Deuteronomy 31
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
MOSES ENCOURAGES THE PEOPLE AND JOSHUA. (Deu 31:1-8) Moses went and spake--It is probable that this rehearsal of the law extended over several successive days; and it might be the last and most important day on which the return of Moses to the place of assembly is specially noticed. In drawing his discourse towards a conclusion, he adverted to his advanced age; and although neither his physical nor intellectual powers had suffered any decay (Deu 34:7), yet he knew, by a special revelation, that the time had arrived when he was about to be withdrawn from the superintendence and government of Israel.
Open source ↗And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel. The following words, even to the whole body of the people summoned together on this occasion. It seems that after Moses had made the covenant with them he was directed to, he dismissed the people to their tents, and went to his own, and now returned, having ordered them to meet him again, very probably at the tabernacle; with which agrees the Targum of Jonathan, he"went to the tabernacle of the house of doctrine;''though, according to Aben Ezra, he went to the each tribes separately, as they lay encamped; his words are these,"he went to every tribe and tribe, to acquaint them that he was about to die, and that they might not be afraid, and to strengthen their hearts;''he adds,"in my opinion he then blessed them, though their blessings are afterwards written;''which is not improbable. And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel. The following words, even to the whole body of the people summoned together on this occasion. It seems that after Moses had made the covenant with them he was directed to, he dismissed the people to their tents, and went to his own, and now returned, having ordered them to meet him again, very probably at the tabernacle; with which agrees the Targum of Jonathan, he"went to the tabernacle of the house of doctrine;''though, according to Aben Ezra, he went to the each tribes separately, as they lay encamped; his words are these,"he went to every tribe and tribe, to acquaint them that he was about to die, and that they might not be afraid, and to strengthen their hearts;''he adds,"in my opinion he then blessed them, though their blessings are afterwards written;''which is not improbable. Deuteronomy 31:2 deu 31:2 deu 31:2 deu 31:2And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old…
Open source ↗Deu 31:1-13 describe how Moses promised the help of the Lord in the conquest of the land, both to the people generally, and also to Joshua, their leader into Canaan (Deu 31:2-8), and commanded the priests to keep the book of the law, and read it publicly every seventh year (Deu 31:9-13); and Deu 31:14-23, how the Lord appeared to Moses before the tabernacle, and directed him to compose an ode as a testimony against the apostasy of the people, and promised Joshua His assistance. And lastly, Deu 31:24-27 relate how the book of the law, when brought to completion, was handed over to the Levites; and Deu 31:28-30 describe the reading of the ode to the people. Deu 31:1-8 In Deu 31:1 Moses' final arrangements are announced. ויּלך does not mean "he went away" (into his tent), which does not tally with what follows ("and spake"); nor is it merely equivalent to porro, amplius. It serves, as in Exo 2:1 and Gen 35:22, as a pictorial description of what he was about to do, in the sense of "he prepared himself," or rose up. After closing the exposition of the law, Moses had either withdrawn, or at any rate made a pause, before he proceeded to make his final arrangements for laying down his office, and taking leave of the people. Deu 31:2 These last arrangements he commences with the declaration, that he must now bid them farewell, as he is 120 years old (which agrees with Exo 7:7), and can no more go out and in, i.e., no longer work in the nation and for it (see at Num 27:17); and the Lord has forbidden him to cross over the Jordan and enter Canaan (see Num 20:24). The first of these reasons is not at variance with the statement in Deu 34:7, that up to the time of his death his eyes were not dim, nor his strength abated. For this is merely an affirmation, that he retained the abilit…
Open source ↗Loth to part (we say) bids oft farewell. Moses does so to the children of Israel: not because he was loth to go to God, but because he was loth to leave them, fearing that when he had left them they would leave God. He had finished what he had to say to them by way of counsel and exhortation: here he calls them together to give them a word of encouragement, especially with reference to the wars of Canaan, in which they were now to engage. It was a discouragement to them that Moses was to be removed at a time when he could so ill be spared: though Joshua was continued to fight for them in the valley, they would want Moses to intercede for them on the hill, as he did, Exo 17:10. But there is no remedy: Moses can no more go out and come in, Deu 31:2. Not that he was disabled by any decay either of body or mind; for his natural force was not abated, Deu 24:7. But he cannot any longer discharge his office; for, 1. He is 120 years old, and it is time for him to think of resigning his honour and returning to his rest. He that had arrived at so great an age then, when seventy or eighty was the ordinary stint, as appears by the prayer of Moses (Psa 90:10), might well think that he had accomplished as a hireling his day. 2. He is under a divine sentence: Thou shalt not go over Jordan. Thus a full stop was put to his usefulness; hitherto he must go, hitherto he must serve, but no further. So God had appointed it and Moses acquiesces: for I know not why we should any of us desire to live a day longer than while God has work for us to do; nor shall we be accountable for more time than is allotted us. But, though Moses must not go over himself, he is anxious to encourage those that must. I. He encourages the people; and never could any general animate his soldiers upon such good grou…
Open source ↗31:1-29 For covenant documents to have abiding authority and relevance, they must be kept perpetually in a place where both parties could have easy access to them. The book of Deuteronomy had to be preserved for future reference so that Israel would always be reminded to submit to the Lord’s sovereignty. 31:1-8 Moses’ impending death meant that his role as covenant administrator would soon be over. Joshua had to be properly and publicly introduced as his successor with the same authority. 31:1 Based on the context, these instructions refers to all of Deuteronomy (see 1:1).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… יָכֹל (yâkôl, H3201) — to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might) יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine
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… עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… שָׁמַד (shâmad, H8045) — to desolate גּוֹי (gôwy, H1471) — a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight… יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by… יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ, H3091) — Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application סִיחוֹן (Çîychôwn, H5511) — Sichon, an Amoritish king עוֹג (ʻÔwg, H5747) — Og, a king of Bashan מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king אֱמֹרִי (ʼĔmôrîy, H567) — an Emorite, one of the Canaanitish tribes אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) שָׁמַד (shâmad, H8045) — to desolate
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin
Open source ↗חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… אָמַץ (ʼâmats, H553) — to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage) יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten עָרַץ (ʻârats, H6206) — to awe or (intransitive) to dread; hence, to harass פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… 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… הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) רָפָה (râphâh, H7503) — to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative) עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc.
