* New Beacon Bible Commentary

DEUTERONOMY

A Commentary in the Wesleyan Tradition

Stephen G. Green

BEACON HILL PRESS

of kansas city

Copyright 2016

by Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City

ISBN 978-0-8341-3261-0

Cover Design: J.R. Caines

Unless otherwise indicated all Scripture quotations are from the Holy Bible, New International Version® (NIV®). Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. Throughout this commentary, author’s emphasis is indicated by italic in lightface quotations and underlining in bold quotations.

The New Revised Standard Version (NRSV) of the Bible, copyright 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. All rights reserved.

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Names: Green, Stephen G., 1952- author.

Title: Deuteronomy / Stephen G. Green.

Description: Kansas City, MO : Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City, 2016. |

Series: New Beacon Bible commentary | Includes bibliographical references.

Identifiers: LCCN 2015045900 | ISBN 9780834132405 (pbk.)

Subjects: LCSH: Bible. Deuteronomy—Commentaries.

Classification: LCC BS1275.53 .G74 2016 | DDC 222/.1507—dc23 LC record available at http://lccn.loc.gov/2015045900

DEDICATION

To Elaine

The love of my life, an exemplar of someone who

follows the Lord wholeheartedly …

(Deut. 1:36)

COMMENTARY EDITORS

General Editors

Alex Varughese

Ph.D., Drew University

Professor of Biblical Literature

Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Mount Vernon, Ohio

Roger Hahn

Ph.D., Duke University

Dean of the Faculty

Professor of New Testament

Nazarene Theological Seminary

Kansas City, Missouri

George Lyons

Ph.D., Emory University

Professor of New Testament

Northwest Nazarene University

Nampa, Idaho

Section Editors

Robert Branson

Ph.D., Boston University

Professor of Biblical Literature Emeritus

Olivet Nazarene University

Bourbonnais, Illinois

Alex Varughese

Ph.D., Drew University

Professor of Biblical Literature

Mount Vernon Nazarene University

Mount Vernon, Ohio

Jim Edlin

Ph.D., Southern Baptist Theological Seminary

Professor of Biblical Literature and Languages

Chair, Division of Religion and Philosophy

MidAmerica Nazarene University

Olathe, Kansas

Kent Brower

Ph.D., The University of Manchester

Vice Principal

Senior Lecturer in Biblical Studies

Nazarene Theological College

Manchester, England

George Lyons

Ph.D., Emory University

Professor of New Testament

Northwest Nazarene University

Nampa, Idaho

CONTENTS

General Editors’ Preface

Acknowledgments

Abbreviations

Bibliography

Table of Sidebars

INTRODUCTION

A. Where Does Deuteronomy Come From, and Where Is It Going?

B. What Are the Themes of Deuteronomy?

C. What Is the Structure of Deuteronomy and Why?

COMMENTARY

I. Remember the Past, Do Not Forget (1:1–4:40)

A. Introduction (1:1–5)

B. Resume the Journey (1:6–8)

C. Just Leaders (1:9–18)

D. Fear and Refusal to Enter the Land (1:19–46)

E. Journey in the Wilderness (2:1–3:22)

1. The Wilderness Years ...