Deuteronomy study section
Deuteronomy maps & timelines
Deuteronomy is spoken entirely on the plains of Moab. Its structure follows an ancient covenant treaty, and its timeline covers Moses’ final weeks.
The setting of Deuteronomy
The Setting of Deuteronomy:
- The Plains of Moab - East of the Jordan, across from Jericho, where all of Deuteronomy is spoken in Moses’ final weeks
- Mount Nebo (Pisgah) - The peak from which Moses views the promised land and where he dies
- Horeb (Sinai) - The mountain of the covenant, constantly recalled as Moses reviews the past
- Kadesh-barnea - Where the previous generation refused to enter the land, a warning throughout
- The Jordan River - The boundary Israel is about to cross into the land under Joshua
- Mounts Gerizim and Ebal - The facing mountains where the blessing and curse are to be proclaimed in the land
The shape of the covenant renewal
Deuteronomy has no journey; it is Moses' farewell preaching on the plains of Moab in his final weeks. Its shape is that of an ancient covenant treaty between a great king and his people, and reading it in that shape shows how its addresses fit together as one renewal of Israel's bond with the LORD.
Deuteronomy is shaped like an ancient covenant treaty between a great king and his people. Reading it in this shape shows how its parts fit together as one renewal of Israel’s bond with the LORD.
| Element of the Covenant | Chapters | Content |
|---|---|---|
| Preamble and historical prologue | 1-4 | Moses reviews God’s faithful dealings from Horeb to Moab |
| Covenant stipulations (general) | 5-11 | The Ten Commandments and the call to love God (the Shema) |
| Covenant stipulations (specific) | 12-26 | The detailed statutes for worship, leaders, justice, and society |
| Blessings and curses | 27-28 | The sanctions of the covenant, proclaimed at Ebal and Gerizim |
| Covenant renewal and witnesses | 29-30 | The covenant confirmed in Moab; heaven and earth called to witness |
| Succession and continuity | 31-34 | Joshua commissioned, the Song and blessing given, Moses dies |
Timeline of major events
| Event | Approximate Date | Deuteronomy Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Israel encamped on the plains of Moab | c. 1406 BC (40th year, 11th month) | 1:1-5 |
| Moses’ first address: review of the journey | c. 1406 BC | 1:6-4:43 |
| Moses’ second address: the law expounded | c. 1406 BC | 4:44-26:19 |
| The blessings and curses of the covenant | c. 1406 BC | 27:1-28:68 |
| The covenant renewed in Moab | c. 1406 BC | 29:1-30:20 |
| Joshua commissioned as successor | c. 1406 BC | 31:1-8 |
| The Song of Moses given | c. 1406 BC | 31:30-32:47 |
| The blessing of the tribes | c. 1406 BC | 33:1-29 |
| The death of Moses on Mount Nebo | c. 1406 BC | 34:1-8 |
| Joshua takes up the leadership | c. 1406 BC | 34:9 |
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