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Note: The text used for my commentary is my own paraphrase and must not be considered a “translation” or authorative in any
way. It is, in fact, simply my commentary. A paraphrase is often the only comment necessary
to explain (expound, exposit) a particular passage.
Introduction to Deuteronomy
from Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible
Courtesy of Open Bible
This book is sometimes called “Elleh hadebarim,” from the words with which it begins; and sometimes by the Jews “Mishneh Torah,” the repetition of the law; and so in the Syriac version, with which agrees the Arabic title of it; and when the Greeks, and we after them, call it “Deuteronomy,” it is not to be understood of a second, a new, or another law, but of the law formerly delivered, but now repeated, and also more largely explained; to which are likewise added several particular laws, instructions, and directions; all which were necessary, on account of the people of Israel, who were now a new generation, that either were not born, or not at an age to hear and understand the law when given on Mount Sinai; the men that heard it there being all dead, excepting a very few; and these people were also now about to enter into the land of Canaan, which they were to enjoy as long as they kept the law of God, and no longer, and therefore it was proper they should be reminded of it.
And besides, Moses was now about to leave them, and having an hearty desire after their welfare, spends the little time he had to be with them, by inculcating into them and impressing on them the laws of God, and in opening and explaining them to them, and enforcing them on them, which were to be the rule of their obedience, and on which their civil happiness depended.
And sometimes the Jews call this book “the book of reproofs,” because there are in it several sharp reproofs of the people of Israel for their rebellion and disobedience; and so the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem begin it by calling it the words of reproof which Moses spake, etc.
That this book was written by Moses there can be no doubt, from Deuteronomy 1:1, only the eight last verses, which give an account of his death, and of his character, were wrote by another hand, equally inspired by God, as either Eleazar the priest, as some, or Samuel the prophet, as others; or, as it is the more commonly received opinion of the Jews, Ezra; though it is highly probable they were wrote by Joshua his successor.
This book was written and delivered by Moses, at certain times in the last month of his life, and towards the close of the fortieth year of the children of Israel's coming out of Egypt.
And that it is of divine authority need not be questioned, when the several quotations out of it are observed, as made by the apostles of Christ, in Acts 3:22, Hebrews 10:30 out of Deuteronomy 18:15 and by our Lord himself, Matthew 18:16 from Deuteronomy 19:15.
Yea, it is remarkable, that all the passages of Scripture produced by Christ, to repel the temptations of Satan, are all taken out of this book, Matthew 4:7 compared with Deuteronomy 8:3, and the voice from heaven, directing the apostles to hearken to him, refers to a prophecy of him in Deuteronomy 18:15.
1. Moshe’ First Address: A Historical Summary ( 1:1–4:49 )
a. Introduction ( 1:1–4 )
b. The Summary of Events in the Wilderness ( 1:5–4:49 )
i. The Call to Leave Sinai (Horeb) ( 1:5–8 )
ii. Moshe Appoints Leaders ( 1:9–18 )
iii. The Twelve Spies ( 1:19–46 )
1. Spies Sent Out ( 1:19–25 )
2. Isra'el’s Rebellion ( 1:26–33 )
3. Isra'el’s Penalty ( 1:34–40 )
4. The Defeat at Hormah ( 1:41–46 )
iv. The Journey from the Wilderness to the Plains of Mo’av ( 2:1–3:11 )
1. The Edomites, Mo’avites, and Ammonites ( 2:1–23 )
2. The Defeat of Sihon ( 2:24–37 )
3. The Defeat of Og ( 3:1–11 )
v. In the Plains of Mo’av ( 3:12–4:49 )
1. Land Division East of the Yarden ( 3:12–22 )
