Deuteronomy 31:9-13

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 31:9-13

The law was given by Moses; so it is said, John 1:17. He was not only entrusted to deliver it to that generation, but to transmit it to the generations to come; and here it appears that he was faithful to that trust. I. Moses wrote this law, Deut. 31:9. The learned bishop Patrick understands this of all the five books of Moses, which are often called the law; he supposes that though Moses had written most of the Pentateuch before, yet he did not finish it till now; now he put his last hand to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 31:9

And Moses wrote this law ,.... The book of Deuteronomy, or the Pentateuch, the five books of Moses, which he had now finished, and which all of them together are sometimes called the law, Galatians 4:21 , and delivered it unto the priests, the sons of Levi ; who were the teachers of the law, as Aben Ezra observes; see Malachi 2:7 ; and therefore it was proper to put it into their hands, to instruct the people in it, and that the people might apply to them in any matter of difficulty,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 31:10

And Moses commanded them ,.... The priests and the elders, to whom the law was delivered: saying ; as follows: at the end of every seven years ; every seventh year was a year of rest to the land, and of remission of debts to poor debtors: at the close of this year or going out of it, according to the Misnah F20 Sotah, c. 7. sect. 8. , even on the eighth year coming in, the following was to be done, namely, the reading of the law; and so Jarchi interprets it of the first year... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 31:11

When all Israel is come to appear before the Lord thy God ,.... As all the males were obliged to do three times in the year, and one of those times was the feast of tabernacles, and so a proper season for the reading of the law; see Exodus 23:14 ; in the place which the Lord shall choose ; the city of Jerusalem, and the temple there: thou shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing ; the book of Deuteronomy, as Jarchi, or it may be the whole Pentateuch: who were to read... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 31:12

Gather the people together, men, and women, and children ,.... At the three grand festivals in other years, only males were obliged to appear; women might if they would, but they were not bound to it; but at this time all of every age and sex were to be summoned and assembled together; and it is said F26 Bartenora in Misn. Megillah, c. 1. sect. 3. , when the king read in the book of the law, all the people were obliged to come and bring their families, as it is said Deuteronomy 31:12 ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 31:13

And that their children, which have not known anything ,.... Of God and of his law and of their duty to God, to their parents, and the rest of their fellow creatures: may hear, and learn to fear the Lord your God ; hear the law of God, learn the meaning of it, and so be brought up in the fear, nurture, and admonition of the Lord, and serve him their Creator in the days of their youth: as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it ; this being a means to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 31:9

Moses wrote this law - Not the whole Pentateuch, but either the discourses and precepts mentioned in the preceding chapters, or the book of Deuteronomy, which is most likely. Some of the rabbins have pretended that Moses wrote thirteen copies of the whole Pentateuch; that he gave one to each of the twelve tribes, and the thirteenth was laid up by the ark. This opinion deserves little credit. Some think that he wrote two copies, one of which he gave to the priests and Levites for general... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 31:10-11

At the end of every seven years - thou shalt read this law - Every seventh year was a year of release, Deuteronomy 15:1 , at which time the people's minds, being under a peculiar degree of solemnity, were better disposed to hear and profit by the words of God. I suppose on this ground also that the whole book of Deuteronomy is meant, as it alone contains an epitome of the whole Pentateuch. And in this way some of the chief Jewish rabbins understand this place. It is strange that this... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 31:9

Verse 9 9.And Moses wrote this law. It is unquestionable that Moses deposited the Book of the Law in the custody of the Levites, to enjoin upon them the duty of teaching; for although it is only related that they were commanded to recite the book before the people every seventh year, yet it is easy to gather that they were appointed the constant proclaimers of its doctrine. For it would have been absurd that the Law should lie buried for seven whole years, and that not a word should be heard of... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 31:10

Verse 10 10.And Moses commanded them. The object of this precept is the same as that of the foregoing. He would have (the Law (238)) represented, and constantly kept before their eyes; now He commands that it should also be recited every seventh year, lest the knowledge of it should ever depart. But let us follow the order of the words. First of all, Moses says that “he wrote” the Law. Before this, the doctrines of religion had only been expressed by word of mouth, for their fathers had handed... read more

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