ESV Global Study Bible :: Footnotes for Deuteronomy 1

Deut. 1:1–5 Prologue. Beginning with this prologue, there are a number of similarities between the structure of Deuteronomy and ancient treaty documents (see chart).

Deut. 1:1 In the Hebrew Bible, the name for the book of Deuteronomy is taken from the opening phrase, These are the words. Most of Deuteronomy, through ch. 30, is the spoken words of Moses. Moses has been Israel’s leader since he was called by God (Exodus 3). Deuteronomy is Moses’ final speech before his death. beyond the Jordan. That is, east of the Jordan River, on the north end of the Dead Sea. Since leaving Egypt and crossing the Red Sea (Exodus 14–15), Israel has been in the wilderness for 40 years. Arabah. The low Jordan Valley and area surrounding the Dead Sea.

Deut. 1:2–4 These verses emphasize that it was only an eleven days’ journey from Mount Sinai to the Promised Land, and yet it had taken the Israelites 40 years to get there (fortieth year). The long delay was God’s punishment for Israel’s initial failure to trust him to bring them into the land (Num. 14:26–35). according to all that the Lord had given him. Deuteronomy rarely distinguishes between God’s words and Moses’ words. defeated Sihon . . . and Og. See Num. 21:21–35.

Deut. 1:2 Horeb is the name Deuteronomy uses for Mount Sinai (except at 33:2). This is where Israel received the commandments (Ex. 19:1–Num. 10:12). Kadesh-barnea. A town on the southern border of the Promised Land where Israel camped (Num. 13:26).

Deut. 1:5 Moab is east of the Jordan River. Israel had not fought against Moab on the way to the Promised Land. This law refers to the entire law given to Israel at Sinai (Ex. 19:1–Num. 10:12). Moses’ task is not simply to repeat that law but to explain it.

Deut. 1:6–4:43 Moses’ First Speech: Historical Prologue. Moses’ first speech reviews Israel’s past failure at Kadesh; its passing through Edom, Moab, and Ammon without fighting; its successes over Heshbon and Bashan; and the distribution of those two lands. The purpose of chs. 1–3 is not simply to retell history but to use history to persuade Israel to trust God so that they can conquer the land. Chapter 4 is a transition from the history in chs. 1–3 to the repetition of the Ten Commandments in ch. 5.

Deut. 1:6–8 Moses’ first sermon begins by focusing on the land.

Deut. 1:6 Deuteronomy typically names God as the Lord our (or your) God. “Lord” is Yahweh, the personal and covenantal name for God revealed to Moses (Ex. 3:13–15; see note on Gen. 2:4).

Deut. 1:7 Turn and take your journey. Israel began their journey from Sinai in Num. 10:11. At this time in history, the terms Amorites and Canaanites essentially referred to the same people, the occupants of Canaan.

Deut. 1:8 See. From the plains of Moab, Israel can now survey the land before it. The promise of land was made first to Abraham (Gen. 12:7; 15:18–21), repeated to Isaac (Gen. 26:4), and then to Jacob (Gen. 28:13; 35:12), including land for their offspring after them.

Deut. 1:10 The people should believe God’s promise to bring them into the land of Canaan, because he has already fulfilled his promise that Abraham’s descendants would be as numerous as the stars of heaven (see Gen. 15:5).

Deut. 1:13 The people had nominated the judges and Moses confirmed them. Exodus 18:25 says simply that Moses chose them.

Deut. 1:16–17 alien. Aliens were non-Israelites who resided in the land and accepted Israelite rule and law. They did not own land and so were vulnerable to oppression.

Deut. 1:20–21 And I said to you. Almost all of those who were adults when they came out of Egypt had died by this time because of their earlier refusal to enter the land (see Num. 14:26–35). Yet when Moses describes those earlier failures, he addresses his current audience as “you,” as if they themselves were responsible for those failures. The current generation assumes responsibility for their parents’ sin. Do not fear. God alone is to be feared (Deut. 10:12; 13:4).

Deut. 1:23–25 twelve men. See Num. 13:4–16. The Valley of Eshcol is close to Hebron and is still renowned for its fruit.

Deut. 1:28 Anakim were reputed to be giants (Num. 13:33; compare Deut. 9:2).

Deut. 1:29–31 before your eyes . . . you have seen. Moses addresses his audience as though they were there with the previous generation (see note on vv. 20–21). carried you, as a man carries his son. The image is tender and loving, disproving the false claim of v. 27.

Deut. 1:32–33 you did not believe. Their rebellion (v. 26) was a result of their unbelief. in fire by night and in the cloud by day. See Ex. 13:21.

Deut. 1:36 Caleb was one of the 12 spies (Num. 13:30). He encouraged the people to enter the land. wholly followed. See Num. 14:24.

Deut. 1:37–38 Even with me. Moses’ failure occurred when he disobeyed the Lord’s instructions at Meribah (see Num. 20:2–13 and note). on your account. Moses says that his own sin was provoked by Israel. See also Deut. 3:26; 4:21; 32:51. Joshua the son of Nun was Moses’ assistant (Ex. 24:13) and one of the 12 spies (Num. 13:8). With Caleb, he encouraged the people to enter the land (Num. 14:6–9). Joshua became Israel’s leader after Moses (Num. 27:18–23; Deut. 31:3).

Deut. 1:39 Who today have no knowledge of good or evil probably refers to young children not old enough to know right and wrong. They would not have been part of the earlier rebellion.

Deut. 1:42–44 If God did not fight for Israel, defeat was certain (compare v. 30). chased you as bees do. Compare Ex. 23:28. Instead of fighting for Israel, God fought against it.