Deuteronomy 31:1

Joshua Takes Moses' Place

1 Then Moses continued to speak these^[a] words to all 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 Then Moses continued to speak these words to all Israel,

2 saying, "I am now 120 years old; I can no longer act as your leader. The Lord has told me, 'You will not cross this Jordan.'

3 The Lord your God is the One who will cross ahead of you. He will destroy these nations before you, and you will drive them out. Joshua is the one who will cross ahead of you, as the Lord has said.

4 The Lord will deal with them as He did Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and their land when He destroyed them.

5 The Lord will deliver them over to you, and you must do to them exactly as I have commanded you.

Footnotes

• [a]. Other Hb mss, DSS, LXX, Syr, Vg read all these