Deuteronomy 4:9-24

Against Idolatry

The truth that is beneath the whole Law: God is revealed not in images, but by words and deeds of redemption. Warned to lay their experience to heart (Deuteronomy 4:9), Israel are reminded of the revelation at Ḥoreb, solely by words and the covenant (Deuteronomy 4:10-14); let them recall they saw no form (Deuteronomy 4:15) lest they make any idol of any living thing in earth, air or sea (Deuteronomy 4:16-18) or worship the host of heaven, assigned by Jehovah to other peoples (Deuteronomy 4:19), but no gods for those whom He hath redeemed for Himself (Deuteronomy 4:20). For their sakes, Moses is not to cross Jordan (Deuteronomy 4:21 f.); so he enjoins them to take heed. Jehovah is a devouring fire (Deuteronomy 4:23 f.).

In substance the passage is a unity except perhaps Deuteronomy 4:19. In form it is in the Pl. address with a few transitions to the Sg.; all, except Deuteronomy 4:10, confirmed by Sam. and LXX. These are typical of the various causes which may have led to frequent transitions. The Sg. is logically explicable in Deuteronomy 4:9, perhaps too in 10; coincides in 19 with the only change of subject, and so possibly marks a later addition; in 21 may be due to the later addition of a formula; while 24 is possibly a quotation and the preceding theein 23 due to the attraction of its Sg. The language is in the main deuteronomic, but the section has been taken (along with 32 40) as from another hand than Deuteronomy 1:6 to Deuteronomy 4:8 (alternatively Deuteronomy 1:6 to Deuteronomy 4:4) on these grounds: that the same author would not have repeated in 21 f. what he has narrated in Deuteronomy 3:26; that 10 ff. imply that Moses is addressing the same generation as was alive at Ḥoreb and are therefore discrepant with Deuteronomy 1:35 ff. and Deuteronomy 2:16, while agreeing with the Second Discourse, cp. Deuteronomy 7:16; that of the phrases used some are found in D only in 5 26, 28 (lest thou forget, 9, 23, Deuteronomy 6:12; Deuteronomy 8:11; Deuteronomy 8:14; Deuteronomy 8:19; Deuteronomy 9:7; Deuteronomy 25:19; which thine eyes have seen, 9, Deuteronomy 7:19; Deuteronomy 10:21, cp. Deuteronomy 11:7; all the days of thy life, 9, Deuteronomy 6:2; Deuteronomy 16:3; Deuteronomy 17:19); others are found only in P (male and female, winged fowl, anything that creeps, 17 f.) or other late writers (figure, 16, iron furnace, 20). Note, too, people of inheritance, 20, for the usual peculiar people. The discrepancy (see below) is not conclusive; neither does the language necessarily imply an exilic date; even the phrases found elsewhere only in P are very general. The similarities to 5 26, 28 may imply a date subsequent to the latter; but are too few to render such an inference certain.