Deuteronomy 29 - Introduction

Deuteronomy 29:2 (1) 30. A Discourse or Discourses

This section is presented as one discourse. The two chs. exhibit, however, such differences in address, in language and possibly (though this is not so clear) in standpoint that they can hardly have been originally a unity. Both, however, bear signs of an exilic date.

(1) Deuteronomy 29:2-29 (1 28) is in the Pl. address (except for 2 vv. in which the Sg. is explicable on logical grounds); 30 is in the Sg. address, except for some phrases in its conclusion (which may well be an editorial peroration to the whole group of addresses since Deuteronomy 26:16). (2) Deuteronomy 29:2-29 while using some deuteronomic formulas is characterised by a large number of phrases not found elsewhere in Deut. nor in the Hex. but occurring (more frequently) in Jer., Ezek. and exilic writings; while 30, though also containing parallels to Jer., is much more deuteronomic than 29 (3) Some also contrast Deuteronomy 29:29, which represents the future as still hidden with God, with Deuteronomy 30:1-10 which reveals that when the exiled Israel repents, God will restore the nation to its land. But the meaning of Deuteronomy 29:29 is not quite clear, and its connection with the rest of 29 uncertain.

Deuteronomy 29:2-29 (1 28)

Moses, addressing all Israel, recalls what Jehovah has done in Egypt (Deuteronomy 29:1-3) (vv. though Israel have not had the spiritual power to appreciate this, Deuteronomy 29:4), and in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 29:5 f.), and to Siḥon and -Og (Deuteronomy 29:7 f.); and exhorts them to keep His covenant (Deuteronomy 29:9). To this the whole nation, even including women, children, gçrîmand serfs, and both the present and future generations, is a party (Deuteronomy 29:10-15); and the need for it Israel themselves have seen in the idolatries of the nations through whom they have passed (Deuteronomy 29:16 f.). Let no individual, family, or tribe turn to such idolatry, for its consequences shall be not only their own destruction but that of the nation (Deuteronomy 29:18-21); the plagues of the land and the exile of the people shall be proof to later generations that Israel forsook Jehovah's covenant for other gods (Deuteronomy 29:22-28). Secret things (vv. i.e. the future) are with God, the things revealed(i.e. the law) are Israel's, and to be carried out by them. In the Pl. address, except for some quotations in Deuteronomy 29:3 and Deuteronomy 29:10 f., and Deuteronomy 29:12 where the change to the Sg. is explicable (see note). The comparatively small use of deuteronomic phrases, and the peculiarly large number of phrases not elsewhere found in Deut. but frequent in Jer. and Ezek. or found in exilic and post-exilic writings, may be seen from the notes. Deuteronomy 29:11 reflects late social conditions, and Deuteronomy 29:28 betrays a date in the Exile.