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Word Biblical Commentary, Volume 6B: Deuteronomy 21:10–34:12 is unavailable, but you can change that!

For centuries the book of Deuteronomy has been studied as a compilation of three sermons followed by three appendices. In his penetrating new study of this fifth book of the Pentateuch, Duane Christensen argues that “Deuteronomy is best explained as a didactic poem, composed to be recited publicly to music in ancient Israel within a liturgical setting.” Christensen calls readers to understand...

by choosing to “worship other gods and … serve them” is to choose the way of death—“you will surely perish.” 19–20 In the treaty texts of the ancient Near East, “the heavens and the earth” are included as deities cited to witness the treaty (see in particular PRU IV, 17.365 and 17.338; and Craigie’s discussion [1976] 139). In Deuteronomy they are not considered to be gods as such, but metaphorical “witnesses.” A person chooses to love God “by obeying his voice and by cleaving to him.” The reading
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