Deuteronomy
The book of Deuteronomy recounts the Israelites' journey from Horeb to Kadesh-barnea and their eventual possession of the land God had sworn to their fathers. Moses, who led the Israelites, instructed them to follow God's commandments and not to add or take away from them, so that they may live and possess the land. He reminded them of the covenant God made with them at Horeb and the Ten Commandments, and warned them not to make any graven images or worship other gods. Moses also instructed the Israelites on various laws and regulations, including dietary laws, the treatment of slaves, and the observance of festivals. He warned them against idolatry and the consequences of breaking the covenant, which would include God's fury and the destruction of the land. The book concludes with Moses' blessing of the tribes of Israel, his death, and the transition of leadership to Joshua.
Chapter 1
Moses spoke to the Israelites across the Jordan, recounting their journey from Horeb to Kadesh-barnea, and how God instructed them to enter and possess the land He had sworn to their fathers. Moses appointed wise and experienced men as rulers to help govern the people, and then led them through the wilderness, instructing them to listen to these rulers and judge justly. When they arrived at Kadesh-barnea, Moses told them to ascend and possess the land, but they were afraid and instead sent spies to consider the land, who reported that it was good but the people were great and the cities were large. Despite Moses' reassurance that God would fight on their behalf, the people did not believe and murmured against God, leading to His anger and a vow that none of that generation would see the promised land, except for Caleb and Joshua.
Chapter 2
The Israelites were instructed by God to turn north and pass through the land of the sons of Esau, but not to fight them, as God had given Mount Seir to Esau as a possession. They were also told not to fight the Moabites or the sons of Ammon, as God had given their lands to them as possessions. After 38 years, the Israelites crossed the Zered torrent and were instructed by God to cross the Arnon torrent and take possession of the land of Sihon, the king of Heshbon, who had been delivered into their hands by God. The Israelites defeated Sihon and his people, seizing all their cities and killing the inhabitants, except for the land of the sons of Ammon, which they were not allowed to approach.
Chapter 3
The Israelites defeated Og, the king of Bashan, and his people, taking control of his land and cities. The Lord had assured Moses that Og would be delivered into their hands, just as Sihon, the king of the Amorites, had been. The Israelites then took possession of the land from the Jordan River to Mount Hermon, dividing it among the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and Manasseh. Moses instructed the tribes to arm themselves and help their brothers conquer the land beyond the Jordan, but the Lord refused to allow Moses to cross the Jordan, instead ordering him to ascend Mount Pisgah to view the land and to instruct and encourage Joshua, who would lead the people in its conquest.
Chapter 4
Moses instructs the Israelites to follow God's commandments and not to add or take away from them, so that they may live and possess the land God will give them. He reminds them of the covenant God made with them at Horeb, where God spoke to them from the midst of fire, and warns them not to make any graven images or worship other gods. Moses also reminds them of God's power and love for their fathers, and how He led them out of Egypt and will give them the land of the nations. He sets aside three cities of refuge across the Jordan for those who have killed someone unintentionally.
Chapter 5
Moses reminds the Israelites of the covenant God made with them at Horeb, where God spoke to them face to face from the midst of fire, and Moses acted as mediator. God gave them the Ten Commandments, which include worshiping only Him, not making idols, not taking His name in vain, observing the Sabbath, honoring parents, and not committing murder, adultery, theft, or bearing false testimony. The people, fearing God's voice and the fire, asked Moses to act as their intermediary and receive God's commandments on their behalf. God approved of the people's request and instructed Moses to teach them His commandments and ceremonies.
Chapter 6
The Israelites are instructed to fear and obey God, keeping all His commandments and precepts, so that they may live long and prosperous lives in the land God has promised them. They are to love God with all their heart, soul, and strength, and to teach these words to their sons and meditate on them constantly. When they enter the promised land, they must not forget God or follow other gods, but instead serve Him alone and keep His precepts. If they do, God will be merciful to them and they will prosper.
Chapter 7
The Lord will deliver seven nations to the Israelites, and they are to utterly destroy them, showing no pity and making no covenants with them. The Israelites are not to intermarry with these nations or serve their gods, lest they be led astray and incur God's wrath. The Lord has chosen the Israelites as his holy people, not because of their size or strength, but because of his love for them and his oath to their fathers. If the Israelites keep God's precepts and judgments, he will keep his covenant with them, bless them, and multiply them.
