The Book of Deuteronomy - Preparation for the Promised Land

Deuteronomy, the fifth Book of the Jewish Torah and the Greek Pentateuch, was so named by the Greek version of the Old Testament the Septuagint (LXX). The book got its name by a misreading of Deut. 17:18 which indicates that the Book is “a copy or repetition of the Law previously given at Sinai”. Actually the Law given in Deuteronomy is somewhat different from the Sinai Law. Jews call the Book “Elleh haddevarim” meaning “These are the Words” or simply Devarim meaning “words”. In Jewish tradition it is called “Mishneh Torah” meaning a repetition or copy of the Law. In an event the Book is composed a speech of Moses given to the Israelites in Moab as they prepare to cross the Jordan to take possession of Canaan. The first law was given for the Israelites in the wilderness. This second law applies to an entirely new nation as they prepare to enter into Canaan.