An Introduction and Commentary
Tyndale Old Testament commentaries (Volume 5)

Contents

General preface
Author’s preface

Introduction

Title
Deuteronomy and the divine Torah
The structure of Deuteronomy
Some literary characteristics of Deuteronomy
Deuteronomy and the central sanctuary
The basic social and religious background of Deuteronomy
The date and authorship of Deuteronomy
The theology of Deuteronomy

Analysis

Commentary

The aim of this series of Tyndale Old Testament Commentaries, as it was in the companion volumes on the New Testament, is to provide the student of the Bible with a handy, up-to-date commentary on each book, with the primary emphasis on exegesis. Major critical questions are discussed in the introductions and additional notes, while undue technicalities have been avoided.

In this series individual authors are, of course, free to make their own distinct contributions and express their own point of view on all controversial issues. Within the necessary limits of space they frequently draw attention to interpretations which they themselves do not hold but which represent the stated conclusions of sincere fellow Christians. This book of Deuteronomy has long been the subject of much discussion and debate, especially as to its authorship and date. Dr Thompson shows how many elements are obviously Mosaic and discusses others which may have been added subsequently. Devout scholars have proposed a date in the monarchy or later for the final compilation of this great influential book with its emphasis on law and history. The present author has given a fair account of the various possible solutions to this most vexed question. He combines this with a helpful and reverent exposition of the text and writes with the authority of one who is well versed in the many philological and archaeological findings which bear on this vital period in the divine revelation and in the history of God’s people.

In the Old Testament in particular no single English translation is adequate to reflect the original text. The authors of these commentaries freely quote various versions, therefore, or give their own translation, in the endeavour to make the more difficult passages or words meaningful today. Where necessary, words from the Hebrew (and Aramaic) Text underlying their studies are transliterated. This will help the reader who may be unfamiliar with the Semitic languages to identify the word under discussion and thus to follow the argument. It is assumed throughout that the reader will have ready access to one, or more, reliable rendering of the Bible in English.

Interest in the meaning and message of the Old Testament continues undiminished and it is hoped that this series will thus further the systematic study of the revelation of God and his will and ways as seen in these records. It is the prayer of the editor and publisher, as of the authors, that these books will help many to understand, and to respond to, the Word of God today.

D. J. Wiseman

From the AUTHOR’S PREFACE

The very considerable interest which the early Christians showed in the book of Deuteronomy provides some measure of its significance as a book of devotion and inspiration and a source of guidance for life. The sympathetic reader cannot fail to be challenged by the persistent demands throughout the book that he should acknowledge the complete and sole sovereignty of God in his life. Nor can he fail to be touched by the noble concept of God that underlies the whole book. Even though the great principles of Deuteronomy are expressed in terms which are at times strange to us in the twentieth century AD, we may grasp the principles and give them a present application. The results will be startling. Let the twentieth-century man place himself under the sovereignty of God in every area of his life and he will have begun to understand the import of the book of Deuteronomy.

There are many questions of a technical nature, such as historical background, literary form, language, etc., on which commentators are not agreed. One can only explore the possibilities in each case and wait for more light. It is the strong opinion of the present commentator that the hand of Moses should be discerned throughout the book, even if it is not possible to decide the extent of editorial work.

It has seemed valuable to introduce the name Yahweh, the Hebrew name for Israel’s God, in the course of the present exposition in the hope that readers might capture some of the majesty and wonder of that sacred name. In English versions the expression the Lord seems to lack something of the character of the Hebrew name.

It is (the Author's) hope that this commentary will assist the reader of Deuteronomy to come to recognize the sovereignty of God in every area of his life.

John A. Thompson

From the INTRODUCTION

The narrative in the book of Numbers concludes with the children of Israel temporarily settled in the plains of Moab opposite Jericho, already at the threshold of the promised land (Num. 33:48, 49; Deut. 1:5). The occupation of the lands on the east side of the river Jordan, which were to become part of Israel’s territory in the coming centuries, was already completed. At this point in the story there was a pause while Moses expounded to Israel the character of their faith and nationhood. In the book of Deuteronomy the demands of Yahweh their God are recorded in many passages, but everywhere it is evident that Israel was challenged to a total unshared allegiance to Yahweh who had wrought mighty acts of deliverance on her behalf. You must revere the Lord your God: only Him shall you worship, to Him you shall hold fast,…He is your God, who wrought for you those marvellous, awesome deeds that you saw with your own eyes. Your ancestors went down to Egypt seventy persons in all; and now the Lord your God has made you as numerous as the stars of heaven (10:20–22, JPSA). The primary demand for Israel, which later became a primary demand for Christians also, was You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might (6:5; cf. Matt. 22:37; Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27).

Deuteronomy is one of the greatest books of the Old Testament. Its influence on the domestic and personal religion of all ages has not been surpassed by any other book in the Bible. It is quoted over eighty times in the New Testament and thus it belongs to a small group of four Old Testament books to which the early Christians made frequent reference. ...