Chapter 8
The Israelites are reminded to observe God's commandments diligently so they may live and possess the land promised to their fathers. God led them through the desert for 40 years, afflicting them with need and testing their obedience, to reveal that man lives not by bread alone but by God's word. After entering the good land, they are to remember the Lord and bless him for the abundance they receive, lest they forget him and attribute their prosperity to their own strength. If they forget God and follow foreign gods, they will utterly perish like the nations the Lord destroyed before them.
Chapter 9
The Israelites are reminded that they will soon cross the Jordan to possess the land of the nations, but it is not because of their own righteousness that they will succeed, but rather because of the wickedness of the nations they will displace. The Lord will go before them, destroying the nations, and it is because of his promise to their fathers, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, that they will inherit the land. The Israelites are also reminded of their own rebelliousness and stiff-necked nature, and how they provoked the Lord to anger in the wilderness, particularly at Horeb where they made a molten calf and the Lord was willing to destroy them. Moses interceded for the people, praying that the Lord would not destroy them, and the Lord heeded his prayer.
Chapter 10
Moses made a new ark and two stone tablets, and God wrote the Ten Commandments on them. Moses then placed the tablets in the ark and gave the tribe of Levi the responsibility of carrying the ark and serving God. God instructed Moses to lead the people into the land He had promised them, and Moses told the Israelites to fear God, walk in His ways, and love Him with their whole heart and soul. God reminded the Israelites that He is a great and powerful God who favors no person and accepts no bribe, and He instructed them to love sojourners and fear Him alone.
Chapter 11
The Israelites are reminded to love and obey God, keeping his commandments and ceremonies, and to teach their sons about the great works God accomplished for them. If they obey, God will give them rain and fertile land, but if they disobey, he will withhold rain and they will perish. They are instructed to place God's words in their hearts, teach them to their sons, and write them on their doorposts. If they keep God's commandments, he will scatter their enemies and give them the land he promised. A blessing will come if they obey, but a curse if they disobey and follow foreign gods.
Chapter 12
The Israelites are instructed to destroy the places where the nations they will dispossess worshiped their gods, but they must not do the same to the Lord their God. Instead, they are to approach the place the Lord will choose among their tribes, where they will offer sacrifices, tithes, and first-fruits, and eat in the sight of the Lord. They are not to offer sacrifices in any place they see, but only in the place the Lord will choose, and they must not eat the blood of the animals they sacrifice. The Israelites are also warned not to imitate the nations they will dispossess, but to follow only the commands of the Lord.
Chapter 13
If a prophet or dreamer predicts a sign that comes true but then tells the people to follow other gods, they should not be listened to, as this is a test of the people's love for God. Instead, the people should follow God's commandments and put the prophet or dreamer to death for trying to turn them away from God. The same punishment applies to family members or friends who try to persuade someone to serve foreign gods. If an entire city is found to be serving other gods, the inhabitants should be killed and the city destroyed, with all its goods burned as an offering to God.
Chapter 14
The Israelites are instructed to be holy and separate from other nations, and to avoid certain practices such as cutting themselves or making themselves bald for the dead. They are given dietary laws, including which animals are clean and may be eaten, such as those with divided hooves and that chew the cud, and which are unclean and may not be eaten. They are also instructed on which birds and fish are clean and may be eaten. Additionally, they are told not to eat animals that have died of themselves, but to give them to sojourners or sell them. The Israelites are also instructed to tithe their crops and to eat them in the presence of the Lord, and to take care of the Levites, sojourners, orphans, and widows within their gates.
Chapter 15
The Israelites are instructed to observe a year of remission every seven years, during which they are not to request the return of debts from their fellow countrymen, but may still collect from foreigners. They are also commanded to lend to the poor and needy among them, and to not harden their hearts or turn away from those in need. Additionally, Hebrew slaves are to be set free after six years of service, and are to be given provisions for their journey. The Israelites are also instructed to sanctify the firstborn of their herds and sheep to the Lord, and to eat them in the place the Lord chooses, but not to sacrifice any that are blemished or deformed.
Chapter 16
The Israelites are instructed to observe the Passover in the month of new grain, commemorating their departure from Egypt, and to eat unleavened bread for seven days. They are also to celebrate the Feast of Weeks and the Feast of Tabernacles, offering voluntary oblations and feasting with their families and the Levites. All males are to appear before the Lord three times a year at these feasts, offering according to their means. Additionally, the Israelites are to appoint just judges and magistrates, avoiding favoritism and bribery, and to worship the Lord without idolatry or sacred groves.
