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Guide to Deuteronomy

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The Book of Deuteronomy

/ Guide to Deuteronomy

Statistics

Statistics

5th book in the Bible
34 chapters
959 verses
28,352 words

 

Bible Statistics

Genre

Sacred History/Pentateuch

Sacred History retells events in primeval and mythic history.
The Pentateuch is the collection of five books that comprise the Law of Moses.

Biblical Genres

Author

Moses*

*Moses is the assumed author in the narrative. However, authorship for most Biblical books is inconclusive.

 

Biblical Authorship

Time Covered

1407–1406 B.C.*

*All Dates Are Approximate, according to the narrative of the Bible. These dates may reflect literary significance as opposed to the precise dates of history.

Biblical Chronology

Summary

Deuteronomy (from a Greek word meaning “second law-giving”) records a series of speeches offered by Moses before the Israelites entered the Promised Land. Deuteronomy begins with a brief retelling of Israel’s travels in the wilderness following the exodus (Deuteronomy 1–4:43) before moving to the bulk of the material, detailing the covenantal law that the children of Israel must follow should they desire the blessings of God (Deuteronomy 4:44–28:68). Some scholars divide this telling of the law into three parts: (1) A review of the covenant established at Sinai in Deuteronomy 5:1–11:30; (2) the proclamation of various laws complementary to the Sinai covenant in Deuteronomy 11:31–26:15; and (3) a collection of sacred rites regarding the ratification of this covenant in Deuteronomy 26:16–28:68. Deuteronomy 29–32 also details another covenant the Lord instructed the Israelites to enter regarding their responsibilities towards one another, ending with an account of Joshua’s commission to succeed Moses and Moses’ witness to future generations. The Book of Deuteronomy ends with Moses’ final blessings to Israel and an account of his burial by the hand of the Lord, which is clarified by latter-day scripture to refer to Moses’ translation.

Old Testament Minute: Deuteronomy
Book Outline

Moses Recounts the Exodus and Wanderings of Israel (Deuteronomy 1–3)

Deuteronomy 1

  • The Lord Commanded the Israelites to Leave Horeb (Deuteronomy 1:1–8)
  • Moses Appointed Tribal Leaders (Deuteronomy 1:9–18)
  • The Israelites Sent Scouts into the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 1:19–33)
  • The Israelites Were Punished for their Lack of Faith (Deuteronomy 1:34–46)

Deuteronomy 2

  • The Israelites Wandered in the Wilderness (Deuteronomy 2:1–23)
  • The Israelites Defeated King Sihon of Heshbon (Deuteronomy 2:24–37)

Deuteronomy 3

  • The Israelites Defeated King Og of Bashan (Deuteronomy 3:1–11)
  • The Lord Divided the Promised Land for the Tribes (Deuteronomy 3:12–20)
  • The Lord Forbade Moses from Going into the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 3:21–29)

Introduction to the Stipulations of the Covenant (Deuteronomy 4–11)

Deuteronomy 4

  • Moses Commands Obedience (Deuteronomy 4:1–14)
  • Idolatry is Forbidden (Deuteronomy 4:15–31)
  • God’s Works Among Israel Have Been Remarkable (Deuteronomy 4:32–40)
  • Moses Sets Apart Cities of Refuge (Deuteronomy 4:41–43)
  • Introduction to the Law (Deuteronomy 4:44–49)

Deuteronomy 5

  • Moses Reviews the Ten Commandments (Deuteronomy 5:1–21)
  • The Israelites Feared to Go into the Lord’s Presence (Deuteronomy 5:22–33)

Deuteronomy 6

  • The First and Great Commandment (Deuteronomy 6:1–25)

Deuteronomy 7

  • Israelites Shall Be Faithful to Their Covenant with the Lord (Deuteronomy 7:1–11)
  • The Lord Will Keep His Covenant with Israel (Deuteronomy 7:12–26)

Deuteronomy 8

  • Do Not Forget the Lord (Deuteronomy 8:1–20)

