FocusSuccession, witness, and blessing
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Joshua is commissioned, the law and song are entrusted to the people, and Moses blesses Israel before his death.
interpretation Deuteronomy 31:2
KJVAnd he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
Read it in context
Joshua to Succeed Moses
Start reading at Deuteronomy 31:1 (Deuteronomy 31:1 to Deuteronomy 31:8).
An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Joshua is commissioned, the law and song are entrusted to the people, and Moses blesses Israel before his death.
- 31:1 And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel.
- 31:2 And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
- 31:3 The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said.
- 31:4 And the LORD shall do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og, kings of the Amorites, and unto the land of them, whom he destroyed.
- 31:5 And the LORD shall give them up before your face, that ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you.
- 31:6 Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
- 31:7 And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.
- 31:8 And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
Who
- Who wrote the book? Moses is the principal speaker and is expressly credited with writing the law. The account of his death was supplied by a later hand; identifying that final writer as Joshua is traditional, not certain. Biblical references: Deuteronomy 31:9; Deuteronomy 31:24; Deuteronomy 34:5. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). stated in the text
- Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Deuteronomy 31:1–31:30): Moses addresses Israel and Joshua, and commissions the priests and elders to preserve and read the law to the assembled people. stated in the text
- Who was the book written to? Israel assembled in Moab before entering Canaan, and their children and later generations who were to hear the law read. Biblical references: Deuteronomy 1:1; Deuteronomy 29:10; Deuteronomy 31:12. stated in the text
What
- What is the topic of this reading unit? Joshua to Succeed Moses. Read Deuteronomy 31:1 through Deuteronomy 31:8 as a connected unit. interpretation
- How does it contribute to the book? This opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Joshua is commissioned, the law and song are entrusted to the people, and Moses blesses Israel before his death. interpretation
When
- When are the events or message set? Moses speaks at the end of the wilderness period, before Israel crosses the Jordan. Deuteronomy 1:3 identifies the fortieth year and gives a month and day. book background
Where
- What is the book’s geographic setting? The speeches are set in Moab east of the Jordan, recalling earlier places and anticipating life in Canaan. book background
- Where does the context start? This passage sits in Joshua to Succeed Moses (Deuteronomy 31:1 to Deuteronomy 31:8). Start reading at Deuteronomy 31:1. An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.
How
- How does this book connect with Jesus Christ? Acts applies Moses' promise of a prophet to Jesus, and Jesus uses Deuteronomy in His answers during temptation. These are explicit New Testament connections to the book. See Deuteronomy 18:15, Acts 3:22, Matthew 4:4, Matthew 4:7. interpretation
- How should this book guide our response? Remember what God has done and join hearing with obedience. Preserve the covenant audience and conditions when applying promises about land, blessing, judgment, and return. interpretation
Cited: Deuteronomy 31:1, Deuteronomy 31:8, Deuteronomy 18:15, Acts 3:22, Matthew 4:4, Matthew 4:7
Who wrote it, and how we know
Moses (traditional)
Named in Scripture
What Scripture saysThe book states plainly that Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests. Jesus and the apostles attribute the Law to Moses.
Deuteronomy 31:9Deuteronomy 31:24Mark 12:26John 5:46
Early traditionJewish tradition (Baba Bathra 14b) and the early church name Moses.
What is debatedChapter 34 records the death of Moses, so even conservative scholars hold that a later hand, often identified as Joshua, added the closing account. Critical scholars date the book much later, to the seventh century B.C.
Related passages
- I am an Deut 34:7 Exod 7:7 Josh 14:10-11 Ps 90:10 Acts 7:23
- I can no more Deut 34:7 Num 27:17 2 Sam 21:17 1 Kgs 3:7
- Thou shalt not Deut 3:26-27 Deut 4:21-22 Deut 32:48-52 Num 20:12 Num 27:13-14 Acts 20:25 2 Pet 1:13-14
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Deuteronomy 31
Moses addresses Israel in Moab before the people cross the Jordan. The speeches recall the wilderness, expound covenant obligations, and confront the next generation with choices and consequences. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Deuteronomy 1:1 Deuteronomy 1:5 Deuteronomy 30:19
The Reading of the Law
Deuteronomy 31:9–13FocusSuccession, witness, and blessing
Connection to the wholeJoshua is commissioned, the law and song are entrusted to the people, and Moses blesses Israel before his death.
interpretation God Commissions Joshua
Deuteronomy 31:14–23FocusSuccession, witness, and blessing
Connection to the wholeJoshua is commissioned, the law and song are entrusted to the people, and Moses blesses Israel before his death.
interpretation The Law Placed in the Ark
Deuteronomy 31:24–29FocusSuccession, witness, and blessing
Connection to the wholeJoshua is commissioned, the law and song are entrusted to the people, and Moses blesses Israel before his death.
interpretation Moses Begins His Song
Deuteronomy 31:30–30FocusSuccession, witness, and blessing
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Joshua is commissioned, the law and song are entrusted to the people, and Moses blesses Israel before his death.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Deuteronomy
Moses addresses Israel in Moab before the people cross the Jordan. The speeches recall the wilderness, expound covenant obligations, and confront the next generation with choices and consequences.
Deuteronomy 1:1 Deuteronomy 1:5 Deuteronomy 30:19
Remember the journey and hear the LORD
Deuteronomy 1:1–4:43FocusMemory and covenant faithfulness
Connection to the wholeMoses recounts the journey and urges Israel to remember God's acts and avoid idolatry as the people prepare to enter the land.
interpretation Love and obey the LORD
Deuteronomy 4:44–11:32FocusThe covenant's central demand
Connection to the wholeThe covenant commands and appeals join exclusive devotion to the LORD with hearing, remembering, teaching, and obeying His words.
interpretation Life in the land
Deuteronomy 12:1–26:19FocusWorship, justice, and community
Connection to the wholeDetailed commands apply covenant faithfulness to public worship, leadership, households, work, and the care of vulnerable people.
interpretation Covenant ratification and the choice of life
Deuteronomy 27:1–30:20FocusBlessing, curse, and return
Connection to the wholeThe speeches set out covenant consequences and call Israel to choose life through love and obedience rather than presume upon privilege.
interpretation FocusSuccession, witness, and blessing
Connection to the wholeJoshua is commissioned, the law and song are entrusted to the people, and Moses blesses Israel before his death.
interpretation Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.