Deuteronomy (Devarim) Introduction

Deuteronomy is the English name for the Fifth Book of Moses. The opening phrase in Hebrew literally means “these are the words“.  This title has been shortened to Devarim, translated as “words“. The oldest name of the book is, ‘the Repetition of the Torah’; it is based on a phrase in 17:18. Greek-speaking Jews while translating the Septuagint called it Deuteronmion meaning ‘second law’. Jerome translated this Greek word in his Latin translation as Deuteronomiium. It was carried over into the English versions as Deuteronomy. (Hertz, JH. Pentateuch & Haftorahs Sconcino Press London 1994 P567)

Understanding Deuteronomy (Devarim):

Here are a few items to keep in mind about this particular book.

1. Deuteronomy (Devarim) is a repeating of the laws mostly located in the book of Numbers. However, there are about 90 new laws not found anywhere in the Torah.
2. In the previous writings of Moshe, he is recording current events and the words of YHWH. However, Deuteronomy (Devarim) is Moshe’s last words to the next generation before they enter the Promise Land. Devarim is Moshe’s last 38 days alive! The Rabbis say Moshe taught all thirty-eight before leaving the earth.
3. The last two chapters, per Rabbi Sacks, are not included the covenant (treaty) between YHWH and Israel.
4. The key words of Deuteronomy: (1) Shema – listen. It appears no less than 92 times.  Hearing is the fundamental verb of Deuteronomy. (2) Joy – SMH. appears about 25 times. (3) Love –  Appears 23 times. YHWH’s love for his people; his peoples love toward Him. love, loyalty, liberty. Dt. 6.5; 7.7-9; 10.14-19.

Deuteronomy (Devarim) Stats:

Deuteronomy (Devarim), as previously mentioned, is the fifth book of the Torah of Moshe. According to Chabad tradition, it is the seventh book of Torah. See “Backward/Upside Down Nuns” under “Hebrew Anomalies” on the Numbers (Bemidbar) Info page.

The source of these stats: Akhlah: The Jewish Children Learning Network

Deuteronomy (Devarim) Outline:

According to Rabbi Johnathan Sacks, Deuteronomy (Devarim) is an ancient treaty (covenant) text between G-d and Israel. He states this is the only ancient covenant text that’s made between a god and mankind. All other ancient treaties (steles) are between neighboring kings. See the Stele of the Vultures and Stele of Naram-Sin.

This outline followed here is based on Rabbi Jonathan Sacks’ on pages 11, 12 of Deuteronomy: Renewal of the Sinai Covenant. Covenant & Conversation. A Weekly reading of the Jewish Bible.

Rabbi Sacks’ states”…a part from Moses song and the blessing of the tribes, … , the entire book of Deuteronomy is a covenant on a monumental scale.”

Deuteronomy (Devarim) Scribal Practices:

Scribal practices are unique to the Hebrew language and cannot be translated. They consist of:

1. enlarged letters – Enl
2. diminished letters – Dim
3. dotted letters – Dot
4. suspended letters – sometimes called raised or erected letters. However, there are no appearance of these in the Torah of Moshe.  They appear only four times in Tanak.
5. and other unique markings – None here!

Although some have practical applications in truth, we don’t know the meaning of most of these nuances. However, certain groups have developed teachings and have applied meaning to these markings.

Hebrew contains 22 letters plus 5 additional final forms. I have been able to confirm from a trained scribe each of these letters are both enlarged and diminished throughout the TaNaK.

Much of the following information was inspired by articles from the Jewish Encyclopedia. I have created a chart below for a quick review on these markings in this book.

Scribal Stats

• Enl – enlarged letters – 6 appearances in Deuteronomy
• Dim – diminished letters – 2 appearances in Deuteronomy
• 11 Torah Portions – Only 5 Torah portions contain scribal markings

Deuteronomy (Devarim) Resources:

Chumash
The Schocken Bible: Volume 1, The Five Books of Moses | Schocken Books | Everett Fox
The Steinsaltz Humash | Koren Publishers | Rabbi Adin Even-Israel Steinsaltz
The Pentateuch & Haftorahs | The Soncino Press | Dr. J.H. Hertz
The Living Torah | Maznaim Publishing | Rabbi Aryeh Kaplan

Commentaries
Covenant & Conversation: Deuteronomy: Renewal of the Sinai Covenant | OU Press | Rabbi Johnathan Sacks
The JPS Torah Commentary Deuteronomy | JPS | Jeffrey Tigay

Hebrew Language Resources
The Brown-Driver-Briggs Hebrew and English Lexicon

Next Steps:

Since you have finished reading all the background information about Deuteronomy. Let’s dive into reading the text. Click your preferred chapter link below.