Deuteronomy 4:44

And this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel.

And this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel: This is the law which Moses set.

Which hath been generally intimated already, but is more particularly and punctually expressed in the following chapter, to which these words are a preface.

Deuteronomy 4:44 And this [is] the law which Moses set before the children of Israel:Ver. 44. And this is the law.] That is, This that followeth in the next chapter, whereunto these verses serve for a preface.

SECOND .(44-49) These words form an introduction to the second discourse, which occupies the larger portion of the book—from Deuteronomy 5:1 to the end of Deuteronomy 26. There is no real break between. The present introduction differs from what we find in Deuteronomy 1:1. There is no intimation that this portion of Deuteronomy was a repetition of what had been delivered between Sinai and Kadesh-barnea. What follows is said to have been spoken in the land of Sihon and Og, after the conquest by Israel. (46) On this side Jordan.—Literally, on the other side. The same expression in Deuteronomy 4:47 is defined by the addition, “toward the sun-rising.” The whole passage (Deuteronomy 4:44-49) may be editorial, and added by Joshua in Canaan. But there is no necessity for this view. (48) Mount Sion.—See Note on Deuteronomy 3:9.

44–49. Introduction (or Introductions) to the following Discourses and Laws (5–26) The appearance of a fresh heading at this point—between the two distinct sets of discourses Deuteronomy 1:6 to Deuteronomy 4:40 and Deuteronomy 5-11, which are further separated by the historical fragment, Deuteronomy 4:41-43—raises questions at the heart of the problem of the structure of the book of Deuteronomy. Does it signify that once the book began here and consisted only of the discourses 5–11 and the laws 12–26; Deuteronomy 1:6 to Deuteronomy 4:40 having been prefixed later? So Graf, Kue., Wellh., König, etc. Or is the appearance of the heading just here compatible with the theory that the whole of 1–26 is the work of one author? So Dillm. and Driver on the ground that a new title would not be unnatural where the actual exposition of the law at last begins (Deuteronomy 1:6 to Deuteronomy 4:40 having been mainly historical). Other alternatives arise from the structure of the heading. Like that in Deuteronomy 1:1-5 it is apparently composite. Deuteronomy 4:44-45 seem two independent titles; Deuteronomy 4:46-49 not only accumulate details after the manner of some other titles in the O.T. but contain a slight difference of style: in 47 D’s towards the sunrising, but in 49 P’s shorter form of the same (see on Deuteronomy 4:41 and the notes below). Other non-deuteronomic phrases are set before and children of Israel, thrice (see below on Deuteronomy 4:44); but both the contents, and with one exception the language, of 46–49 closely recall parts of chs. 2 and 3. Recently there has been a general disposition to break up the heading. Steuernagel supposes 44 and 45 to be respectively the titles of the two documents, in the Sg. and in the Pl. form of address, which he traces throughout chs. 5 ff.; Bertholet takes 44 as the transition from the first introductory address, 1–3, to the legislation proper, 12–26; and 45–49 as an introduction to ch. 5; Cullen takes 44 with 45c, 46a as the title to the original environment of the Law code or ‘Torah,’ but 45ab, 46bc as that of the first combined edition of the ‘Miṣ ?wah’ and ‘Torah’ (see Introd. § 1). The variety of these hypotheses alone shows their precariousness; and there is this further objection to finding in the double title, 44 and 45, headings to the original documents of D, viz. that even in these verses non-deuteronomic phrases occur. The whole passage looks editorial: one piece (Dillmann) in the cumulative style beloved by later scribes rather than a growth from an original nucleus (Driver). Why then was it inserted just here? Dillm.’s and Driver’s answer, because at last with ch. 5 begins the actual exposition of the law, is hardly relevant; because in that case Deuteronomy 4:44 or Deuteronomy 4:45 would have contained some such verb as the expound which we find in the title Deuteronomy 1:5. Indeed, that title is more suitable here than where it stands, for it describes better the expository and hortatory character of 5 ff.

These verses would be more properly assigned to the next chapter. They are intended to serve as the announcement and introduction of the address now to be commenced.

Second Discourse, Deuteronomy 4:44 to Deuteronomy 16:19. .44.