Deuteronomy 31:1

_AND MOSES WENT AND SPAKE THESE WORDS UNTO ALL ISRAEL._ And Moses went and spake, х_ WAYEELEK_ (H3212) _ MOSHEH_ (H4872) _ WAYªDABEER_ (H1696)]. 'And Moses continued to address these words.' This seems rather to be the import of the phraseology, than that, after a cessation of some interval, Moses repaired to the scene of the public assembly to speak to the people. It is probable that this rehearsal of the law extended over several successive days; and it might be the last and most important day on which the return of Moses to the place of assembly is specially noticed. In drawing his discourse toward a conclusion, he adverted to his advanced age; and although neither his physical nor intellectual powers had suffered any decay ...

1_And Moses went and spake these words. _By the word _went _he signifies that, having received the commands from God, he came to the people to report them. Hence we gather that they were warned in good time to beware, if they had been sensibly disposed. And it was necessary that the people should hear from his own mouth these addresses, which were by no means gratifying, as being full both of cruel threats and severe reproofs; for, if they had been delivered after his death, they would have straightway all exclaimed that they had been deceitfully devised by some one else, and thus that his name was falsely attached to them. Moreover, the peculiar time of their delivery did not a little avail to enhance their weight, so that the people should not only submit themselves with meekness and teachableness to his instruction at the moment, but also that it might remain hereafter deeply impresse...

1-8 Moses assures Israel of the constant presence of God with them. This is applied by the apostle to all God's spiritual Israel, to encourage their faith and hope; unto us is this gospel preached, as well as unto them; he will never fail thee, nor forsake thee, Hebrews 13:5. Moses commends Joshua to them for a leader; one whose wisdom, and courage, and affection they had long known; one whom God had appointed to be their leader; and therefore would own and bless. Joshua is well pleased to be admonished by Moses to be strong and of good courage. Those shall speed well, who have God with them; therefore they ought to be of good courage. Through God let us do valiantly, for through him we shall do victoriously; if we resist the devil, he will flee from us....

CHAPTER XXXI _Moses, being one hundred and twenty years old and about to die,_ _calls the people together, and exhorts them to courage and_ _obedience_, 1-6. _Delivers a charge to Joshua_, 7, 8. _Delivers the law which he hod written to the priests, with a_ _solemn charge that they should read it every seventh year,_ _publicly to all the people_, 9-13. _The Lord calls Moses and Joshua to the tabernacle_, 14. _He appears to them, informs Moses of his approaching death, and_ delivers to him a prophetical and historical song, or p

PART IV.—FAREWELL ADDRESS OF MOSES, WITH HIS PARTING SONG AND BENEDICTION. CHAPTERS 31-33. EXPOSITION _Moses _had now finished his work as the legislator and ruler and leader of Israel. But ere he finally retired from his place, he had to take order for the carrying forward of the work by the nomination of a successor to himself in the leadership; by committing the keeping of the Law to the priests; and by anew admonishing the people to obedience, encouraging them to go forward to the conquest of Canaan, animating them with the assurance of the Divine favor and blessing, and pronouncing on them his parting benediction. Deuteronomy

AND MOSES WENT AND SPAKE THESE WORDS UNTO ALL ISRAEL. The following words, even to the whole body of the people summoned together on this occasion. It seems that after Moses had made the covenant with them he was directed to, he dismissed the people to their tents, and went to his own, and now returned, having ordered them to meet him again, very probably at the tabernacle; with which agrees the Targum of Jonathan, he "went to the tabernacle of the house of doctrine;'' though, according to Aben Ezra, he went to the each tribes separately, as they lay encamped; his words are these, "he went to every tribe and tribe, to acquaint them that he was about to die, and that they might not be afraid, and to strengthen their hearts;'' he adds, "in my opinion he then blessed them, though their blessings are afterwards written;'' which is not improbable....

III. THE FINAL WORDS OF MOSES AND THE VISION OF THE FUTURE 1. Moses' Final Charge, The Written Law Delivered, and Jehovah's Word to Moses CHAPTER 31 _ 1. The final charge of Moses (Deuteronomy 31:1)_ 2. The written law delivered (Deuteronomy 31:9) 3. Jehovah's word to Moses--Moses to Joshua (Deuteronomy 31:14) 4. A prophecy (Deuteronomy 31:24) The final words of Moses to the people are full of tenderness and affection. There he stood, an hundred and twenty years old, a witness to the grace of His God. His eye was still the eye of youth, for it knew

DEUTERONOMY 31-34. Moses-' last words and the closing events of his life. The narrative parts (based on JE and in part on P) resemble chs. 1- 3, and are probably by the same author or compiler. Deuteronomy 32:1 (the Song of Moses) and Deuteronomy 33 (the Blessing of Moses) are independent pieces of unknown origin. DEUTERONOMY 31:1. See RV refs. for parallel passages. Deuteronomy 31:1. Read (with LXX), And when Moses had finished speaking these words, etc. Deuteronomy 31:7. go with: read (with Sam. Syr., Vulg., and two Heb. MSS), bring, as in...

THESE WORDS. The Massorah itself, with Targum of Onkelos, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "all these words". This is the beginning of the seventh address, which ends with Deuteronomy 31:6....

_went and spake these words_ This can only refer to something preceding; see small print above. But LXX read _finished speaking these words_....