Deuteronomy 9

  • Israel Will Possess the Land Because of the Nations’ Wickedness (Deuteronomy 9:1–6)
  • Moses Reviews Israel’s Rebellions Against the Lord (Deuteronomy 9:7–29)

Deuteronomy 10

  • Moses Created Two New Tablets (Deuteronomy 10:1–11)
  • Fear, Love, and Serve the Lord (Deuteronomy 10:12–22; 11:1–7)

Deuteronomy 11

  • The Fertility and Strength of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 11:8–25)
  • Blessings and Cursings (Deuteronomy 11:26–32)

Detailed Stipulations of the Covenant on Purity and Unity (Deuteronomy 12–26)

Deuteronomy 12

  • The Israelites Are to Worship in One Place (Deuteronomy 12:1–14)
  • Instructions on Eating Flesh of Animals (Deuteronomy 12:15–32)

Deuteronomy 13

  • Do Not Worship Other Gods (Deuteronomy 13:1–18)

Deuteronomy 14

  • Clean and Unclean Foods (Deuteronomy 14:1–29)
  • Tithes

Deuteronomy 15

  • The Sabbatical Year (Deuteronomy 15:1–18)
  • The Firstlings of the Flock ((Deuteronomy 15:19–23)

Deuteronomy 16

  • The Passover (Deuteronomy 16:1–8)
  • The Festival of Weeks (Deuteronomy 16:9–12)
  • The Festival of Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:13–17)
  • Judges (Deuteronomy 16:18–20)
  • Forbidden Forms of Worship (Deuteronomy 16:21–22; 17:1–7)

Deuteronomy 17

  • Legal Courts (Deuteronomy 17:8–13)
  • A King Over Israel (Deuteronomy 17:14–20)

Deuteronomy 18

  • The Offerings for the Priests and Levites (Deuteronomy 18:1–8)
  • The Prohibition of Divination and Occult Practices (Deuteronomy 18:9–14)
  • A New Prophet Like Moses Will Arise (Deuteronomy 18:15–22)

Deuteronomy 19

  • Cities of Refuge (Deuteronomy 19:1–14)
  • Witnesses in a Legal Dispute (Deuteronomy 19:15–21)

Deuteronomy 20

  • Warfare (Deuteronomy 20:1–20)

Deuteronomy 21

  • Unsolved Cases of Murder (Deuteronomy 21:1–9)
  • Laws for Marriage and Family (Deuteronomy 21:10–21)
  • Death by Hanging on a Tree (Deuteronomy 21:22–23)

Deuteronomy 22

  • Various Laws (Deuteronomy 22:1–12)
  • Sexual Violations (Deuteronomy 22:13–30)

Deuteronomy 23

  • Those Who Are Excluded from the Congregation of the Lord (Deuteronomy 23:1–8)
  • Various Laws (Deuteronomy 23:9–25)

Deuteronomy 24

  • Various Laws (Deuteronomy 24:1–22)

Deuteronomy 25

  • Various Laws (Deuteronomy 25:1–4)
  • Levirate Marriage (Deuteronomy 25:5–10)
  • Various Laws (Deuteronomy 25:11–19)

Deuteronomy 26

  • Offering of the Firstfruits (Deuteronomy 26:1–11)
  • Offering of Tithes (Deuteronomy 26:12–15)
  • Concluding Exhortation to Obey the Lord’s Commands (Deuteronomy 26:16–19)

Ceremonies (Deuteronomy 27:1–8)

Deuteronomy 27

  • The Israelites Are to Build an Altar on Mount Ebal (Deuteronomy 27:1–8)

Blessings and Cursings (Deuteronomy 27:9–28:68)

  • The Israelites Are to Shout Curses from Mount Ebal (Deuteronomy 27:9–26)

Deuteronomy 28

  • Blessings for Obedience (Deuteronomy 28:1–14)
  • Curses for Disobedience (Deuteronomy 28:15–68)

Deuteronomy 29

Covenant Renewal (Deuteronomy 29)

