Deuteronomy
Moses' farewell sermons on the plains of Moab, retelling Israel's history, restating the Law, and calling a new generation to love the Lord and choose life.
34 chapters · read each one, then take its quiz
Sign in to start this plan and track your progress.
Sign in to start- 1Deuteronomy 1: Moses Recalls Horeb and Kadesh
In the fortieth year, on the plains of Moab, Moses begins his farewell speeches by recalling the command to leave Horeb and the appointment of judges. He retells how Israel refused to enter the land at Kadesh despite the Lord's care, and how their presumptuous attack ended in defeat.
- 2Deuteronomy 2: Journeys Past Edom, Moab, and Ammon
Moses recalls how Israel wandered until the unbelieving generation died, and how the Lord forbade them to take land from Edom, Moab, and Ammon, whom he had given their own territories. The Lord then hardened the heart of Sihon, king of Heshbon, and gave Israel victory over him.
- 3Deuteronomy 3: Victory over Og and Moses' Plea
The Lord delivers Og king of Bashan and his sixty cities to Israel, and the land east of the Jordan is given to Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh. Moses pleads to cross into the land, but the Lord refuses, letting him view it from Pisgah and telling him to encourage Joshua.
- 4Deuteronomy 4: Call to Obedience and Warning Against Idolatry
Moses urges Israel to keep God's commands, which show their wisdom to the nations. Since they saw no form at Horeb, they must make no idols. If they turn to idols they will be scattered, but if they seek the Lord with all their heart they will find him, for the Lord alone is God.
- 5Deuteronomy 5: The Ten Commandments Repeated
Moses reminds Israel that the Lord made a covenant with them at Horeb, and he repeats the Ten Commandments, grounding the Sabbath in their redemption from slavery. The terrified people had asked Moses to hear God for them, and God longed for them to have hearts to obey.
- 6Deuteronomy 6: Hear, O Israel
Moses declares that the Lord is one and commands Israel to love him with all their heart, soul, and strength. They must keep his words on their hearts, teach them to their children, and not forget the Lord when they enjoy the prosperity of the land he gives them.
- 7Deuteronomy 7: A Holy and Chosen People
Israel must destroy the nations of Canaan and their idols and not intermarry with them, for they are a people holy to the Lord. God chose them not because they were many but because he loved them and kept his oath, and he will drive out their enemies little by little.
- 8Deuteronomy 8: Remember the Lord in Prosperity
Moses reminds Israel that God humbled and tested them in the wilderness, feeding them with manna to teach that life depends on God's word, not food alone. In the good land, they must not forget the Lord or think their own power gave them wealth, or they will perish like the nations.
- 9Deuteronomy 9: Not Because of Israel's Righteousness
The Lord will drive out the nations because of their wickedness, not because of Israel's righteousness, for Israel is stubborn. Moses recalls the golden calf, how he broke the tablets, and how he lay before the Lord forty days pleading for the people on the basis of God's promise.
- 10Deuteronomy 10: The New Tablets and What the Lord Requires
The Lord gives Moses new tablets, which are placed in the ark, and sets apart the tribe of Levi. Moses asks what the Lord requires: to fear him, walk in his ways, love and serve him, and circumcise their hearts, loving the foreigner as God does, for he is God of gods.
- 11Deuteronomy 11: Love and Obey the Lord
Israel is to love the Lord and remember his mighty acts, which they saw with their own eyes. The promised land depends on rain from the Lord, who will bless obedience and withhold rain for idolatry. Moses sets before them a blessing and a curse, to be proclaimed at Gerizim and Ebal.
- 12Deuteronomy 12: The Place the Lord Will Choose
Israel must destroy every Canaanite place of worship and bring their offerings only to the place the Lord will choose for his name, rejoicing there with their households and the Levites. They may eat meat in their towns but must not eat blood or copy the nations' worship.
- 13Deuteronomy 13: Warnings Against False Prophets
If a prophet, a dreamer, or even a close family member entices Israel to serve other gods, they must not listen, even if a sign comes true, for the Lord is testing them. Such enticers are to be put to death, and a town that turns to idolatry must be devoted to destruction.
- 14Deuteronomy 14: Clean Food and the Tithe
As the Lord's treasured people, Israel must not cut themselves in mourning. Moses lists the animals they may and may not eat and commands a yearly tithe eaten before the Lord at his chosen place, with every third year's tithe stored for the Levites, foreigners, orphans, and widows.
- 15Deuteronomy 15: The Year of Release
Every seventh year Israel must cancel debts owed by fellow Israelites and give generously to the poor without a grudging heart. Hebrew servants are to be released in the seventh year with generous provisions, unless they choose to stay for life, and firstborn animals belong to the Lord.
- 16Deuteronomy 16: Passover, Weeks, and Booths
Moses commands Israel to celebrate Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Booths at the place the Lord chooses, rejoicing and giving as the Lord has blessed them. Judges must judge fairly and never accept bribes.
- 17Deuteronomy 17: Justice, Courts, and the King
Idolaters must be put to death only on the testimony of two or three witnesses, and hard cases go to the priests and judge at the central place. A future king must be chosen by the Lord, must not multiply horses, wives, or wealth, and must write and read a copy of the law.
