Deuteronomy: The Book of Remembering

Deuteronomy at a Glance

Deuteronomy is the fifth and last book of Moses. The name comes from a Greek phrase that means second law. The book repeats the Law of Sinai for a new generation that was too young to hear it the first time.

• Author. Moses. The book says that Moses wrote this law (Deuteronomy 31:9), and that he finished writing the words of this law in a book (Deuteronomy 31:24). The last chapter tells of his death, so Joshua or another inspired writer added it.
• Date. About 1406 BC, in the eleventh month of the fortieth year after the Exodus (Deuteronomy 1:3). Moses died at 120 years old, soon afterward.
• Written To. The new generation of Israel, camped east of the Jordan and ready to enter the Promised Land.
• Setting. The plains of Moab, across the Jordan from Jericho.
• Key Verse. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might (Deuteronomy 6:4–5).
• Key Word or Theme. Remember, love, and obey. Moses calls Israel to remember what God has done, to love Him in return, and to show it by obeying Him.