Deuteronomy 27 - Introduction

D. Chs. 27 30. Closing Enforcements of the Law

First, directions as to rites on crossing the Jordan and at Shechem, contained in a composite ch., 27, which except in Deuteronomy 27:9 f. provides no link between chs. 26 and 28. Second, a discourse attributed to Moses, 28, which continues Deuteronomy 26:16-19, the epilogue to the Code, is probably original to D, and closing abruptly is connected by an editorial note, Deuteronomy 29:1 (Deut 28:69), with the following. Third, a somewhat parallel discourse, Deuteronomy 29:2-29, which is said to have been addressed by Moses to a national convocation, but is clearly from more than one hand and like parts of Deuteronomy 4:1-40 bears signs of composition during the Exile. N.B.Ch. Deuteronomy 29:1 of the EVV. is reckoned in the Heb. as Deut 28:69.

It is useful to recall some theories to which the difficult relations of these chs. to each other, to the Code, and to its Introd. Discourses have given rise. While their differences illustrate the complexity of the problems presented, there is general agreement: (1) upon the interruption which ch. 27 causes between chs. 26 and 28; (2) upon the possibility of Deuteronomy 27:9 f. as an original link between them; (3) on the derivation of Deuteronomy 27:5-7 afrom an earlier source, probably E; and (4) on the originality to D of the bulk of 28 or at least upon its being the natural sequel to 26.

Kuenen (Theol. Tijdschr. xii. 297 ff.) takes Deuteronomy 27:9 f. as original to D and the transition between Deuteronomy 4:45 to Deuteronomy 26:19 and Deuteronomy 28 (substantially original); the rest of Deuteronomy 27 is editorial with a pre-deuteron. injunction in Deuteronomy 27:5-7 a. So virtually Westphal (Sources du Pent.ii. 103 113). Wellhausen (Comp. des Hex.193), who limits the original D to 12 26, supposes this to have appeared in two edd., one with chs. 1 4 as introd. and ch. 27 as supplement and the other with chs. 5 11 as introd. and 28 30 as supplement. Driver (Deut.76) assigns to D Deuteronomy 27:9 f., Deuteronomy 28:1 to Deuteronomy 29:9; Deuteronomy 30:11-20, to Jeremiah 27:5-7 a, and the rest to D 2. Addis (Documents of the Hex.11) takes Deuteronomy 27:9 f. as -a natural though not indispensable link between Deuteronomy 27:26 and Deu 27:28," the bulk of the latter of which is -the natural sequel" to the Code, and 29 as a later editorial addition (as Dillm. had done); and (with Dillm., Cornill, etc.) sees in Deuteronomy 27:5-7 aa fragment from E. The Oxf. Hex.does not regard Deuteronomy 27:9 f. as needed to connect 26 and 28 (which -seems to be the sequel of Deuteronomy 26:16-19 ") and suggests Deuteronomy 31:24-29 as another connection for it. Cullen (Bk. of the Covt., etc. 98 ff.) takes Deuteronomy 27:1-8; Deuteronomy 28:1-45, Deut 28:69 29:14 and Deuteronomy 30:11-20 as part of the hortatory work (Miṣwah), the bulk of which was Deuteronomy 5:29 to Deuteronomy 11:28 and which he supposes was prior to the Code; he considers Deuteronomy 27:1-8 to have stood originally between Deuteronomy 10:20 f. and Deuteronomy 11:8,

CHAPTER 27

Procedure on Crossing Jordan, and at Shechem

The only part of this ch. which offers a connection between chs. 26 and 28 Isaiah vv9 f. (see small print above). The rest breaks the flow of Moses" discourse from 26 to 28; and its composite character is apparent not only from the changes in the form of address but from the presence of doublets, inconsistencies, and some data irrelevant to the legislation of D. It falls into four sections: 1 8 (itself composite; see below), Deuteronomy 27:9 f., Deuteronomy 27:11-13, and Deuteronomy 27:14-26.