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ, H3091) — Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity חָזַק (châzaq, H2388) — to fasten upon; hence, to seize, be strong (figuratively, courageous, causatively… אָמַץ (ʼâmats, H553) — to be alert, physically (on foot) or mentally (in courage) בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) 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
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God הָלַךְ (hâlak, H1980) — to walk (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… רָפָה (râphâh, H7503) — to slacken (in many applications, literal or figurative) עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten חָתַת (châthath, H2865) — properly, to prostrate; hence, to break down, either (literally) by violence, or…
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver כָּתַב (kâthab, H3789) — to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe) תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) כֹּהֵן (kôhên, H3548) — literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a… בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… לֵוִי (Lêvîy, H3878) — Levi, a son of Jacob נָשָׂא (nâsâʼ, H5375) — to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative אָרוֹן (ʼârôwn, H727) — a box בְּרִית (bᵉrîyth, H1285) — a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God זָקֵן (zâqên, H2205) — old יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) קֵץ (qêts, H7093) — an extremity; adverbially (with prepositional prefix) after שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;… שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… שְׁמִטָּה (shᵉmiṭṭâh, H8059) — remission (of debt) or suspension of labor) חַג (chag, H2282) — a festival, or a victim therefor סֻכָּה (çukkâh, H5521) — a hut or lair
Open source ↗יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity בּוֹא (bôwʼ, H935) — to go or come (in a wide variety of applications) רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… 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… מָקוֹם (mâqôwm, H4725) — properly, a standing, i.e. a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific);… בָּחַר (bâchar, H977) — properly, to try, i.e. (by implication) select קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… תּוֹרָה (tôwrâh, H8451) — a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch אֹזֶן (ʼôzen, H241) — broadness. i.e. (concrete) the ear (from its form in man)
Open source ↗קָהַל (qâhal, H6950) — to convoke עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… אֱנוֹשׁ (ʼĕnôwsh, H582) — a man in general (singly or collectively) אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman טַף (ṭaph, H2945) — a family (mostly used collectively in the singular) גֵּר (gêr, H1616) — properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner שַׁעַר (shaʻar, H8179) — an opening, i.e. door or gate שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… לָמַד (lâmad, H3925) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive) יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten 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… שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… לָמַד (lâmad, H3925) — properly, to goad, i.e. (by implication) to teach (the rod being an Oriental incentive) יָרֵא (yârêʼ, H3372) — to fear; morally, to revere; caus. to frighten 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… יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… חַי (chay, H2416) — alive; hence, raw (flesh); fresh (plant, water, year), strong; also (as noun, especially… אֲדָמָה (ʼădâmâh, H127) — soil (from its general redness) עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,… יַרְדֵּן (Yardên, H3383) — Jarden, the principal river of Palestine יָרַשׁ (yârash, H3423) — to occupy (by driving out previous tenants, and possessing in their place); by…
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… קָרַב (qârab, H7126) — to approach (causatively, bring near) for whatever purpose מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill קָרָא (qârâʼ, H7121) — to call out to (i.e. properly, address by name, but used in a wide variety of… יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ, H3091) — Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader יָצַב (yâtsab, H3320) — to place (any thing so as to stay); reflexively, to station, offer, continue אֹהֶל (ʼôhel, H168) — a tent (as clearly conspicuous from a distance) מוֹעֵד (môwʻêd, H4150) — properly, an appointment, i.e. a fixed time or season; specifically, a festival;… צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses)
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