Deuteronomy 31:1

1 When Moses had finished giving these instructions to all 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 When Moses had finished giving these instructions to all the people of Israel,

2 he said, “I am now 120 years old, and I am no longer able to lead you. The LORD has told me, ‘You will not cross the Jordan River.’

3 But the LORD your God himself will cross over ahead of you. He will destroy the nations living there, and you will take possession of their land. Joshua will lead you across the river, just as the LORD promised.

4 “The LORD will destroy the nations living in the land, just as he destroyed Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites.

5 The LORD will hand over to you the people who live there, and you must deal with them as I have commanded you.

Footnotes

• [a]. As in Dead Sea Scrolls and Greek version; Masoretic Text reads Moses went and spoke.