These Are the Words . . .

1 These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel in the desert east of the Jordan—that is, in the Arabah—opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth and Dizahab.

Deu 1:1
These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel—At this pivotal point in Israel’s history—on the threshold of the Promised Land, and ready to adopt a true national identity, Moses spoke to Israel in this book of Deuteronomy.

The name Deuteronomy means “second law.” It was the second giving of the Mosaic Law, the first being at Mount Sinai. Moses felt compelled to bring this reminder of the Law to Israel, because those ready to enter the Promised Land were only children—if born at all—when the Law was originally given at Mount Sinai.

In the desert—They had come through a long, and difficult journey from Egypt—made all the more long and difficult because of their unbelief and the death of the adult generation which first came out of Egypt.

East of the Jordan—At this point Israel was camped on the great plains of Moab, able to see across the Jordan River into the Promised Land. This was the land of Canaan that God promised them but which they had not occupied for 400 years.

Guzik, David. "Study Guide for Deuteronomy 1." Enduring Word. Blue Letter Bible. 7 Jul 2006. 2010. 8 Jul 2010.
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Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of International Bible Society.

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