Deuteronomy is last in the section of the Hebrew Bible called the Torah (i.e. The Law) which is the first five books of the Hebrew scriptures also known as the Pentateuch, or The Books of Moses. Moses foreshadowed the Messiah in many ways: prophet, lawgiver, mediator, and deliverer, and this book shows another one, which is that he died before the kingdom was fully established. The name English name Deuteronomy comes from the Septuagint's Ancient Greek title for the book Deuteronmion, meaning second law or repeated law. This name is derived from a Hebrew title for the book, Mishneh Torah which in turn comes from Deuteronomy 17:18.

The interlinear of Deuteronomy 17:18 below is taken from ISA Basic which uses the Westminster Leningrad Codex with vowels.

The Hebrew word mishneh (actually mishne in the extract above) is used by Moses in that extract to command the kings to make a copy of the law, Hebrew the Torah (e·thure in the extract above). But Deuteronomy goes far beyond making a simple copy of the Law. The book actually restates the Law in the spirit of what Moses said that he would do in Deuteronomy 1:5. This second law is actually a series of Moses' sermons in which he restated God's commands originally given to the Israelites some forty years earlier in Exodus and Leviticus and clarifies some challenging areas. It is his goodbye gift to Israel.

In the section of the Hebrew Bible called the Torah (i.e. The Law), the book’s translated title is the Words from Devarim (Hebrew: דְּבָרִים‎, Dəḇārīm, '[the] words [of Moses]'), distilled from the initial phrase of chapter 1: These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan. The narrative within the book presents Moses repeating sections of the previous four books and interpreting them for the Israelites as they camp on the plains of Moab, preparing to conquer the promised land. The book begins, These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel. . . , Deuteronomy 1:1. Deuteronomy maintains that Moses was the author (1:1; 4:44; 29:1). God referred to the Torah (which is comprised of Deuteronomy and the previous four books) as this book of the law that Moses commanded (Joshua 1:8). When Old Testament and New Testament writers quoted from Deuteronomy, they often referred to it as originating with Moses (1 Kings 2:3; 2 Kings 14:6; Ezra 3:2; Nehemiah 1:7; Malachi 4:4; Matthew 19:7).

In my opinion the speeches were actually written by Moses’ hand and passed on to the Levites, And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,[25] That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,[26] Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.[27] For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?, Deuteronomy 31:24-27 (KJV). Notice that Moses gave it to the Levites not the priests. They were told to place it beside the Ark of the Covenant so they did not have to interfere with the Ark. The Levites made minor additions for completeness. For instance, Moses could not have written the final chapter, which dealt with his death. In total these and other small additions do not affect the accepted authorship as that of Moses. Joshua was required to carry out Moses' instructions and there is no way that he would have relied on memory alone. He probably either had been given a copy or made one. I believe that he not only wrote what was said at the time but checked it back with Moses. Joshua was not one to take God's word lightly and the instructions were clear, Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you, Deuteronomy 4:2 [KJV].

The author is identified by Deuteronomy 1:1, These are the words which Moses spoke . . . . The book is in fact a collection of sermons/speeches which Moses gave to Israel just before they crossed the Jordan.

Author:

Date of Writing: These sermons were given during the 40-day period preceding Moses death. The first sermon was delivered approaching the Hebrew new year, specifically on the 1st day of the 11th month (Deuteronomy 1:3), and the Israelites crossed the Jordan 70 days later, on the 10th day of the 1st month (Joshua 4:19). If we take away the 30 days of mourning after Moses death (Deuteronomy 34:8) from the 70, then we are left with 40 days. The year is generally recognised as 1406 B.C.

Purpose of Writing:

The specific purpose was given by the Levites just before the beginning of the first speech where it is recorded beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab, hath Moses begun to explain this law, saying, Deuteronomy 1:5 [YLT]. The Book of Deuteronomy is, fundamentally a restatement of the laws given by God to Israel in previous books of the Torah. The first speech was a recollection of their journey but in the second speech Moses got to the heart of his concerns. From early on he expressed the fundamental issue that he was attempting to address, O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! Deuteronomy 5:29 [KJV], Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength, Deuteronomy 6:6. Moses was therefore not just rambling on. He was terrified that they would not make it and wanted to give them every advantage. Moses went on to references several times in Deuteronomy that the Hebrew people had proven to be stubborn and disobedient (Deuteronomy 9:6, Deuteronomy 9:13, Deuteronomy 9:27, Deuteronomy 10:16, Deuteronomy 21:18, Deuteronomy 21:20). Up to the time when he was giving the sermons Moses was concerned that the message did not penetrate to their hearts Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day, Deuteronomy 29:4 [KJV];  And the LORD thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live, Deuteronomy 30:6 [KJV]. For this reason, he and God agreed that it would be in their best interests to have the rules restated so that they could make better choices. Towards the end of his third speech he implored, I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live, Deuteronomy 30:19 [KJV]. A new generation of Israelites was about to enter the Promised Land. Since the original instructions had proven to be challenging despite the terrors the Red Sea and the thunderings when the law was given at Sinai along with all of the other miracles, Moses set about to restate difficult areas and emphasise the importance of the whole in the hope that it would be as easy as possible to follow. Above all else Moses was trying to get them to understand. God recognised that they might benefit from a song and instructed Moses accordingly (Deuteronomy 31:19). Moses took the time to compose the song (Deuteronomy 31:19-23) to help and made sure that they heard it at least once, Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them.[29] For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.[30] And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended, Deuteronomy 31:28-30 (KJV). Both He and Joshua recited the song so the indication is clear that he had written it and rehearsed it with Joshua, And Moses came and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people, he, and Hoshea the son of Nun.[45] And Moses made an end of speaking all these words to all Israel, Deuteronomy 32:44-45 (KJV). Finally Moses blessed them (Deuteronomy 33).

Key Verses:

key principle:

The key verses above emanate from a key principle brought out by God in Deuteronomy.

This has strong implications for the Church, who are kings and priests, as is brought out in other scriptures.

When taken together it shows that Sabbath Service should be conducted in such a way that all potential kings cover the whole Bible with those who are elders present to provide support. In is not to be a one man show like how it is monopolised by the present sermons.

Overview:

I follow the generally accepted structure with the logical impact of the Levites for completeness. I break it down as the Levites’ introduction (chapter 1:1-4) followed by a series of three speeches or sermons by Moses (chapters 1:5–4:43, 4:44–29:1, 29:2–30:20) culminated by his own concluding remarks, passing the mantle to Joshua and farewell (chapters 31:1-33:29) and finally a short appendix by the Levites to terminate that Era (chapter 34).