Bible Commentaries

Deuteronomy 31-34. Moses' last words and the closing events of his life. The narrative parts (based on JE and in part on P) resemble chs. 1-3, and are probably by the same author or compiler. Deuteronomy 32:1-4 (the Song of Moses) and Deuteronomy 33 (the Blessing of Moses) are independent pieces of unknown origin.

Deuteronomy 31-34. Moses' last words and the closing events of his life. The narrative parts (based on JE and in part on P) resemble chs. 1-3, and are probably by the same author or compiler. Deuteronomy 32:1-4 (the Song of Moses) and Deuteronomy 33 (the Blessing of Moses) are independent pieces of unknown origin.

Deuteronomy 31:1-8. See RV refs. for parallel passages.

Deuteronomy 31:1. Read (with LXX), "And when Moses had finished speaking these words," etc.

Deuteronomy 31:7. go with: read (with Sam. Syr., Vulg., and two Heb. MSS), "bring," as in Deuteronomy 31:23.

Deuteronomy 31:9-13. Part of D according to Kuenen, Dillmann, etc. It is this law (D) which is to be read at Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:13-15) and septennially in the year of release (Deuteronomy 15:1 ff.*).

Deuteronomy 31:11. appear before: Deuteronomy 16:16*.

Deuteronomy 31:12. See Deuteronomy 29:11.

Deuteronomy 31:13. children: Deuteronomy 4:9*.—your: read (with five MSS., Sam., Syr., Vulg.), "their."

Deuteronomy 31:14 f., Deuteronomy 31:23 (JE). Cf. Numbers 27:22 f. (P): two accounts of the appointment of Joshua to succeed Moses. See Deuteronomy 1:37, Deuteronomy 32:1 f. for a third version.

Deuteronomy 31:16-30. Introduction to Moses' Song.—In Deuteronomy 31:16-22 Yahweh tells Moses of what will happen after his death.

Deuteronomy 31:16. sleep with thy fathers: Genesis 47:30.—whoring: Exodus 34:16 (cf. Ezekiel 6:9). Temple prostitution (Deuteronomy 23:17 f.*) is hardly meant.

Deuteronomy 31:21. Read (with Sam., LXX, Syr.), "sware to their fathers."

Deuteronomy 31:24; Deuteronomy 31:26. this law: read with Staerk, Steuernagel, Bertholet, "this song." The entire section (Deuteronomy 31:16-30) forms the prologue to the song of Deuteronomy 32:1-43. If we retain the Matthew , 24-26 essentially repeats 9.

Deuteronomy 31:25. Levites: Deuteronomy 10:8*.

Deuteronomy 31:28. these words: i.e. the song (Deuteronomy 32:1 ff.).