Book of Deuteronomy
Fifth book of the Torah, containing Moses' final sermons and laws.
The Book of Deuteronomy is the fifth and final book of the Torah in Judaism, where it is called Devarim, and the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible and Christian Old Testament. It consists of three sermons or speeches delivered by Moses to the Israelites on the Plains of Moab shortly before they enter the Promised Land, followed by narratives of Moses' death. One of its most significant verses is Deuteronomy 6:4, the Shema Yisrael, described as the definitive statement of Jewish identity for theistic Jews. The first sermon recounts the forty years of wilderness wanderings and ends with an exhortation to observe the law. The second sermon reminds the Israelites that their possession of the land depends on following Yahweh and his laws. The third sermon offers comfort that, even if the nation is unfaithful and loses the land, repentance can restore it. The final four chapters include the Song of Moses, the Blessing of Moses, the transfer of leadership to Joshua, and Moses’ death on Mount Nebo. The Ten Commandments in chapter 5 serve as a blueprint for the rest of the book, with chapters 12–26, known as the Deuteronomic Code, providing an expanded exposition of these commandments. This code is the oldest part of the book and the core around which the rest developed, containing laws on worship, community leaders, social regulation, and confession of identity. Traditionally, God was believed to have dictated the Torah to Moses, but most modern scholars date Deuteronomy to the 7th–5th centuries BCE, likely authored by the Levite caste known as the Deuteronomist.
- field
- Religious text / Torah / Old Testament
- language
- Biblical Hebrew (Devarim); Ancient Greek (Deuteronómion); Latin (Liber Deuteronomii)
- traditional_author
- Moses (according to ancient Jewish tradition)
- modern_scholarly_dating
- 7th–5th centuries BCE
- key_verse
- Deuteronomy 6:4 (Shema Yisrael)
- oldest_section
- Chapters 12–26 (Deuteronomic Code)
Lore & Background
The Book of Deuteronomy is the fifth and final book of the Torah, the Hebrew Bible, and the Christian Old Testament. Its text, as preserved in ancient manuscripts like Papyrus Fouad 266 (a Greek Septuagint fragment), consists of three sermons or speeches attributed to Moses, delivered to the Israelites on the Plains of Moab just before entering the Promised Land. The first sermon recounts the forty years of wilderness wandering and exhorts observance of the law; the second emphasizes that possession of the land depends on following Yahweh and his teachings; the third offers comfort that repentance can restore the nation even after unfaithfulness. The final four chapters contain the Song of Moses, the Blessing of Moses, the transfer of leadership to Joshua, and the death of Moses on Mount Nebo. A defining characteristic is Deuteronomy 6:4, the Shema Yisrael, which declares “Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone”—a statement central to Jewish identity and quoted by Jesus in the New Testament. The book’s structure is often compared to ancient Near Eastern treaties, but it is not simply a treaty text; the Ten Commandments in chapter 5 serve as a blueprint, with chapters 12–26 forming the Deuteronomic Code, the oldest core of the book, detailing laws on worship, community leaders, social regulation, and loyalty. Modern scholars date Deuteronomy to the 7th–5th centuries BCE, rejecting traditional Mosaic authorship, and view its authors as the Levite caste known as the Deuteronomist, whose economic and social concerns the text reflects. The book’s final verses claim that no prophet like Moses has ever arisen, sealing the Deuteronomistic insistence on Yahweh as Israel’s sole deity.
Reader's Guide
The Book of Deuteronomy has been central to Jewish identity, particularly through the Shema Yisrael (Deuteronomy 6:4), which Jesus also quoted in Mark 12:28–34 as the Great Commandment. Traditionally attributed to Moses, virtually all modern secular scholars and most Christian and Jewish scholars date the book to the 7th–5th centuries BCE, with its authors likely the Levite caste known as the Deuteronomist. The historical background involves the discovery of a 'book of the law' in the Temple during King Josiah's reign, believed to be the Deuteronomic Code, which then shaped a reform of worship. During the Babylonian captivity, the book was expanded into a history of Israel, and after the Exile, chapters 1–4 and 29–30 were added, making it an introductory book about a people about to return to the land. Its final verses claim that no prophet like Moses has arisen since, sealing the Deuteronomistic view of theology.
Did You Know?
- The name Deuteronomy comes from the Ancient Greek Δευτερονόμιον, meaning 'second law'.
- The book's Hebrew name, Devarim, means '[the] words [of Moses]'.
- The Shema Yisrael in Deuteronomy 6:4 is considered the definitive statement of Jewish identity for theistic Jews.
- The Deuteronomic Code (chapters 12–26) is the oldest part of the book and was likely composed in the 7th century BCE.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Book of Deuteronomy?
It is the fifth and final book of the Torah, serving as the closing volume of the Hebrew Bible's first section. In Christian tradition it forms part of the Old Testament, while in Jewish tradition it is known by its Hebrew name, Devarim.
Who wrote the Book of Deuteronomy?
Ancient Jewish tradition attributes the text to Moses, presenting it as his final address to the Israelite people. Modern biblical scholarship, however, generally dates its composition to the 7th through 5th centuries BCE, with chapters 12–26 regarded as the oldest layer of the book.
What is the Shema and why is it central to Deuteronomy?
The Shema Yisrael, found in Deuteronomy 6:4, is widely regarded as the defining declaration of theistic Jewish identity, affirming the oneness of God. It has served as a daily recitation and foundational creed for Jews across millennia.
How is the Book of Deuteronomy structured?
The book is organized as three major sermons delivered by Moses to the Israelites on the Plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. These speeches are followed by narrative passages that conclude with the account of Moses' death.
Why is Deuteronomy considered important in both Judaism and Christianity?
In Judaism it closes the Torah and contains the Deuteronomic Code, a foundational collection of covenant laws in chapters 12–26. In Christianity it anchors the Old Testament's legal and narrative framework and has shaped ongoing theological discussions on covenant, law, and grace.
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