Deuteronomy 1
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Commentaries
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Deuteronomy 1:1 MOSES' SPEECH AT THE END OF THE FORTIETH YEAR. (Deu. 1:1-46) These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel--The mental condition of the people generally in that infantine age of the Church, and the greater number of them being of young or tender years, rendered it expedient to repeat the laws and counsels which God had given. Accordingly, to furnish a recapitulation of the leading branches of their faith and duty was among the last public services which Moses rendered to Israel. The scene of their delivery was on the plains of Moab where the encampment was pitched on this side Jordan--or, as the Hebrew word may be rendered "on the bank of the Jordan." in the wilderness, in the plain--the Arabah, a desert plain, or steppe, extended the whole way from the Red Sea north to the Sea of Tiberias. While the high tablelands of Moab were "cultivated fields," the Jordan valley, at the foot of the mountains where Israel was encamped, was a part of the great desert plain, little more inviting than the desert of Arabia. The locale is indicated by the names of the most prominent places around it. Some of these places are unknown to us. The Hebrew word, Suph, "red" (for "sea," which our translators have inserted, is not in the original, and Moses was now farther from the Red Sea than ever), probably meant a place noted for its reeds (Num 21:14). Tophel--identified as Tafyle or Tafeilah, lying between Bozrah and Kerak. Hazeroth--is a different place from that at which the Israelites encamped after leaving "the desert of Sinai."
Open source ↗These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel,.... Not what are related in the latter part of the preceding book, but what follow in this; and which were spoken by him, not to the whole body of the people gathered together to hear him, which they could not do without a miracle; but to the heads of the people, the representatives of them, who were convened to hear what he had to say, in order to communicate it to the people; unless we can suppose that Moses at different times to several parties of them delivered the same things, until they had all heard them: on this side Jordan; before the passage of the Israelites over it to the land of Canaan; for Moses never went in thither, and therefore it must be the tract which the Greeks call Persea, and which with respect to the Israelites when in the land of Canaan is called "beyond Jordan", for here now Moses was; and the children of Israel had been here with him a considerable time in the wilderness, the vast wilderness of Arabia, which reached hither: in the plain; the plains of Moab, between Bethjeshimoth and. Abelshittim, where the Israelites had lain encamped for some time, and had not as yet removed; see Num 33:49. over against the Red sea: the word "sea" is not in the text, nor is there anything in it which answers to "Red"; it should be rendered "opposite Suph", which seems to be the name of a place in Moab, not far from the plains of it, and perhaps is the same with Suphah in Num 21:14 for from the Red sea they were at a considerable distance: between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab; these are names of places which were the boundaries and limits of the plains of Moab, or lay very near them; for Paran cannot be understood of the Wilderness of Paran, which was too remote, but a city or to…
Open source ↗Deu 1:1-4 contain the heading to the whole book; and to this the introduction to the first address is appended in Deu 1:5. By the expression, "These be the words," etc., Deuteronomy is attached to the previous books; the word "these," which refers to the addresses that follow, connects what follows with what goes before, just as in Gen 2:4; Gen 6:9, etc. The geographical data in Deu 1:1 present no little difficulty; for whilst the general statement as to the place where Moses delivered the addresses in this book, viz., beyond Jordan, is particularized in the introduction to the second address (Deu 4:46), as "in the valley over against Beth-Peor," here it is described as "in the wilderness, in the Arabah," etc. This contrast between the verse before us and Deu 4:45-46, and still more the introduction of the very general and loose expression, "in the desert," which is so little adapted for a geographical definition of the locality, that it has to be defined itself by the additional words "in the Arabah," suggest the conclusion that the particular names introduced are not intended to furnish as exact a geographical account as possible of the spot where Moses explained the law to all Israel, but to call up to view the scene of the addresses which follow, and point out the situation of all Israel at that time. Israel was "in the desert," not yet in Canaan the promised inheritance, and in fact "in the Arabah." This is the name given to the deep low-lying plain on both sides of the Jordan, which runs from the Lake of Gennesaret to the Dead Sea, and stretches southwards from the Dead Sea to Aila, at the northern extremity of the Red Sea, as we may see very clearly from Deu 2:8, where the way which the Israelites took past Edom to Aila is called the "way of the Arabah," and also…
