Deuteronomy is book 5 of the 39 books of the Old Testament and belongs to the Law (Pentateuch) section. See how it fits with the rest in our guide to all 66 books of the Bible.
Quick facts
- Section
- Old Testament · Law (Pentateuch)
- Genre
- Sermons and covenant law, with narrative and poetry
- Author (traditional)
- Moses, who delivered the speeches; the account of his death (chapter 34) is usually credited to Joshua or a later editor.
- Other views on authorship
- Many scholars link Deuteronomy to the scroll found in the temple under King Josiah (2 Kings 22), dating its core to the 7th century BC with later additions.
- Date (traditional)
- About 1400 BC, at the end of the wilderness journey.
- Other views on dating
- Core usually dated to the 7th century BC, with final editing during or after the exile.
- Chapters
- 34
- Verses
- 959
- Reading time
- About 128 minutes (25,688 words in the BSB)
What is Deuteronomy about?
The name Deuteronomy means 'second law,' but the book is less a new law code than a passionate sermon. It is set in Moses' last days on the plains of Moab. The generation that left Egypt has died in the wilderness, and Moses, now 120 years old, knows he will not cross the Jordan. He speaks to their children.
His first speech retells the journey from Sinai, including the failure at Kadesh, so the new generation will learn from it. The second and longest speech restates the Ten Commandments and the Shema — 'Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One' — and then applies God's law to worship, leadership, justice, family, war, farming and care for the poor. The repeated call is to love God, remember what he has done, and teach it to the next generation.
The final chapters set out blessings and curses, renew the covenant, and lay before Israel a clear choice between life and death. Moses commissions Joshua, writes the law down, teaches Israel a song and blesses the tribes. Then he climbs Mount Nebo, sees the whole land, and dies. The book closes by saying no prophet since has been like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face.
Outline of Deuteronomy
| ChaptersCh. | Section |
|---|---|
| 1–4 | Remembering the journey Moses reviews Israel's history from Sinai to Moab and urges faithfulness. |
| 5–11 | The heart of the covenant The Ten Commandments, the Shema and warnings against forgetting God in prosperity. |
| 12–26 | Laws for life in the land Worship, festivals, leaders, justice, war, family, and care for the poor and the stranger. |
| 27–30 | Blessings, curses and choice The covenant is renewed, and Israel is called to choose life. |
| 31–34 | Moses' last days Joshua is commissioned; Moses' song and blessing; his death on Mount Nebo. |
Key themes
- Love for God. Deuteronomy puts relationship at the center: love the LORD your God with all your heart, soul and strength (6:5). Jesus calls this the greatest commandment.
- Remember and do not forget. Again and again Moses warns that comfort can make people forget God. Memory, retold to children, is how faith survives.
- One God, one people. The Shema declares the LORD alone is God, and the book calls Israel to reject idols and worship him wholeheartedly.
- Justice and compassion. Laws protect widows, orphans, foreigners, the poor and even animals. Israel is to remember it was once enslaved.
- The choice of life. The book ends with an open choice: obey and live, or turn away and suffer. 'Choose life' (30:19) sums it up.
Key people and places
- Moses — Delivers his final speeches and dies on Mount Nebo.
- Joshua — Commissioned as Moses' successor.
- Caleb — Remembered for his faithfulness at Kadesh.
- Aaron — Recalled for his part in the golden calf and his death.
Places: Plains of Moab, Mount Nebo (Pisgah), Horeb (Sinai), Kadesh Barnea, Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, Jordan River.
Key verses in Deuteronomy
Quoted from the Berean Standard Bible (BSB).
“Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is One. And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.”
“He humbled you, and in your hunger He gave you manna to eat, which neither you nor your fathers had known, so that you might understand that man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD.”
“And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God by walking in all His ways, to love Him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD that I am giving you this day for your own good?”
“I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore choose life, so that you and your descendants may live, and that you may love the LORD your God, obey Him, and hold fast to Him. For He is your life, and He will prolong your life in the land that the LORD swore to give to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.””
“Be strong and courageous; do not be afraid or terrified of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you; He will never leave you nor forsake you.””
How Deuteronomy fits the big story
Deuteronomy closes the five books of Moses and opens the history that follows. It stands between the wilderness of Numbers and the conquest in Joshua, and its message — blessing for faithfulness, disaster for idolatry — shapes how the books from Joshua to 2 Kings tell Israel's story. Its promise of a prophet like Moses (18:15) is applied to Jesus in Acts, and Jesus quotes Deuteronomy three times when tempted in the wilderness. Its courage-giving promise in Deuteronomy 31:6 is still among the most quoted verses of comfort.
How to read Deuteronomy
At 3 chapters a day you can read Deuteronomy in 12 days. Read Deuteronomy as a sermon, not a law code. Start with chapters 6–8 and 30, and notice how often Moses says 'remember,' 'today' and 'love.'