Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 1:5
On this side Jordan, in the land of Moab, began Moses to declare this law, saying,
A. Duet Deu 1:5 to Deu 4:40. First Discourse and Introduction to the Law-Book
5. Special Title to the First Discourse of Moses
Usually taken as the continuation of the general title to the Book, 1 a and 4, this appears rather note the repetition of the datum beyond Jordan to have been originally a special title to the following first discourse of Moses. Obviously written in W. Palestine.
5. in the land of Moab ] So always in D as the place of this legislation, which P gives more exactly as the ‘Arboth-Moab, the sections of the ‘Arabah in Moabite territory, just N. of the Dead Sea ( I.P. 209). Except for some doubtful cases in later writers Moab is always the name of the people, not of their land. See Enc. Bibl. art. ‘Moab.’ In Deu 3:29, Deu 4:46 the scene of the lawgiving is more exactly defined as in the gai or hollow over against Beth-pe‘or.
began ] Heb. h‘l is stronger: undertook, or set himself to (Gen 18:27), or was pleased to (2Ki 5:23; Hos 5:11).
to declare ] In the original sense of declare (Wright, Bible Word-Bk), make clear or distinct. The Heb. b’r, properly to dig or hew, is used of writing on stone (Deu 27:8), or tablets (Hab 2:2). Only here metaphorically, to explain or expound, as in post-Bibl. Heb., or to engrave in the mind of the people.
this law ] Heb. this Trah, on the various meanings of the term see I.P. App. vi.; Driver, Exodus, 162, 165. In which of these it is to be taken here is disputed. Dillm., after stating that in D Trah is distinguished from Law proper, described as statutes and judgements, takes it here to mean instruction concerning law and justice. So Steuern. and Berth. But in the other 18 instances of the phrase this Trah in D) it is used of the deuteronomic code and indeed in Deu 4:8 is parallel to statutes and judgements. We may take it in the same sense here (so Driver), equivalent indeed to no mere catalogue of laws, but to laws with notes, exhortations, precedents and reminiscences. If that be the meaning of Trah in this title, it proves that the discourse to which the title is attached, Deu 1:6 to Deu 4:40, was originally designed as an introduction to the code Deu 1:12-26. But the terms of the title are more suitable to Deu 1:5 ff. in which discourse the actual exposition of the Law begins. See further on Deu 4:44-49.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
In the land of Moab – This district had formerly been occupied by the Moabites, and retained its name from them: but had been conquered by the Amorites. Compare Num 21:25, note; Num 22:5, note.
Declare – Render, explain the Law already declared.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 5. Began Moses to declare this law] Began, hoil, willingly undertook; to declare, beer, to make bare, clear, &c., fully to explain, this law. See the conclusion of the preface.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
5. On this side Jordan, in the landof Moab, began Moses to declare this lawthat is, explain thislaw. He follows the same method here that he elsewhere observes;namely, that of first enumerating the marvellous doings of God inbehalf of His people, and reminding them what an unworthy requitalthey had made for all His kindnessthen he rehearses the law andits various precepts.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
On this side Jordan, in the land of Moab,…. On that side of Jordan in which the land of Moab was, and which with respect to the land of Canaan was beyond Jordan; this the Vulgate Latin version joins to the preceding verse:
began Moses to declare this law: to explain it, make it clear and manifest; namely, the whole system and body of laws, which had been before given him, which he “willed” k, as some render the word, or willingly took upon him to repeat and explain unto them, which their fathers had heard, and had been delivered unto them; but before he entered upon this, he gave them a short history of events which had befallen them, from the time of their departure from Horeb unto the present time, which is contained in this and the two next chapters:
saying; as follows.
k “voluit”, Montanus; “placuit”, Junius Tremellius, Piscator “statuit”, Tigurine version.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(5) On this side Jordan, in the land of Moab.This would be on the other side of Jordan from the stand-point of the writer, or of the readers for whom the book was intended, which is Palestine.
Began Moses.Began, i.e., determined or assayed.
To declare.The emphatic reiteration of what had been already received from God and delivered to Israel may be intended. But the Hebrew word here employed occurs in two other places only, and in both is connected with writing. (See Deu. 17:8, thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly (br htb, in writing and in making good). Again, in Hab. 2:2, write the vision, and make it plain upon tables. The etymological affinities of the word also suggest the idea of writing. It would seem, then, that at this period Moses began to throw the discourses and laws that he had delivered into a permanent form, arranging and writing them with the same motive which influenced the Apostle Peter (2Pe. 1:15), Moreover, I will endeavour that ye may be able after my decease to have these things always in remembrance.
In this discourse the history of Israel, from the time of their departure from Sinai, is briefly recapitulated (Deu. 3:29), and with a short practical exhortation. This portion of history comprises three periods of the exodus: (1) The march from Sinai to Kadesh-barnea, with the sending of the twelve spies and its results, related more at length in Num. 10:11end of Deuteronomy 14. The characteristic feature of this period is failure on the part of both leaders and people to rise to their high calling. Moses (Numbers 11), Aaron and Miriam (Num. xii), Joshua (Num. 11:28), the spies, who were also rulers (Deuteronomy 13, 14), and the people throughout, all in turn exhibit the defects of their character. In the end the enterprise is abandoned for the time. (2) The thirty seven and a half years that follow are a period of disgrace, as appears by the absence of all note of time or place in the direct narrative between Numbers 14 and Numbers 20. Certain places are mentioned in Numbers 33 which must belong to this period, but nothing is recorded of them beyond the names. A single verse (Deu. 2:1), is all that is assignable to that period in this discourse of Moses. This long wandering was also a period of training and discipline. (3) The fortieth year of the exodus, in which the conquest of Sihon and Og was effected, and Israel reached the banks of Jordan. The sentence of death pronounced against their elder generation having been executed, a new life was now begun.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
Ver. 5. Began Moses to declare, &c. Houbigant very properly renders this, It seemed good to Moses, when on the bank of Jordan, in the land of Moab, fully to explain this law: he makes use of the word beer, to explain (a word he has never before used), because he does not now establish fresh laws dictated by God, but undertakes to explain to the children the laws which were given to their fathers. The original word, rendered began, is never used in that sense.
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Deu 1:5 On this side Jordan, in the land of Moab, began Moses to declare this law, saying,
Ver. 5. Began Moses to declare. ] And he was not long about it. See Trapp on “ Deu 1:1 “ A ready heart makes riddance of God’s work; for being oiled with the Spirit, it becomes lithe and nimble, quick of despatch.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
began = undertook with will. Heb ya’al. First occurrence Gen 18:27, Gen 18:31.
declare. Hebrew. ba’ar, make plain, show sense, set forth, especially in writing. Occurs only here and Deu 27:8, and Hab 2:2.
law = torah = instruction.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
to declare: Deu 4:8, Deu 17:18, Deu 17:19, Deu 31:9, Deu 32:46
Reciprocal: Num 21:20 – country Num 22:1 – on this side Deu 4:44 – General Deu 4:46 – On this side
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
1:5 On this side Jordan, in the land of Moab, {e} began Moses to declare this law, saying,
(e) The second time.