2. Moshe Forbidden to Cross the Yarden ( 3:23–29 )
3. An Exhortation to Obedience ( 4:1–40 )
4. The Cities of Refuge ( 4:41–43 )
5. Conclusion ( 4:44–49 )
2. Moshe’ Second Address: The Terms of the Covenant ( 5:1–26:19 )
a. The Basic Stipulations ( 5:1–11:32 )
i. Remembering Mount Sinai ( 5:1–33 )
1. The Covenant at Sinai ( 5:1–4 )
2. The Ten Commandments ( 5:5–21 )
3. Moshe Mediates Between God and Isra'el ( 5:22–33 )
ii. The Greatest Commandment ( 6:1–25 )
iii. When You Go into the Land ( 7:1–10:11 )
1. Do Not Assimilate into the Nations ( 7:1–11 )
2. God will Fight for Isra'el ( 7:12–26 )
3. Warning Against Becoming Proud ( 8:1–10:11 )
a. God has Provided All ( 8:1–20 )
b. Not Because of Your Righteousness ( 9:1–6 )
c. Remember the Golden Calf ( 9:7–29 )
d. The New Tablets of Stone ( 10:1–11 )
iv. Call to Obedience ( 10:12–11:32 )
b. The Specific Stipulations ( 12:1–26:19 )
i. Isra'el’s Worship ( 12:1–16:17 )
1. One Place for Worship ( 12:1–28 )
2. Warning against Idolatry ( 12:29–13:18 )
a. Do Not Inquire about Other Nations gods ( 12:29–32 )
b. Idolaters to be Put to Death ( 13:1–11 )
c. Idolatrous Cities to be Destroyed ( 13:12–18 )
3. Clean and Unclean Animals ( 14:1–21 )
4. Treatment of the Needy ( 14:22–15:23 )
a. Tithing to the Tabernacle ( 14:22–29 )
b. Cancel Depts in the Seventh Year ( 15:1–6 )
c. Generosity in Lending and Giving ( 15:7–11 )
d. Release of Hebrew Servants ( 15:12–18 )
e. Firstborn Animals ( 15:19–23 )
5. The Pilgrimage Festivals ( 16:1–17 )
a. Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread ( 16:1–8 )
b. The Feast of Weeks ( 16:9–12 )
c. The Feast of Tabernacles ( 16:13–17 )
ii. Isra'el’s Leaders ( 16:18–18:22 )
1. Judges and Justice ( 16:18–20 )
2. Forbidden Forms of Worship ( 16:21–17:7 )
a. Forbidden Locations ( 16:21–22 )
b. Detestable Sacrifices ( 17:1 )
c. Purge the Idolater ( 17:2–7 )
3. Courts of Law ( 17:8–13 )
4. Guidelines for a King ( 17:14–20 )
5. Provisions for Cohenim and Levites ( 18:1–8 )
6. Sorcery Forbidden ( 18:9–14 )
7. The Prophet like Moshe ( 18:15–22 )
iii. Civil Laws and Social Justice ( 19:1–26:19 )
1. Cities of Refuge ( 19:1–14 )
2. The Testimony of Two or Three Witnesses ( 19:15–21 )
3. The Laws of Warfare ( 20:1–20 )
4. Atonement for an Unsolved Murder ( 21:1–9 )
5. Marrying a Captive Woman ( 21:10–14 )
6. Inheritance Rights of the Firstborn ( 21:15–17 )
7. A Rebellious Son ( 21:18–21 )
8. Cursed is Anyone Hung on a Tree ( 21:22–23 )
9. Various Laws ( 22:1–12 )
10. Marriage Violations ( 22:13–30 )
11. Exclusion from the Congregation ( 23:1–8 )
12. Uncleanness in the Camp ( 23:9–14 )
13. Miscellaneous Laws ( 23:15–25 )
14. Marriage and Divorce Laws ( 24:1–5 )
15. Additional Laws ( 24:6–22 )
16. Fairness and Mercy ( 25:1–4 )
17. Widowhood and Marriage ( 25:5–12 )
18. Standard Weights and Measures ( 25:13–16 )
19. Revenge on the Amalekites ( 25:17–19 )
20. Offering Firstfruits and Tithes ( 26:1–15 )
21. Call to Obedience ( 26:16–19 )
3. Moshe’ Third Address: A Look into the Future ( 27:1–34:12 )
a. When You Enter the Land ( 27:1–28:68 )
i. The Altar on Mount Ebal ( 27:1–10 )
ii. Call and Response Curses ( 27:11–26 )
iii. The Blessings of Obedience ( 28:1–14 )
iv. The Curses of Disobedience ( 28:15–68 )
b. The Covenant in Mo’av ( 29:1–30:20 )
i. The Covenant with the Second Generation ( 29:1–29 )
ii. The Promise of Restoration ( 30:1–10 )
iii. The Choice of Life or Death ( 30:11–20 )
c. The Future Leadership of Isra'el ( 31:1–30 )
i. Y’hoshua to Succeed Moshe ( 31:1–8 )
ii. The Reading of the Law ( 31:9–13 )
iii. God Commissions Y’hoshua ( 31:14–23 )
iv. The Law Placed in the Ark of the Covenant ( 31:24–27 )
v. Leadership Gathers to Hear the Song of Moshe ( 31:28–30 )
d. The Song of Moshe ( 32:1–47 )
e. The Death of Moshe ( 32:48–34:12 )
i. Moshe’ Death Foretold ( 32:48–52 )
ii. Moshe Blesses the Twelve Tribes ( 33:1–29 )
iii. The Death of Moshe ( 34:1–12 )
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