Deuteronomy

Christopher J. H. Wright

Baker Books

a division of Baker Publishing Group

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Understanding the Bible Commentary Series

General Editors

W. Ward Gasque

Robert L. Hubbard Jr.

Robert K. Johnston

© 1996 by Christopher J. H. Wright

Published by Baker Books

a division of Baker Publishing Group

P.O. Box 6287, Grand Rapids, MI 49516-6287

www.bakerbooks.com

Previously published jointly in 1996, in the United States by Hendrickson Publishers, and in the United Kingdom by the Paternoster Press.

Baker Books edition published 2012

ISBN 978-0-8010-4814-2

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means—for example, electronic, photocopy, recording—without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

The Library of Congress has cataloged the original edition as follows:

Wright, Christopher J. H., 1947–

Deuteronomy / Christopher J. H. Wright; Old Testament editors, Robert

L. Hubbard, Jr., Robert K. Johnston

(New International biblical commentary; 4)

p. cm.

Includes bibliographical references and indexes.

ISBN 978-1-56563-171-7 (pbk.)

1. Bible. O.T. Deuteronomy—Commentaries. I. Hubbard, Robert L., 1943–. II. Johnson, Robert K., 1945–. III. Title. IV. Series.

BS1275.3.W75 1996

222′.1507—dc20

96-28350

Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com

For

My dear wife

Liz

Table of Contents

Foreword

Preface

Abbreviations

Introduction

§1 At the Boundary (Deut. 1:1–5)

§2 Structures for Growth (Deut. 1:6–18)

§3 A Reminder of Wasted Opportunity (Deut. 1:19–46)

§4 A Reminder of Past Victories (Deut. 2:1–3:29)

§5 Obedience and Loyalty to Israel’s Unique God (Deut. 4:1–43)

§6 Introduction to Israel’s Covenantal Constitution: The Decalogue (Deut. 4:44–5:6)

§7 The Ten Commandments (Deut. 5:7–21)

§8 Moses the Mediator (Deut. 5:22–6:3)

§9 One Lord, One Love, One Loyalty (Deut. 6:4–25)

§10 Israel’s Election and Its Implications (Deut. 7:1–26)

§11 Not by Bread Alone (Deut. 8:1–20)

§12 Not because of Israel’s Righteousness (Deut. 9:1–10:11)

§13 Walk in All God’s Ways (Deut. 10:12–22)

§14 The Crucial Choice: Blessing or Curse (Deut. 11:1–32)

§15 The Name above All Names (Deut. 12:1–32)

§16 Sources of the Temptation to Go after Other Gods (Deut. 13:1–18)

§17 Israel’s Distinctiveness Mirrored in the Home and Farm (Deut. 14:1–21)

§18 Release of Debts and Slaves (Deut. 15:1–23)

§19 Israel’s Rhythm of Celebration: Three Annual Festivals (Deut. 16:1–17)

§20 Leadership in Israel: Judges and Kings (Deut. 16:18–17:20)

§21 Leadership in Israel: Priests and Prophets (Deut. 18:1–22)

§22 Manslaughter, Murder, and Malice (Deut. 19:1–21)

§23 Policies and Limits in the Conduct of War (Deut. 20:1–20)

§24 Rectifying Public and Private Wrongs ...