Deuteronomy 21:10–34:12 (Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 6b | WBC)
Overview
For centuries the book of Deuteronomy has been studied as a compilation of three sermons followed by three appendices. In his penetrating new study of this fifth book of the Pentateuch, Duane Christensen argues that “Deuteronomy is best explained as a didactic poem, composed to be recited publicly to music in ancient Israel within a liturgical setting.” Christensen calls readers to understand Deuteronomy not only as an ancient code of Hebraic law but rather as “a work of extraordinary literary coherence, poetic beauty, and political sophistication.” Christensen's fresh look at this ancient book immerses the reader in a probing analysis of the literary, theological, and social issues of Moses’ day. Organized for easy reference, Word Biblical commentaries make an ideal Bible study companion whether you are studying a single passage or a complete biblical book.
The Word Biblical Commentary delivers the best in biblical scholarship, from the leading scholars of our day who share a commitment to Scripture as divine revelation. This series emphasizes a thorough analysis of textual, linguistic, structural, and theological evidence. The result is judicious and balanced insight into the meanings of the text in the framework of biblical theology. These widely acclaimed commentaries serve as exceptional resources for the professional theologian and instructor, the seminary or university student, the working minister, and everyone concerned with building theological understanding from a solid base of biblical scholarship.
Top Highlights
“The phrase ‘she has been defiled’ (הטמאה) refers to the woman in relation to her first husband and not a general state brought about by her remarriage.” (Page 567)
“We all want life and good, and to escape death and evil. And so Moses declares that we can choose between these alternatives: ‘I have set before you today life and good or death and evil.… So choose life that you and your offspring may live, by loving YHWH your God—by obeying his voice and cleaving to him; for he is your life and the length of your days’ (30:15–20). Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in the Garden of Eden in hopes of gaining the knowledge of good and evil. They learned the knowledge of good by losing it; and they learned death and evil by experiencing it. Moses argues that the choice to obey God brings real advantages our way and the choice to disobey brings with it the certainty of ruin. We have the power to choose life and good instead of death and evil.” (Page 748)
“It should be noted, however, that we are not talking about merely knowing the Torah by rote. It was to be known internally; that is, it was to be written in one’s heart. In one sense, then, the ‘new covenant’ Jeremiah envisioned (Jer 31:31–34) was a return to the original intention of the covenant relationship between God and his people as expressed in Deuteronomy: ‘I will write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people’ (Jer 31:33 nrsv).” (Page 744)
“Mesopotamian hero Gilgamesh in his quest to find eternal life had to cross the sea. In sharp contrast to this heroic journey in the Epic of Gilgamesh, Moses declared that life is to found in God’s commandment, which is ‘very near to you.’ The expression ‘in your mouth and in your heart’ indicates that the Torah is to be memorized—it is to be ‘known by heart.’” (Page 743)
Duane L. Christensen is professor of biblical studies and ancient Near Eastern History at William Carey International University. He is the author of Anchor Yale Bible: Nahum.
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