What is the meaning of Deuteronomy 31?

Introduction to Deuteronomy 31

Deuteronomy 31 marks a profound transition in Israel’s history as Moses prepares for his departure and the mantle of leadership passes to Joshua. This pivotal chapter captures Moses’ final acts of commissioning Joshua, delivering the written Torah to the Levites, and commanding the regular public reading of the Law. The emotional weight of this transition is palpable as Moses, at 120 years old, acknowledges that he will not cross the Jordan, yet ensures Israel’s future by establishing systems for preserving and transmitting God’s Word to future generations.

Context of Deuteronomy 31

Within the book of Deuteronomy, chapter 31 serves as a crucial bridge between Moses’ final discourse to Israel and his prophetic song and blessing in the following chapters. It follows the renewal of the covenant in chapter 30 and precedes Moses’ powerful song in chapter 32. This positioning emphasizes the chapter’s role in transitioning from the era of Moses to that of Joshua, from the wilderness generation to those who will inherit the Promised Land.

In the broader biblical narrative, this chapter resonates deeply with themes of leadership succession, covenant faithfulness, and divine preservation of His Word. It establishes patterns that will echo throughout Israel’s history, from the transition of prophetic authority to the importance of public Torah reading, later reflected in practices from the Second Temple period to modern synagogue services. The chapter’s emphasis on writing and preserving God’s Word foreshadows the formation of the biblical canon itself.

Ancient Key Word Study

• “Be strong and courageous” (חֲזַק וֶאֱמָץ, chazak ve’ematz) – This repeated phrase combines two Hebrew words for strength. חֲזַק (chazak) implies physical strength and holding firm, while אמץ (amatz) suggests mental courage and resolution. The repetition emphasizes both physical and spiritual preparedness needed for leadership.
• “Go” (בוא, bo) – Used in verse 7, this verb carries more weight than simple movement. In Hebrew thought, it implies entering into a new role or destiny, similar to its use in Ruth 3:13 regarding redemption.
• “Write” (כָּתַב, katav) – The command to write the Torah appears here, emphasizing the transition from oral to written transmission. This root word forms the basis for “Ketuvim” (Writings), one of the three divisions of the Hebrew Bible.
• “Teaching” (לִמַּד, limad) – This verbal root emphasizes not just instruction but internalization. It’s related to the word “talmid” (disciple) and suggests a comprehensive approach to education that transforms the learner.
• “Hide My face” (הסתר אסתיר, haster astir) – This doubled form in Hebrew creates emphasis, suggesting complete withdrawal of divine presence. Ironically, this phrase appears in the book of Esther (where God’s name is hidden) and here foreshadows Israel’s future struggles.
• “Testimony” (עֵד, ed) – The Torah is called a testimony, from a root meaning to repeat or return. It serves as an eternal witness to God’s covenant with Israel.
• “Gather” (קָהַל, qahal) – The root of the word “kehillah” (congregation), this term emphasizes the corporate nature of Torah reading and learning, establishing a pattern for communal worship.

Compare & Contrast

• Moses’ statement “I am no longer able to go out and come in” (verse 2) uses idiom that literally means “exit and enter” (לָצֵאת וְלָבוֹא). This phrase was chosen over simpler alternatives because it represents full capacity for leadership in Hebrew thought, similar to modern English “coming and going.” The doubled motion verbs create a merism suggesting completeness.
• The phrase “Be strong and courageous” is repeated three times (verses 6, 7, 23), each time with slightly different Hebrew construction. The variation suggests different aspects of strength needed: national courage, personal leadership strength, and divine empowerment.
• The instruction to “read this law” (verse 11) uses קָרָא (qara) rather than alternatives like הָגָה (hagah, meditate) or לָמַד (lamad, study), emphasizing public proclamation over private study. This choice established the pattern for public Torah readings.
• The phrase “write this song” (verse 19) uses שִׁירָה (shirah) rather than מִזְמוֹר (mizmor, psalm) or זֶמֶר (zemer, melody), suggesting a specific prophetic genre meant for teaching and memory.

Deuteronomy 31 Unique Insights

The chapter contains a fascinating insight into divine pedagogy through its introduction of the concept of “shirat ha’edut” (the song of testimony). According to the Zohar, this song (detailed in chapter 32) operates on multiple levels simultaneously – historical, prophetic, and mystical. The command to write and teach this song suggests that musical memory serves as a powerful tool for preserving truth across generations.