Open source ↗We have here, I. The date of this sermon which Moses preached to the people of Israel. A great auditory, no question, he had, as many as could crowd within hearing, and particularly all the elders and officers, the representatives of the people; and, probably, it was on the sabbath day that he delivered this to them. 1. The place were they were now encamped was in the plain, in the land of Moab (Deu 1:1, Deu 1:5), where they were just ready to enter Canaan, and engage in a war with the Canaanites. Yet he discourses not to them concerning military affairs, the arts and stratagems of war, but concerning their duty to God; for, if they kept themselves in his fear and favour, he would secure to them the conquest of the land: their religion would be their best policy. 2. The time was near the end of the fortieth year since they came out of Egypt. So long God had borne their manners, and they had borne their own iniquity (Num 14:34), and now that a new and more pleasant scene was to be introduced, as a token for good, Moses repeats the law to them. Thus, after God's controversy with them on account of the golden calf, the first and surest sign of God's being reconciled to them was the renewing of the tables. There is no better evidence and earnest of God's favour than his putting his law in our hearts, Psa 147:19, Psa 147:20. II. The discourse itself. In general, Moses spoke unto them all that the Lord had given him in commandment (Deu 1:3), which intimates, not only that what he now delivered was for substance the same with what had formerly been commanded, but that it was what God now commanded him to repeat. He gave them this rehearsal and exhortation purely by divine direction; God appointed him to leave this legacy to the church. He begins his narrative with their remova…
Open source ↗1:1-5 Ancient Near Eastern treaty texts usually began with a brief section introducing the partners in the covenant, their relationship to each other, and their immediate ancestry. This introduction provides information primarily about the social and geographic setting. 1:1 These are the words that Moses spoke: Although Deuteronomy is modeled after a covenant or treaty document, it is essentially a series of addresses delivered by Moses to the assembly of Israel. • the Jordan Valley: Hebrew the Arabah, a common word usually translated “wilderness” or “desert.” It generally refers to the Great Rift Valley that extends from the Sea of Galilee southward to the Red Sea (the Gulf of Aqaba). In this context, the Arabah is the wasteland of the lower Jordan River, just north of the Dead Sea.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עֵבֶר (ʻêber, H5676) — properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on… יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine מִדְבָּר (midbâr, H4057) — a pasture (i.e. open field, whither cattle are driven); by implication, a desert; also… עֲרָבָה (ʻărâbâh, H6160) — a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the… מוּל (mûwl, H4136) — properly, abrupt, i.e. a precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially… סוּף (Çûwph, H5489) — the Reed (Sea) פָּארָן (Pâʼrân, H6290) — Paran, a desert of Arabia תֹּפֶל (Tôphel, H8603) — Tophel, a place near the Desert לָבָן (Lâbân, H3837) — Laban, a Mesopotamian; also a place in the Desert חֲצֵרוֹת (Chătsêrôwth, H2698) — Chatseroth, a place in Palestine
Open source ↗אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… חֹרֵב (Chôrêb, H2722) — Choreb, a (generic) name for the Sinaitic mountains דֶּרֶךְ (derek, H1870) — a road (as trodden); figuratively, a course of life or mode of action, often adverb הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) שֵׂעִיר (Sêʻîyr, H8165) — Seir, a mountain of Idumaea and its aboriginal occupants, also one in Palestine קָדֵשׁ בַּרְנֵעַ (Qâdêsh Barnêaʻ, H6947) — Kadesh-Barnea, a place in the Desert
Open source ↗אַרְבָּעִים (ʼarbâʻîym, H705) — forty שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) עַשְׁתֵּי (ʻashtêy, H6249) — eleven or (ordinal) eleventh עָשָׂר (ʻâsâr, H6240) — ten (only in combination), i.e. -teen; also (ordinal) -teenth חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month אֶחָד (ʼechâd, H259) — properly, united, i.e. one; or (as an ordinal) first מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin
Open source ↗אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various… נָכָה (nâkâh, H5221) — to strike (lightly or severely, literally or figuratively) סִיחוֹן (Çîychôwn, H5511) — Sichon, an Amoritish king מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֱמֹרִי (ʼĔmôrîy, H567) — an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… חֶשְׁבּוֹן (Cheshbôwn, H2809) — Cheshbon, a place East of the Jordan עוֹג (ʻÔwg, H5747) — Og, a king of Bashan בָּשָׁן (Bâshân, H1316) — Bashan (often with the article), a region East of the Jordan עַשְׁתָּרוֹת (ʻAshtârôwth, H6252) — Ashtaroth, the name of a Sidonian deity, and of a place East of the Jordan אֶדְרֶעִי (ʼedreʻîy, H154) — Edrei, the name of two places in Palestine
