Deuteronomy

The speeches of Moses

Deuteronomy gathers Moses’ final speeches before Israel enters Canaan. It repeats and explains the Law, calls the people to faithfulness and ends with Moses’ death.

Historical context

Jewish and Christian tradition attributes the first five books of the Bible to Moses. Many scholars think they gathered older traditions and reached their final form around the exile and after it (6th–5th centuries BC).

Explanation

Best-known passages

The Ten Commandments repeated (ch. 5)
The Shema: “Hear, O Israel” (ch. 6)
Blessings and curses (ch. 28)
The death of Moses (ch. 34)