The timing of this transition – with Moses at exactly 120 years old – carries deep significance in Jewish thought. The Midrash notes that Moses’ life was divided into three perfect periods of 40 years each: in Egypt, in Midian, and leading Israel. This pattern of 40 appears throughout Scripture as a number of testing and transformation, suggesting that leadership transitions often follow periods of divine preparation.

The chapter’s emphasis on writing the Torah marks a crucial moment in redemptive history – the transition from purely oral transmission to written scripture. The Talmud (Gittin 60a) uses this passage to discuss the delicate balance between written and oral Torah, noting that even the written Torah requires oral explanation to be properly understood. This dynamic tension between written text and living interpretation would later find its ultimate expression in Yeshua, the Living Word.

Deuteronomy 31 Connections to Yeshua

The leadership transition from Moses to Joshua presents a clear type of the transition from Law to Grace through Yeshua. Joshua (Yehoshua) shares the same Hebrew name as Yeshua, and like our Messiah, leads God’s people into their inheritance. Moses’ acknowledgment that he cannot bring the people into the Promised Land illustrates Galatians 3:24-25, showing how the Law prepares us for but cannot accomplish our full redemption.

The chapter’s emphasis on preserving and publicly reading God’s Word foreshadows Yeshua’s role as the Living Torah. Just as the written Torah was given to provide guidance and testimony, Yeshua came as the Word made flesh (John 1:14), perfectly embodying and fulfilling God’s instructions. The command to write “this song” points to the new song of redemption that believers will sing, as described in Revelation 5:9.

Deuteronomy 31 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter’s themes resonate throughout Scripture. The commissioning of Joshua parallels Elijah’s passing of authority to Elisha (2 Kings 2) and Paul’s mentoring of Timothy (2 Timothy 2:2). The emphasis on public Torah reading finds fulfillment in Ezra’s public reading (Nehemiah 8:1-8) and Yeshua’s reading in the synagogue (Luke 4:16-21).

The warning of future apostasy and God hiding His face foreshadows Israel’s cycles of rebellion and restoration throughout Judges and Kings. Yet this theme of divine “hiding” ultimately points to the moment of darkness at the cross when the Father turned His face from the Son (Matthew 27:46), bearing our separation so we might know His presence forever.

Deuteronomy 31 Devotional

This chapter challenges us to consider how we handle life’s transitions and preserve God’s truth for future generations. Moses’ example teaches us to finish well, focusing not on our limitations but on establishing others in God’s Word and ways. His concern for future generations reminds us that our spiritual legacy isn’t just about our own relationship with God but about ensuring others can find and follow Him after we’re gone.

The repeated command to “be strong and courageous” speaks to everyone facing seemingly impossible tasks. Like Joshua, we can find courage not in our own abilities but in God’s promise to never leave or forsake us. This chapter reminds us that true strength comes from knowing and standing on God’s Word, regularly reading and meditating on it within community.

Did You Know

• The phrase “be strong and courageous” (chazak ve’ematz) appears more times in this single chapter than anywhere else in the Torah, emphasizing its crucial importance for transitions.
• Moses wrote this passage at exactly 120 years old, the same age that Noah began building the ark, suggesting a connection between preservation through water (Noah) and preservation through Word (Moses).
• The command to read the Torah publicly every seven years at Sukkot created the foundation for the modern synagogue Torah reading cycle.
• The Hebrew word for “song” (shirah) in verse 19 appears in feminine form, which Jewish tradition connects to the feminine aspect of wisdom preserving truth through generations.
• The age of 120 mentioned by Moses became a traditional blessing in Jewish culture: “May you live to 120!”
• The positioning of the Torah beside the Ark mentioned in verse 26 influenced the modern design of synagogue arks, where Torah scrolls are kept on the eastern wall.
• The phrase “heaven and earth as witnesses” connects to ancient Near Eastern treaty formats, where divine witnesses were called to enforce covenants.
• Joshua’s commissioning ceremony described here became a model for rabbinic ordination (semicha) ceremonies.
• The concept of written testimony introduced here influenced the development of Jewish legal documents throughout history.
• The timing of the public Torah reading at Sukkot connected it to the Feast of Tabernacles, symbolizing God’s Word dwelling among His people.