Bible Commentaries

these words. The Massorah itself, with Targum of Onkelos, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "all these words". This is the beginning of the seventh address, which ends with Deuteronomy 31:6.

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

the LORD = Jehovah. Note the Figure of speech Epanadiplosis (App-6) in this verse, which in the Hebrew text begins and ends with "Jehovah".

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4.

as = according as. Compare the references to past statements: Deuteronomy 2:9; Deuteronomy 3:28. Exodus 23:20, Exodus 23:23; Exodus 33:2. Numbers 27:15-23.

And the LORD (Hebrew. Jehovah. Note Figure of speech Anadiplosis (App-6) in verses: Deuteronomy 31:4, Deuteronomy 31:5, each beginning with these words.

Be strong, &c. Compare verses: Deuteronomy 31:7, Deuteronomy 31:23. Joshua 1:6, Joshua 1:9, Joshua 1:18; Joshua 10:25. 1 Chronicles 22:13; 1 Chronicles 28:20. 2 Chronicles 32:7. Isaiah 35:3, Isaiah 35:4.

He will not fail, &c. Compare Deuteronomy 4:31. Joshua 1:5. 1 Chronicles 28:20. See note on Deuteronomy 4:31. This is the end of Moses" seventh address.

go with = bring in.

wrote. See note on Exodus 17:14.

the priests, &c. = the Kohathites. Numbers 4:1-15.

At the end, &c. Compare Deuteronomy 15:1.

solemnity = appointed time. Hebrew. mo"ed.

year of release. So called in Deuteronomy 15:9. The "release" is referred to in Deuteronomy 15:1, Deuteronomy 15:2, Deuteronomy 15:3. The noun "release" occurs only in these two passages. The verb occurs in Exodus 23:11.

tabernacles = booths.

to appear. See note on Exodus 23:15 with Exodus 34:20.

read this law. Compare Deuteronomy 16:13-15, and see Nehemiah 8:1-18.

children = little ones.

children = sons.

your God. A special various reading called Sevir (App-34), with some codices and four early printed editions, read "their God".

as long as = all the days.

said. See note on Deuteronomy 2:9.

tabernacle = tent. Hebrew. "ohel. App-40. The only reference to it in Deuteronomy.

pillar of a cloud. The only reference to it in Deuteronomy.

door = entrance.

shalt sleep with thy fathers = shalt lie down to sleep. A beautiful Euphemism (App-6) for death. This is the first occurrence. It is used alike of good people and evil: of Ahab as well as David; of all the kings, even Jehoiakim, who had no burial. See 2 Samuel 7:12. 1 Kings 1:21; 1 Kings 2:10; 1 Kings 11:21, 1 Kings 11:43; 1 Kings 14:20, 1 Kings 14:31; 1 Kings 15:8, 1 Kings 15:24; 1 Kings 16:6, 1 Kings 16:28; 1 Kings 22:40, 1 Kings 22:50; 2 Kings 8:24; 2 Kings 10:35; 2 Kings 13:9, 2 Kings 13:13; 2 Kings 14:16, 2 Kings 14:22, 2 Kings 14:29; 2 Kings 15:7, 2 Kings 15:22, 2 Kings 15:38; 2 Kings 16:20; 2 Kings 20:21; 2 Kings 21:18; 2 Kings 24:6. 2 Chronicles 9:31; 2 Chronicles 12:16; 2 Chronicles 14:1; 2 Chronicles 16:13; 2 Chronicles 21:1; 2 Chronicles 26:2, 2 Chronicles 26:23; 2 Chronicles 27:9; 2 Chronicles 28:27; 2 Chronicles 32:33; 2 Chronicles 33:20.

go a whoring. The constant idiom for idolatry.

shall be kindled. Compare 2 Kings 22:17. Hosea 5:3-6. Micah 3:4.

hide My face. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Targum of Onkelos, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, and Syriac, add "from them". Compare Deuteronomy 32:20. Isaiah 8:17; Isaiah 54:8; Isaiah 59:2; Isaiah 64:7. See also Genesis 4:14.

evils. See App-44.

befall = find. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia (App-6).

Are not. ? &c. Should be "Have not these evils found me out, because my God is not in my midst? "

this song. First reference to the "Song of Moses". See Deut 32. The last in Revelation 15:3.

teach it. To be both written and taught. Compare Deuteronomy 31:22.

into the land = on to the soil. Hebrew. "adamah.

this song. Second mention of this Song.

testify against = answer them to their face.

not be forgotten. This song quoted and referred to more than any other part of Pentateuch.

I sware. The Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, and Syriac add "unto their fathers".

this song. The third reference to it.

He: i.e. Jehovah.

in a book. See App-47. This was the "book" found by Hilkiah. 2 Kings 22:8. 2 Chronicles 34:14.

the Levites = Kohathites, Deuteronomy 31:9.

this book of the law. See the effect of finding it by Jeremiah's father, 2 Kings 22:8, and note the references to it in verses: Deuteronomy 31:13, Deuteronomy 31:16, Deuteronomy 31:17. Compare also 2 Kings 23:1-3 with Deuteronomy 29:1; and Deuteronomy 31:21 with Deuteronomy 16:1-8; and Deuteronomy 31:24 with Deuteronomy 18:10, Deuteronomy 18:11 ("put away" occurs only in Deut.); and Deuteronomy 31:25 with Deuteronomy 30:10.

in, or by.

heaven and earth. One of the thirteen occurrences. See note on Deuteronomy 4:26.

I know. Compare Acts 20:28, Acts 20:29.

the latter days. Compare Genesis 49:1 (Numbers 24:14). Used by Moses, Deuteronomy 4:39. Found also in Jeremiah 23:20; Jeremiah 48:47; Jeremiah 49:39. Ezekiel 38:16. Hosea 3:5. Micah 4:1.

the work, &c, viz., idolatry and other evils.

Moses spake. Beginning of his eighth address.

this song. The fourth reference to it. It is the key to the Apocalypse, Revelation 15:3. See note on Exodus 15:1.