Book of Deuteronomy
The Book of Deuteronomy is the fifth and final book of the Torah, a foundational text in both Judaism and Christianity, often attributed to the prophet Moses. It is framed as a series of speeches delivered by Moses to the Hebrew people as they prepare to enter the Promised Land. This book is significant for detailing the covenant between God and the Israelites, emphasizing the importance of obedience to God's laws and the consequences of disobedience. The term "Deuteronomy" originates from Greek, meaning "second law," highlighting its role in restating the laws given previously. The text includes historical narratives, moral teachings, and prophetic messages, and underscores the idea that the Israelites are God's chosen people. While traditionally ascribed to Moses, many scholars suggest it was written in the seventh century BCE by later religious leaders. Key themes include the necessity of exclusive worship of God, the blessings tied to obedience, and a strong moral and ethical framework. The Book of Deuteronomy has had a lasting impact on both faith traditions, shaping religious practices and beliefs that continue to resonate today.
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Book of Deuteronomy
The book of Deuteronomy is a book of Jewish and Christian scripture. It is the fifth and last book of the Torah, a sacred Jewish text. It is also part of the Christian Bible's Old Testament. Authorship of Deuteronomy is generally attributed to the prophet Moses, though debate about this exists. Deuteronomy is written as a series of speeches from Moses to the Hebrew people that contain history, rules (and the rewards and consequences for breaking them), and sermon-like addresses containing words of wisdom, encouragement, and prophecy. The book explains God's covenant with his people. It serves as the foundation of Judaism and is formative for Christianity.
Background
The word Deuteronomy comes from the Greek words deuteros, meaning "second," and nomos, meaning "law." Combined, the words became the Greek deuteronomion, or "second law," which refers to the fact that the book describes the second time God gave the law to the people of Israel. The book of Deuteronomy received its name based on a mistranslation of the Hebrew word devarim, which comes from the first words of the book, "Eleh ha-devarim" in Hebrew, or "These are the words" in English. (Hebrew scriptures are generally named after the first line of their text.)
The book of Deuteronomy is part of the Bible that both Jews and Christians use. Adherents of both faiths consider it a collection of sacred texts written by people but inspired by God that documents the relationship between God and humankind. It describes God's creation of the world, interactions between God and humanity, and God's plans and expectations for the world and its people.
Both Jews and Christians (as well as Muslims) trace their faiths' origins to Abraham, a patriarch who lived during the second millennium BCE and is credited with being the first to adopt monotheism, or belief in one god. Other parts of Jewish and Christian scripture share the story of Abraham's relationship with God and the history of the Hebrew people leading up to Moses's life, leadership, and work among them. According to these scriptures, Moses leads the Hebrew people from a life of servitude in Egypt. He takes them into the desert toward a new homeland promised to them by God. The people wander in the desert for forty years, and Moses grows old. God tells Moses that he will not get to the new home, or Promised Land, because he disobeyed God.
Deuteronomy begins at the point at which Moses's life is coming to an end. He is preparing God's people to go into the Promised Land without him.
Overview
The events described in the book of Deuteronomy occurred around 1406 BCE, according to most biblical historians. Although authorship is attributed to Moses, who died around this same time, most experts agree that the book of Deuteronomy was written around the seventh century BCE. Claims that Moses wrote the book come from statements within the book itself, which identifies Moses as the author.
Since writing was not a commonplace skill until around the eighth through the sixth centuries BCE, others attribute the writing of Deuteronomy to the prophet Samuel, who lived in the eleventh century BCE or to other religious leaders around the seventh century BCE. Priests and other religious leaders often received more education than the average person and were more likely to have been able to write. Some experts believe that the writings in the book could have been shared orally for centuries, a common practice for important stories of all types at the time, but were not actually written down for many years. It is thought that the writing of the stories could have occurred as late as the Babylonian exile in the sixth century BCE.
The events described in the book of Deuteronomy take place in the Plains of Moab on the eastern side of the Jordan River. Forty years earlier, Moses led the Hebrews out of Egypt, where they had worked for the Egyptian pharaoh in harsh conditions. According to earlier books of scripture, the Hebrews had not obeyed God. They had worshipped idols and complained about the food provided for them, so they wandered in the desert for forty years until a new generation, who had not disobeyed, rose up. Moses, however, also had disobeyed God and was not allowed to enter the Promised Land. Joshua, one of the younger leaders under Moses, was preparing to lead the Hebrews when the time appointed by God arrived. At this point, Moses undertakes a series of sermon-like addresses to remind the Hebrews of what God expects and prepares them for their new life.
The main theme of Deuteronomy is the importance of the covenant, or agreement, between God and the people. The people are to worship and obey God alone in exchange for God's favor and protection. Moses expands on the law as presented in previous texts and reminds the people of the rules along with the consequences and rewards associated with obedience. He tells the Hebrews why they are God's chosen people, warns them about activities that can cause them to lose God's favor, such as idolatry and improper worship, and reminds them of God's faithfulness. He also tells them of his impending death, transfers his authority to Joshua, and offers the people his final blessing.
The Book of Deuteronomy is a key text in both Jewish and Christian scriptures. It is the origin of the idea that worship and religious life can be based on the reading and study of a sacred text. It sets the expectation upon which both faith traditions are based—that the one God alone should be worshipped and obeyed. One of its key phrases, the instruction to "love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength" (Deut. 6:5), is a foundation of Jewish belief and is repeated in the Christian New Testament (Matt. 26: 36–40, Luke 10:27). Jesus Christ, who was a devout Jew, refers to these words from Deuteronomy as the greatest commandment and cites the text multiple times during his ministry, making the work important to the Christian faith as well.
Bibliography
"Abraham." BBC, 23 June 2009, www.bbc.co.uk/religion/religions/judaism/history/abraham‗1.shtml. Accessed 15 Sept. 2017.
"Analysis and Synthesis of the book of Deuteronomy." The Bible.org,bible.org/seriespage/5-analysis-and-synthesis-book-deuteronomy. Accessed 15 Sept. 2017.
"Deuteronomy, book of." Oxford Biblical Studies Online,www.oxfordbiblicalstudies.com/print/opr/t94/e524. Accessed 15 Sept. 2017.
"Deuteronomy: Jesus' Favourite Book." CWR.org, www.cwr.org.uk/deuteronomy-jesus-favourite-book. Accessed 15 Sept. 2017.
Glatt-Gilad, David. "Deuteronomy: The First Torah." The Torah,thetorah.com/deuteronomy-the-first-torah/. Accessed 15 Sept. 2017.
"Introduction to Deuteronomy." ESV.org, www.esv.org/resources/esv-global-study-bible/introduction-to-deuteronomy/. Accessed 15 Sept. 2017.
Schniedewind, William M. "Origins of the Written Bible." PBS,18 Nov. 2008, www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ancient/origins-written-bible.html. Accessed 15 Sept. 2017.
Tigay, Jeffrey. "The Book of Deuteronomy." My Jewish Learning,www.myjewishlearning.com/article/deuteronomy/. Accessed 15 Sept. 2017.