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Deuteronomy.

BY

THE REV. C. H. WALLER, M.A.

Joshua.

BY

THE REV. C. H. WALLER, M. A.

Judges.

BY

THE REV. F. W. FARRAR, D.D.,

Canon of Westminster.

Ruth.

BY

THE REV. R. SINKER, M.A.

1. Samuel.

BY

THE REV. H. D. M. SPENCE, M.A.,

Vicar of St. Pancras, and Hon. Canon of Gloucester Cathedral.

II. Samuel.

BY

THE REV. F. GARDINER, D.D.,

Professor of Divinity, Middletown, Connecticut, U.S..A.

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THE FIFTH BOOK OF MOSES, CALLED

DEUTERONOMY.

INTRODUCTION

ΤΟ

THE FIFTH BOOK OF MOSES, CALLED

DEUTERONOMY.

INTRODUCTION TO THE BOOK OF DEUTERONOMY.

I. Analysis of the book.-Before entering into any discussion as to style, authorship, or particular difficulties, it is absolutely indispensable to have clearly before us the structure of the book in its present shape. The book of Deuteronomy consists of—

(a) A TITLE (chap. i. 1-5, inclusive). This title is twofold, and states (I) that these words were spoken to all Israel by Moses between Sinai and Kadesh-barnea, in view of their first attempt at the conquest of Canaan; (2) that all this Law was declared (i.e., apparently redelivered and written; see Note on chap. i. 5) in the eleventh month of the fortieth year, immediately before they actually entered the country, and after Sihon and Og had already been overcome.

(b) AN INTRODUCTORY DISCOURSE (chap. i. 6; iv. 40 inclusive), followed by the appointment of three cities of refuge on the eastern side of Jordan, in the territory conquered by Moses. In this discourse Moses reviews Israel's journey from Sinai to the banks of Jordan, for the purpose of exhortation, dwelling upon those points only which bear directly on the enterprise in prospect-the passage of Jordan, the conquest of the seven nations, and the position of the chosen people in the promised land.

(c) THE DEUTERONOMY PROPER, or repetition of the law (chap. iv. 44 to end of xxviii.).

This contains

(1) A title (chap. iv. 44—49).

(2) Repetition of the Decalogue (chap. v.).

(3) Its Exposition, and this

(a) generally, as creating a certain relation between the people of Israel and their God, who had given them this law (chaps. vi.—xi.). (8) particularly, in relation to the land which God was giving them. This land is considered

(i.) As the seat of the worship of Jehovah (chap. xii. 1 to xvi. 17).

(ii.) As the seat of His kingdom (chap. xvi. 18 to end of xviii.).

(iii.) As the sphere of operation of certain particular rules of person, property, society, and behaviour (chap. xix. to end of xxvi.).

(4) Its Enactment, as the law of the land of promise, written on Mount Ebal, and enforced by blessings and cursings (chap. xxvii.). (5) Its Sanction in Israel, for all time, by a most tremendous denunciation of rewards and penalties, in force even to this day (chap. xxviii.).

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(d) THE SECOND COVENANT, which is to follow the Sinaitic covenant, and to redeem Israel from its curse, "the covenant which the Lord commanded Moses to make with the children of Israel in the land of Moab, beside the covenant which He made with them in Horeb (chaps. xxix., xxx.)

(e) CONCLUSION. Moses's resignation of his charge to Joshua. Delivery of the law to the priests and elders, and of the book to the Levites (chap. xxxi.). Moses's last song (chap. xxxii.), blessing (chap. xxxiii.), and death (chap. xxxiv.)

Hebrew Divisions of Deuteronomy.

The Jews have divided Deuteronomy into eleven portions, for reading in the synagogue. Seven of these comprise chap. i. 1 to xxix. 8. The other four follow the chapters, viz., chap. xxix. 9 to end of xxx., chap. xxxi., chap. xxxii., and lastly, chaps. xxxiii. and xxxiv.

The first seven portions are of an average length of six columns in Bagster's Polyglot Bible. In no instance do they appear to mark any important logical division of the book, except in the case of that portion which begins with "judges and officers" (chap. xvi. 18). The companion lessons from the prophets are chiefly from Isaiah. Each division is named from its opening words in Hebrew. The complete list is given below. 1. D’barim, “The words," chap. i. 1.

2. Va-ethchannan, " And I besought," chap. iii. 23. 3. 'Ekeb, "Because" (if), chap vii. 12.

4. R'êh, "Behold," chap. xi. 26.

5. Shoph'tim, "Judges," chap. xvi. 18.

6. Thetze, "Thou goest forth," chap. xxi. 10.

7. Thâbô, “Thou comest in," chap. xxvi. 1.

8. Ni-tzabim, "Standing," xxix. 8.

9. Vay-yêlek, "And went," xxxi. 1.
0. Haazinu, "Hear," chap. xxxii. 1.

11. V'zôth hab-berákah, “And this is the blessing," chap. xxxiii. 1.

The distinction between the covenants in chaps. xxviii. and xxix. has been obliterated by this division.

Further analysis of the specific enactments of Deuteronomy, chaps. xii. to xxvi.

As these chapters have been recently made the subject of special criticism with a view to show that they stand apart from the rest of Deuteronomy and belong to a much later period than the Exodus, a special analysis and examination of their contents is given below.

The first thing that appears in these enactments of Deuteronomy is that all alike are laws of holiness. The principle is, "Ye shall be holy for I am holy."

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