Deuteronomy 31:1

Joshua Becomes the New Leader

1 Here are the words I spoke to all of the people of Israel.

Deuteronomy 31:1 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:1

And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel.
] The following words, even to the whole body of the people summoned together on this occasion. It seems that after Moses had made the covenant with them he was directed to, he dismissed the people to their tents, and went to his own, and now returned, having ordered them to meet him again, very probably at the tabernacle; with which agrees the Targum of Jonathan, he

``went to the tabernacle of the house of doctrine;''

though, according to Aben Ezra, he went to the each tribes separately, as they lay encamped; his words are these,

``he went to every tribe and tribe, to acquaint them that he was about to die, and that they might not be afraid, and to strengthen their hearts;''

he adds,

``in my opinion he then blessed them, though their blessings are afterwards written;''

which is not improbable.

Deuteronomy 31:1 In-Context

1 Here are the words I spoke to all of the people of Israel.

2 I said, "I am now 120 years old. I'm not able to lead you anymore. The LORD has said to me, 'You will not go across the Jordan River.'

3 "The LORD your God himself will go across ahead of you. He'll destroy the nations that are there in order to make room for you. You will take over their land. Joshua will also go across ahead of you, just as the LORD said he would.

4 "The LORD will do to those nations what he did to Sihon and Og. He destroyed those Amorite kings along with their land.

5 The LORD will hand those nations over to you. Then you must do to them everything I've commanded you to do.