Unawares ; literally, in lack or want of knowing ( בְּבְלִי־דַעָת ), i . e . unconsciously, unintentionally; in Numbers 35:31 , Numbers 35:15 , another word ( בִּשְׁגָגָה , by mistake) is used, rendered in the Authorized Version by "unwittingly;" in Joshua 20:3 , both words are used. In times past ; literally, yesterday , three days since , i . e . formerly, heretofore (cf. Genesis 31:2 ; Exodus 5:8 ). read more
These verses are inserted between two distinct and complete discourses for the reason to which they themselves call attention (“Then Moses severed three cities,” etc.); i. e., the fact narrated took place historically after Moses spoke the one discourse and before he delivered the other. In thus severing the three cities of refuge Moses carried out a previous command of God (see the marginal references); and so followed up his exhortations to obedience by setting a punctual example of it, as... read more
Warning to be obedient (4:1-43)The reason Moses outlined Israel’s history was to show on the one hand that God’s promises did not fail, and on the other that his judgment on disobedience was certain. In view of this, the people were to keep all God’s laws and commandments without altering them to suit themselves. If they modelled their national life in Canaan on these laws, they would benefit themselves and be an example to others (4:1-8).In order that Israel might not forget his laws, God had... read more
A. The appointment of cities of refuge in Transjordan 4:41-43It may seem strange that Moses included the record of his appointment of Bezer, Ramoth, and Golan as the three cities of refuge ("safe towns," CEV) east of the Jordan at this point in Deuteronomy. He probably did so because this important event took place after his first address and before he delivered his second speech. The two and one-half tribes were beginning to settle in Transjordan, and they needed this information.The inclusion... read more
III. HISTORICAL INTERLUDE: PREPARATION FOR THE COVENANT TEXT 4:41-49Having completed his address that reminded the Israelites to look backward and remember God’s faithfulness so they would remain faithful in the future, Moses next turned to a reminder of what God’s will for His chosen people involved. He prefaced this second speech with instruction concerning cities of refuge in the land. read more
First Discourse (Deu 1:14 to Deu 4:43)The long sojourn in the wilderness is now drawing to a close. The Israelites are encamped in the Plains of Moab within sight of the Promised Land. Moses, feeling that his death is approaching, delivers his final charges to the people. In the first, he reviews briefly the history of Israel from Mt. Sinai to the Jordan, dwelling on the goodness of God, and making it the basis of an earnest appeal to the people to remember all that He has done for them, and to... read more
Exhortations To ObedienceThis chapter contains the practical part of the discourse. Having briefly rehearsed the experiences of the Israelites in the wilderness up to the present point, Moses closes with an eloquent appeal not to forget what they had seen and learned, but to keep the commandments of the Lord. The argument is quite evangelical. Jehovah of His own free grace has chosen and redeemed this people, they ought, therefore, to love and serve Him alone: cp. Joshua’s exhortation in Joshua... read more
THE APPOINTMENT OF THREE CITIES OF REFUGE.(41) Then Moses severed.—The word “then” appears to be a note of time. It would seem that the appointment of the three cities of refuge on the eastern side of Jordan actually followed this discourse.On this side Jordan.—Heb., b’ ’êber hay-yardên. The expression is here defined by the words that follow, “toward the sun-rising,” and it need not, therefore, be taken to fix the writer’s point of view. By itself, the expression would naturally mean, on the... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 4:42
Unawares ; literally, in lack or want of knowing ( בְּבְלִי־דַעָת ), i . e . unconsciously, unintentionally; in Numbers 35:31 , Numbers 35:15 , another word ( בִּשְׁגָגָה , by mistake) is used, rendered in the Authorized Version by "unwittingly;" in Joshua 20:3 , both words are used. In times past ; literally, yesterday , three days since , i . e . formerly, heretofore (cf. Genesis 31:2 ; Exodus 5:8 ). read more