
Deuteronomy is structured both as a series of three farewell addresses by Moses and as a classic ancient Near Eastern Covenant Treaty.
 

Sermon 1: What God Has Done — Historical Review (Chapters 1:1 - 4:43)
  · Chapters 1-3: Review of Israel's journey from Sinai to Moab and military victories
  · Chapter 4: Exhortation to obey God's laws and avoid idolatry
 
Sermon 2: What God Requires — Legal and Moral Stipulations (Chapters 4:44 - 26:19)
  · Chapters 5-11: Exposition of the Ten Commandments and the primacy of the Shema
  · Chapters 12-26: Specific laws for life in Canaan (worship, leadership, justice, and purity)
 
Sermon 3: What God Will Do — Covenant Renewal, Blessings, and Curses (Chapters 27 - 30)
  · Chapters 27-28: The blessings for obedience and severe curses for covenant rebellion
  · Chapters 29-30: Covenant renewal in Moab and the solemn call to "Choose Life"
 
Epilogue: Moses' Final Days and Transition of Leadership (Chapters 31 - 34)
  · Chapter 31: Joshua commissioned and the Law deposited beside the Ark
  · Chapter 32: The Song of Moses
  · Chapter 33: Moses' final prophetic blessings on the twelve tribes
  · Chapter 34: Moses views Canaan, dies on Mount Nebo, and is buried by God