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Names of the Book

MOSES VIEWING THE PROMISED LAND- Frederick Edwin Church

English:  Deuteronomy
Hebrew:  דברים
Transliterated:  Devarim ("Words")
Other names:   

 

whoWho

Wrote the book:  Moses
Are the key people:  Moses, Aaron, Joshua
Is it written to:  The people of Israel

 

whatWhat

The LORD and the reminder of what He has done for Israel (Deuteronomy 1:1-4:43)
The Law and G-d's standard for holy living (Deuteronomy 4:44-26:68)
The Call to a life of holiness (Deuteronomy 29:1-30:20)
The Leadership is transferred to Yehoshua (Deuteronomy 31:1-34:12)

 

whenWhen

Was it written:  c 1450-1410 BCE
Did the events occur:  c 1437-1436 BCE
Was it canonized:  c 499-100 BCE
(see the Timeline of the Tanakh)

 

whereWhere

Was it written:  On the plains of Moav near Yericho (Deuteronomy 31:9)
Did the events occur:  The wilderness of Moab, the Land of Canaan, and Mt. Nebo

 

whyWhy

Deuteronomy was written to inform us that:
G-d is merciful.
G-d requires holy lives from His people.
G-d calls us to serve Him and live for Him.

 

whyIntroduction

Deuteronomy is a narrative that includes both history and law.  Deuteronomy means "second law" and it is the recounting (the "second giving") of G-d's Law from Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers that provides this name.  The book includes Moses' farewell message to a new generation of Israelites as they prepare to take possession of the Promised Land. Moses reminds them of G-d's faithfulness and love, but also of God's wrath on the previous generation of Israelites because of their rebellion. Moses repeatedly charges Israel to keep G-d's Law. The words of this book provide a solemn call to love and obey the one true G-d and outlines blessings for faithfulness and curses for unfaithfulness. The book concludes with the selection of Joshua as Israel's new leader and the death of Moses.

 

 

Torah Portion

unknown

 

 

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Today is

Yom Sh'lishi, 9 Adar II, 5784

Tuesday, March 19, 2024

 

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