- 18Deuteronomy 18: Priests, Levites, and the Prophet Like Moses
The Levites have no inheritance, for the Lord is their inheritance, and they are supported by the people's offerings. Israel must reject divination, sorcery, and mediums. God promises to raise up a prophet like Moses, and a prophet whose word does not come true is false.
- 19Deuteronomy 19: Cities of Refuge and Witnesses
Israel is to set apart cities of refuge where someone who kills another accidentally can flee, but a murderer must be handed over to the avenger of blood. Boundary markers must not be moved, and a false witness receives the punishment he intended for the accused.
- 20Deuteronomy 20: Laws of Warfare
Israel must not fear larger armies, for the Lord fights for them. Men who are newly married, fearful, or have a new house or vineyard are sent home. Distant cities are offered peace first, but the cities of Canaan are devoted to destruction, and fruit trees must be spared.
- 21Deuteronomy 21: Unsolved Murder and Family Laws
When a murder is unsolved, the nearest town's elders must atone with a heifer and a prayer. Laws follow for captive wives, the firstborn's double portion, and a persistently rebellious son. A hanged criminal's body must be buried the same day, since one hanged on a tree is cursed.
- 22Deuteronomy 22: Neighborly Duties and Sexual Purity
Israel must return a neighbor's lost property and help a fallen animal, keep distinctions between male and female clothing, spare a mother bird, and build roof railings. Laws follow for forbidden mixtures, tassels, a false accusation against a bride, and adultery and sexual assault.
- 23Deuteronomy 23: The Assembly and the Holy Camp
The chapter lists who may enter the Lord's assembly, excluding Ammonites and Moabites, who hired Balaam, while welcoming Edomites and Egyptians in later generations. The camp must be kept clean because God walks in it, and laws follow on escaped slaves, interest, and vows.
- 24Deuteronomy 24: Divorce and Protecting the Vulnerable
A divorced woman who remarries may not return to her first husband. A new husband is exempt from war for a year. Kidnapping is a capital crime, pledges must respect the poor, wages must be paid daily, each person dies for his own sin, and gleanings are left for the needy.
- 25Deuteronomy 25: Justice, Levirate Marriage, and Amalek
Punishment by beating is limited to forty lashes, and a working ox must not be muzzled. A man must raise offspring for his brother who died childless or face public shame. Israel must use honest weights and blot out the memory of Amalek, who attacked the weary in the wilderness.
- 26Deuteronomy 26: Firstfruits and Tithes
In the land, Israel is to bring a basket of firstfruits and confess how the Lord brought their wandering Aramean ancestor down to Egypt and rescued them. Every third year they give a tithe to the needy, and they affirm that they are the Lord's treasured possession.
- 27Deuteronomy 27: Stones and Curses at Mount Ebal
After crossing the Jordan, Israel is to set up plastered stones inscribed with the law and build an altar of uncut stones on Mount Ebal. Six tribes stand on Gerizim and six on Ebal, and the Levites pronounce curses on secret sins, with all the people answering amen.
- 28Deuteronomy 28: Blessings and Curses of the Covenant
If Israel obeys, the Lord will bless them in the city and field, in their families, crops, and flocks, and set them above the nations. If they disobey, curses will reverse every blessing, bringing disease, defeat, siege, and exile until they are scattered among the nations.
- 29Deuteronomy 29: The Covenant Renewed in Moab
Moses gathers all Israel to renew the covenant in Moab, reminding them that the Lord kept them through the wilderness. The covenant includes future generations, and anyone who turns to idols will bring ruin on the land, while hidden matters rest with God and what he has revealed is Israel's to obey.
- 30Deuteronomy 30: Choose Life
Moses promises that when Israel returns to the Lord from exile, God will gather them and circumcise their hearts to love him. The command is not too hard or far away but near, in their mouth and heart. He sets before them life and death and urges them to choose life by loving the Lord.
- 31Deuteronomy 31: Joshua Commissioned and the Song Announced
At 120 years old, Moses tells Israel that the Lord will go before them and never forsake them, and he charges Joshua to be strong and courageous. He gives the law to the priests to read every seventh year, and the Lord foretells Israel's rebellion and gives Moses a song as a witness.
- 32Deuteronomy 32: The Song of Moses
Moses sings of the Lord, the Rock whose ways are just, who chose Israel and carried them like an eagle. Israel grew fat and turned to false gods, so God will judge them, yet he will have compassion, take vengeance on his enemies, and atone for his land. Moses is told to climb Mount Nebo.
- 33Deuteronomy 33: Moses Blesses the Tribes
Before his death, Moses blesses the tribes of Israel one by one, recalling the Lord's coming from Sinai, praising Levi's faithfulness, and speaking of Benjamin resting secure and Joseph's rich land. He ends by celebrating the eternal God as Israel's refuge and their happiness as a people saved by the Lord.
- 34Deuteronomy 34: The Death of Moses
From the top of Pisgah on Mount Nebo, the Lord shows Moses the whole promised land. Moses dies there at 120 years old with his strength undiminished, and the Lord buries him. Israel mourns thirty days, Joshua leads them, and no prophet has arisen like Moses, with whom the Lord spoke directly.