Open source ↗עֵבֶר (ʻêber, H5676) — properly, a region across; but used only adverbially (with or without a preposition) on… יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants יָאַל (yâʼal, H2974) — properly, to yield, especially assent; hence (pos.) to undertake as an act of volition מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver בָּאַר (bâʼar, H874) — to dig; by analogy, to engrave; figuratively, to explain תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… חֹרֵב (Chôrêb, H2722) — Choreb, a (generic) name for the Sinaitic mountains אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to… רַב (rab, H7227) — abundant (in quantity, size, age, number, rank, quality) הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
Open source ↗פָּנָה (pânâh, H6437) — to turn; by implication, to face, i.e. appear, look, etc. נָסַע (nâçaʻ, H5265) — properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e. start on ajourney בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) אֱמֹרִי (ʼĔmôrîy, H567) — an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes שָׁכֵן (shâkên, H7934) — a resident; by extension, a fellow-citizen עֲרָבָה (ʻărâbâh, H6160) — a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the… שְׁפֵלָה (shᵉphêlâh, H8219) — Lowland, i.e. (with the article) the maritime slope of Palestine נֶגֶב (negeb, H5045) — the south (from its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah,… יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the… חוֹף (chôwph, H2348) — a cove (as a sheltered bay) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) כְּנַעַנִי (Kᵉnaʻanîy, H3669) — a Kenaanite or inhabitant of Kenaan; by implication, a pedlar (the Canaanites standing… לְבָנוֹן (Lᵉbânôwn, H3844) — Lebanon, a mountain range in Palestine
Open source ↗רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אַבְרָהָם (ʼAbrâhâm, H85) — Abraham, the later name of Abram יִצְחָק (Yitschâq, H3327) — Jitschak (or Isaac), son of Abraham יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity אַחַר (ʼachar, H310) — properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various…
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עֵת (ʻêth, H6256) — time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc. יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative בַּד (bad, H905) — properly, separation; by implication, a part of the body, branch of atree, bar…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… רָבָה (râbâh, H7235) — to increase (in whatever respect) יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… כּוֹכָב (kôwkâb, H3556) — a star (as round or as shining); figuratively, a prince שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… רֹב (rôb, H7230) — abundance (in any respect)
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… פַּעַם (paʻam, H6471) — a stroke, literally or figuratively (in various applications, as follow) יָסַף (yâçaph, H3254) — to add or augment (often adverbial, to continue to do a thing) בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a…
Open source ↗אֵיךְ (ʼêyk, H349) — how? or how!; also where נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative טֹרַח (ṭôrach, H2960) — a burden מַשָּׂא (massâʼ, H4853) — a burden; specifically, tribute, or (abstractly) porterage; figuratively, an utterance,… רִיב (rîyb, H7379) — a contest (personal or legal)
Open source ↗יָהַב (yâhab, H3051) — to give (whether literal or figurative); generally, to put; imperatively (reflexive) come חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) בִּין (bîyn, H995) — to separate mentally (or distinguish), i.e.(generally) understand יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… שֵׁבֶט (shêbeṭ, H7626) — a scion, i.e. (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking,… שׂוּם (sûwm, H7760) — to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of…
Open source ↗עָנָה (ʻânâh, H6030) — properly, to eye or (generally) to heed, i.e. pay attention; by implication, to respond;… אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… טוֹב (ṭôwb, H2896) — good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
When Samuel died, all Israel gathered to mourn for him; and they buried him at his home in Ramah. Then David set out and went down to the Wilderness of Paran.
(To the half-tribe of Manasseh Moses had given land in Bashan, and to the other half Joshua gave land on the west side of the Jordan among their brothers.) When Joshua sent them to their homes he blessed them,
Select three cities across the Jordan and three in the land of Canaan as cities of refuge.
and the Israelites set out from the Wilderness of Sinai, traveling from place to place until the cloud settled in the Wilderness of Paran.
And now that the LORD your God has given your brothers rest as He promised them, you may return to your homes in the land that Moses the servant of the LORD gave you across the Jordan.
We will cross over into the land of Canaan armed before the LORD, that we may have our inheritance on this side of the Jordan.”
Now when news of this reached all the kings west of the Jordan—those in the hill country, the foothills, and all along the coast of the Great Sea toward Lebanon (the Hittites, Amorites, Canaanites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites)—
These two and a half tribes have received their inheritance across the Jordan from Jericho, toward the sunrise.”
From Kibroth-hattaavah the people moved on to Hazeroth, where they remained for some time.
And while he was dwelling in the Wilderness of Paran, his mother got a wife for him from the land of Egypt.