Chapter 17
The Israelites are instructed not to offer defective animals as sacrifices to God, and to stone to death anyone who worships foreign gods. Disputes and difficult judgments are to be taken to the priests and judges at the place chosen by God, and their decisions are to be obeyed. A king, when appointed, must be chosen by God from among the Israelites, and he is not to multiply horses, have many wives, or accumulate wealth. The king is also to write and keep a copy of the law, reading it daily to learn to fear God and keep his commands.
Chapter 18
The Levites are to have no inheritance with the rest of Israel, as the Lord is their inheritance, and they are to receive portions of sacrifices and offerings from the people. A Levite may minister in any city in Israel, receiving the same portion of food as the other Levites. The Israelites are warned not to imitate the abominations of the nations they will displace, including occult practices and consulting the dead. The Lord will raise up a prophet from among the Israelites to speak his words, and the people are to listen to him, but any prophet who speaks falsely in the Lord's name will be put to death.
Chapter 19
The Israelites are instructed to set aside three cities of refuge, equally spaced, where those who have committed manslaughter can flee to avoid being killed by the victim's relatives. The cities are for those who have killed someone unintentionally, and the killer must remain in the city until the high priest's death. If the killer is found to have committed premeditated murder, they will be handed over to the victim's relative and put to death. The Israelites are also instructed to respect their neighbor's property boundaries, and to require two or three witnesses to establish guilt in a court of law. A false witness will be punished in the same way they intended to harm the accused.
Chapter 20
Before going into battle, the priest and officers are to encourage the soldiers and remind them that God is with them, and they should not be afraid. Those who have recently built a house, planted a vineyard, or become engaged are allowed to return home, as well as anyone who is overcome with fear. When approaching a city to fight, the Israelites are to offer peace first, and if the city refuses, they are to besiege it and kill all the males, but spare the women, children, and livestock. However, in cities that God has given to the Israelites as a possession, they are to kill everyone to prevent them from teaching the Israelites to commit abominations. When besieging a city, the Israelites are not to cut down fruit trees, but may use non-fruitful trees for other purposes.
Chapter 21
If a murdered body is found in a field and the killer is unknown, the elders of the nearest city must perform a ritual to atone for the bloodshed, involving the sacrifice of a calf and a declaration of innocence. If a soldier captures a woman during war and wants to marry her, he must allow her to mourn her family for a month before taking her as his wife. A man with multiple wives must give the firstborn son of the less favored wife a double portion of his inheritance. A rebellious son who refuses to obey his parents can be taken to the city elders and, if found guilty, stoned to death. A person who has been executed and hanged on a tree must be buried on the same day to avoid defiling the land.
Chapter 22
The passage outlines various laws and regulations, including the treatment of lost animals, the prohibition of cross-dressing, and the proper treatment of birds' nests. It also addresses building codes, agricultural practices, and the wearing of mixed fabrics. Additionally, the passage deals with marriage laws, including the consequences of false accusations of adultery, the punishment for adultery, and the rules for betrothal and marriage.
Chapter 23
Those who are physically mutilated, the offspring of prostitutes, and the Ammonites and Moabites are excluded from the assembly of the Lord. The Israelites are not to make peace with the Ammonites and Moabites, but they are to treat the Edomites and Egyptians with kindness. The Israelites are to maintain purity in their camp, including washing after nocturnal emissions and burying human waste. They are also to protect runaway slaves, prohibit prostitution, and not charge interest to fellow Israelites. Vows made to the Lord are to be kept promptly, and the Israelites are allowed to eat grapes and grain from their neighbors' fields, but not to carry any away.
Chapter 24
A man who divorces his wife cannot remarry her if she has married another man, even if that marriage ends in divorce or death. A newlywed man is exempt from military service and public office for one year to rejoice with his wife. The Israelites are instructed not to take certain items as collateral, such as millstones, and to treat the poor with kindness, including paying them promptly for their labor and not taking their garments as collateral. The Israelites are also reminded to care for the stranger, orphan, and widow, and to leave some of their harvest for them to gather.
Chapter 25
Judges are to render fair verdicts in disputes, and if a guilty party deserves physical punishment, they are to be beaten with a number of stripes proportionate to their offense, but not exceeding 40. An ox is not to be muzzled while working in the field, and a widow's brother-in-law is to marry her if her husband dies without children, to preserve the deceased brother's name. If the brother-in-law refuses, the widow is to publicly shame him by removing his shoe and spitting in his face. In a physical altercation between two men, if a woman intervenes by grabbing one of the men's private parts, her hand is to be cut off. The use of dishonest weights and measures is forbidden, and the Israelites are to remember the treachery of Amalek and ultimately destroy them when the Lord gives them rest in the promised land.