Deuteronomy 30

  • The Lord Promises Fidelity to Israel through the Covenant (Deuteronomy 30:1–10)
  • The Israelites May Choose Life or Death (Deuteronomy 30:11–20)

Deuteronomy 31

Succession, Deposition, and Recitation of Text

  • Joshua Will Succeed Moses (Deuteronomy 31:1–8)
  • Moses Commands the Priests to Recite the Law (Deuteronomy 31:9–13)
  • Moses and Joshua Receive the Lord’s Instructions (Deuteronomy 31:14–30)

Deuteronomy 32

  • The Song of Moses (Deuteronomy 32:1–52)

Deuteronomy 33

  • Moses Gives a Final Blessing on Israel (Deuteronomy 33:1–29)

Deuteronomy34

  • The Death of Moses and the Commissioning of Joshua (Deuteronomy 34:1–12)

Videos

Watch selected videos on this book of the Bible to enhance your study. Note: Not all videos included come from a Latter-day Saint perspective. Inclusion on this list should not imply endorsement for all content.

Overview: Deuteronomy

BibleProject

The Book of Deuteronomy

BibleProject

Deuteronomy: a Quick Overview | Whiteboard Bible Study

OverviewBible

Historical Settings

Main People

Read bios of the people in this book.

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LORD

Jan van 't Hoff, "The Covenant Renewal," Gospel Images.

Moses

Place Holder

Israel, Israelites, or Children of Israel

Place Holder

Israel, Priests of

Place Holder

Aaron, Sons of

Main Places

Read about places mentioned in this book.

See all People

Wilderness of the Wandering

Time

*All Dates Are Approximate, according to the narrative of the Bible. These dates may reflect literary significance as opposed to the precise dates of history.

See Biblical Chronology
  • 1407–1406 B.C.*

Further Reading

Daniel L. Belnap, “The Law of Moses: Overview,” in New Testament History, Culture, and Society: A Background to the Texts of the New Testament, ed. Lincoln H. Blumell (Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2019), 19-34.

Matthew L. Bowen, “Jewish Hermeneutics in the New Testament Period,” in New Testament History, Culture, and Society: A Background to the Texts of the New Testament, ed. Lincoln H. Blumell (Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2019), 86-108.

Timothy W. Durkin, “Deuteronomy as a Constitutional Covenant,” in Covenants, Prophecies, and Hymns of the Old Testament: The Thirtieth Annual Sidney B. Sperry Symposium (Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2001), 74–88.

Richard Neitzel Holzapfel, Dana M. Pike, and David Rolph Seely, Jehovah and the World of the Old Testament: An Illustrated Reference for Latter-day Saints (Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book, 2009), 136-147.

George A. Horton Jr., “Insights into Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy,” in The Joseph Smith Translation: The Restoration of Plain and Precious Truths, ed. Monte S. Nyman and Robert L. Millet (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University, 1985), 71–88.

Jennifer C. Lane, “Worship: Bowing Down and Serving the Lord,” in Ascending the Mountain of the Lord: Temple, Praise, and Worship in the Old Testament (2013 Sperry Symposium), ed. Jeffrey R. Chadwick, Matthew J. Grey, and David Rolph Seely (Provo, UT: Religious Studies Center, Brigham Young University; Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 2013), 122–135.

Robert E. Lund, “Teaching Old Testament Laws,” Religious Educator 8, no. 3 (2007): 51–64.

Keith H. Meservy, “The Good News of Moses (Deuteronomy),” in Studies in Scripture, vol. 3: Genesis to 2 Samuel, ed. Kent P. Jackson and Robert L. Millet (Salt Lake City, UT: Deseret Book, 1989), 205–224.

Ellis T. Rasmussen, “Deuteronomy,” in Encyclopedia of Mormonism, 4 vols., ed. Daniel H. Ludlow (New York: MacMillan Publishing, 1992), 1:378–379.

Ellis T. Rasmussen, “Relationships of God and Man according to a Text and Targum of Deuteronomy” (Ph.D. dissertation; Brigham Young University, 1967).

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