Introduction
The Greek word ‘Deuteronomy’ means ‘Second law’, because some aspects of God’s instructions in the previous accounts are repeated again in this one, noticeably the Ten Commandments. Hebrew readers call this document ‘Devārim’ which is the second word in the Hebrew text and means ‘Words’ or ‘Things’. Some European and other translations call it ‘The fifth book of Mosheh/Moses’.
This document contains a series of addresses that Mosheh (commonly known in English as Moses) made to the descendants of Yisrael/Israel while they were in the Moav region on the eastern side of the Yarden/Jordan river. They had stopped there for quite a long time after their travelling through the wilderness, and it would soon be time for them to cross the river and enter the ‘promised land’ of Kena’an/Canaan.
Some of the more important points made in this document include: 1. Mosheh’s summary of the history of the Israelis over the previous forty year, and how he requested them to remain loyal and obedient to Yahweh. 2. Mosheh’s retelling of the ‘Ten commands’ and his explanation of the first commands, ensuring that Yisrael’s descendants knew that it was vital to continue serving Yahweh. This also includes the various rules to be obey in Kena’an. 3. Mosheh’s interpretation of the peoples agreement with Yahweh is retold here, and his encouragement to the people to continue to obey that agreement. 4. The selection of Yehoshua/Joshua as the new leader for God’s chosen people group, Mosheh’s song about the joy of serving Yahweh and the blessings for those who obey. Mosheh’s death in Moav is also retold here.
The best known segment of this document is Yahweh’s blessing and cursing of his chosen people depending on the path that they decide to take. If the Israelis would choose to follow Yahweh’s instructions, there was a large blessing to be received, but equally a terrifying curse should they fail to acknowledge what God had done for them.
The most important verses here are 6:4-6, quoted by Yeshua as being the greatest of all commands: You should love your god Yahweh with your whole mind, your entire being, and all your strength.
This is still an early look into the unpolished text of the Open English Translation of the Bible. Please double-check the text in advance before using in public.
