Deuteronomy 31:9

Public Reading of the Law

9 So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the Levitical priests, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.

Deuteronomy 31:9 in Other Translations

King James Version (KJV)
9 And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
9 Then Moses wrote this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.
New Living Translation (NLT)
9 So Moses wrote this entire body of instruction in a book and gave it to the priests, who carried the Ark of the LORD ’s Covenant, and to the elders of Israel.
The Message Bible (MSG)
9 Moses wrote out this Revelation and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the Chest of the Covenant of God, and to all the leaders of Israel.
American Standard Version (ASV)
9 And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and unto all the elders of Israel.
GOD'S WORD Translation (GW)
9 Moses wrote down these teachings and gave them to the Levitical priests who carried the ark of the LORD's promise and to all the leaders of Israel.
Holman Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
9 Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the Lord's covenant, and to all the elders of Israel.
New International Reader's Version (NIRV)
9 I wrote down that law. I gave it to the priests, who are sons of Levi. They carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord. I also gave the law to all of the elders of Israel.

Deuteronomy 31:9 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:9

And Moses wrote this law
The book of Deuteronomy, or the Pentateuch, the five books of Moses, which he had now finished, and which all of them together are sometimes called the law, ( Galatians 4:21 ) ;

and delivered it unto the priests, the sons of Levi;
who were the teachers of the law, as Aben Ezra observes; see ( Malachi 2:7 ) ; and therefore it was proper to put it into their hands, to instruct the people in it, and that the people might apply to them in any matter of difficulty, or when they wanted to have any particular law explained to them:

which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord;
for though they were the Levites, and particularly the Kohathites, who in journeying carried the ark; see ( Numbers 4:5-15 ) ( 10:21 ) ; yet sometimes it was borne by the priests; see ( Joshua 3:13-17 ) ( 6:6 ) ( 1 Samuel 4:4 ) ;

and unto all the elders of Israel;
the judges and civil magistrates in the respective tribes; for as there were in the book of the law several things which belonged to the priests to perform, and all of them they were to instruct in, so there were others which were to be the rule of judgment to judges, and all civil magistrates, and which they were to take care were put in execution; and therefore it was proper that they should have a copy of this law, and which must be here understood; for it cannot be thought that one and the same copy should be given both to the priests and to all the elders. The Jews say Moses wrote thirteen copies of the law, twelve for the twelve tribes, and one to be put into the ark, to convict of fraud or corruption, should any be made F19.


FOOTNOTES:

F19 Debarim Rabba, sect. 9. fol. 244. 2.

Deuteronomy 31:9 In-Context

7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance.
8 The LORD himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”
9 So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the Levitical priests, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.
10 Then Moses commanded them: “At the end of every seven years, in the year for canceling debts, during the Festival of Tabernacles,
11 when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place he will choose, you shall read this law before them in their hearing.

Cross References 2

  • 1. S Exodus 17:14
  • 2. ver 25; Numbers 4:15; Joshua 3:3; 1 Chronicles 15:2
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