Chapter 26
When the Israelites enter the land God has given them, they are to take the first of their crops to the priest at the place God chooses, and declare their faithfulness to God's covenant. They are to recall their ancestors' journey from Syria to Egypt, their affliction, and God's deliverance. The Israelites are then to offer the first fruits of the land to God and celebrate with the Levites, new arrivals, orphans, and widows. Every third year, they are to give a tithe to these groups and declare their obedience to God's commandments, asking for God's blessing on the people and the land.
Chapter 27
Moses instructed the people to erect immense stones on Mount Ebal after crossing the Jordan, coat them with plaster, and write the words of the law on them. They were also to build an altar of uncut stones and offer sacrifices to the Lord. The people were divided into two groups, with six tribes standing on Mount Gerizim to bless the people and six on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses. The Levites then pronounced curses on those who disobeyed the law, including idolaters, those who dishonored their parents, and those who committed various forms of injustice.
Chapter 28
If the Israelites listen to God's voice and keep his commandments, they will be blessed with abundance, prosperity, and protection from their enemies. They will be exalted above all nations, and their enemies will fall before them. However, if they do not listen to God's voice and disobey his commandments, they will be cursed with famine, disease, and defeat by their enemies. They will be scattered among the nations, forced to serve foreign gods, and will suffer greatly. The curses will be so severe that they will be forced to eat their own children, and their lives will be filled with fear and dread. Ultimately, they will be led back into slavery in Egypt, where they will be sold as servants to their enemies.
Chapter 29
Moses reminded the Israelites of the covenant they made with God at Horeb and the miracles they witnessed in Egypt, but noted that God had not given them understanding hearts or seeing eyes. He recounted how God led them through the desert for 40 years, providing for them, and how they defeated Sihon and Og, taking their land. Moses then called the entire nation to stand before God and enter into a new covenant, warning them against idolatry and the consequences of breaking the covenant, which would include God's fury and the destruction of the land.
Chapter 30
The Lord will restore Israel from captivity and gather them from the nations if they return to Him with their whole heart and soul, obeying His commandments. He will bless them, making them greater in number than their fathers, and circumcise their hearts to love Him. The Lord will turn curses upon their enemies and cause them to abound in all things if they listen to His voice and keep His precepts. The commandment to love and obey the Lord is not far away, but near to them in their hearts, and they must choose life and blessing by loving and obeying Him.
Chapter 31
Moses, at 120 years old, informs the Israelites that he will not be able to cross the Jordan River with them, but God will go before them and destroy the nations in their path. Moses commissions Joshua to lead the people and divides the law among the priests and elders, instructing them to read it to the people every seven years. God appears to Moses and Joshua, warning that the Israelites will eventually turn to foreign gods and forsake their covenant with Him, leading to His wrath and abandonment. Moses writes a canticle, or song, as a testimony against the Israelites, and instructs the Levites to place the book of the law inside the ark of the covenant as a witness against them.
Chapter 32
Moses invokes heaven and earth to witness the words he is about to speak, proclaiming God's perfection, faithfulness, and justice. However, the people have sinned against God, and their actions are a perversion of His ways. Moses reminds them of their history, from the time God led them out of the desert to the present, and how they have abandoned God for idols. As a result, God will hide His face from them and bring judgment upon them, but He will also avenge the blood of His servants and show mercy to the land. The chapter concludes with Moses being instructed by God to ascend Mount Nebo, where he will see the Promised Land but not enter it due to his past disobedience.
Chapter 33
Moses blesses the tribes of Israel before his death, describing their unique qualities and strengths. He praises the Lord for his love and guidance, and asks for blessings and protection for each tribe. The blessings include prosperity, victory over enemies, and a special relationship with God. The chapter concludes with a declaration of Israel's uniqueness and God's protection and glory.
Chapter 34
Moses ascended Mount Nebo where God showed him the Promised Land, but told him he would not enter it. Moses died in Moab at the age of 120, and was buried in a valley, with the location of his grave remaining unknown. The Israelites mourned Moses for 30 days, after which Joshua, who had been given the spirit of wisdom by Moses, took his place as leader. Moses was a unique prophet, known for his face-to-face relationship with God and the many signs and wonders he performed.
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