Tyndale Open Study NotesDeuteronomy 1

Ancient Near Eastern treaty texts usually began with a brief section introducing the partners in the covenant, their relationship to each other, and their immediate ancestry. This introduction provides information primarily about the social and geographic setting.

• These are the words that Moses spoke: Although the book of Deuteronomy follows the pattern of a covenant or treaty document, it is mainly a series of speeches. Moses delivered these speeches to the whole assembly of Israel.

• Arabah: This is a common word usually translated as “wilderness” or “desert.” In general, the Arabah refers to the Great Rift Valley. This valley stretches from the Sea of Galilee south to the Red Sea, also called the Gulf of Aqaba. In this passage, the word refers to the dry land near the lower Jordan River, just north of the Dead Sea.

• The distance from Mount Horeb in the southern Sinai Peninsula to Kadesh-barnea in the north is only 241 kilometers (150 miles) (see study note on 1:19). The large Hebrew population could have easily traveled this distance in eleven days if they had traveled directly. Yet, their rebellion against the Lord caused a 38-year delay and a circular route (see 2:14; Numbers 14:34).

• Horeb (or Sinai): Deuteronomy uses this name for the holy mountain where God gave the covenant. The name likely has a connection to a word meaning "drought" or "devastation." This suggests the harsh conditions the people of Israel encountered.

• The way of Mount Seir was the route from Mount Horeb to Mount Seir. Seir is another name for Edom. It was east-southeast of the Dead Sea. The usual route took travelers through the Arabah north from the Gulf of Aqaba and then west to Kadesh-barnea. This is 97 kilometers (60 miles) southwest of the Dead Sea.

• The Amorites were a Semitic people, related to the Canaanites by language. They first lived in what is now north-central Syria. They later moved into Canaan, settling on both sides of the Jordan River, mainly in the hill country.

  During Israel's conquest, many Amorites lived in Transjordan (the region east of the Jordan River), north of the Arnon River. Their capital was at Heshbon (see also study note on Numbers 21:13). The Israelites had already displaced many of them before this time (Numbers 22:21–35).

• Bashan was another Amorite area, located north of the Yarmuk River and east of the Sea of Galilee. It was famous for its valuable livestock (compare Psalm 22:12; Ezekiel 39:18; Amos 4:1 and study note). Its capital was Ashtaroth.

• The kings Sihon and Og are not known outside the Bible (see Numbers 21:21–35).

Secular treaties (formal agreements between nations) often included a section about the past relationship between the two partners. This section reviewed what had happened before the agreement.

In this case, the purpose was to review Israel’s successes and failures since the exodus from Egypt. It reminded the people that God had kept his word, even when they did not obey him.

To prepare the Israelites for life in Canaan, Moses reminded them about life in Egypt, their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, and their past mistakes. He warned them to obey God's covenant. He assured them that God's grace would follow them as they learned to trust and obey the Lord.

• The hill country included the interior areas of Canaan, where the Amorites also lived (see 1:4; Numbers 13:29; Joshua 10:6). The Canaanites once lived all over Palestine, but the Amorites forced them into the valleys and lowlands.

• the foothills (Hebrew the Shephelah): This is a term still used in modern Israel for the area between the hills of Judah and the coastal plain. This region is known for orchards and vineyards.

• the Negev: This large desert area is south of Canaan. The Hebrew word can also mean “the south.”

possess the land (literally acquire it as an inheritance): The land already belonged to Israel because God had promised it to their ancestors centuries earlier (Genesis 15:18–21; 26:3; Exodus 23:31). Israel was not taking new territory from rightful owners but was reclaiming their own land.

See Exodus 18:13–27.

as numerous as the stars: This figure of speech is an exaggeration. Abraham’s descendants did not match the actual number of stars in the universe, but they exceeded the stars visible to the naked eye. Moses meant that God had started fulfilling his promises to Abraham (see Genesis 15:5; 22:17). He did this by making Israel numerous, bringing them to the promised land, and preparing them to conquer it.

respected men: These people had lives and reputations that were beyond criticism, even when examined closely.

thousands … hundreds … fifties … tens: These numbers describe a common way to organize an army. Soldiers were grouped under leaders of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. Because this was a normal military system, some of these officials were likely military officers (see 1 Samuel 8:12; 22:7; 2 Samuel 18:1).

Show no partiality (literally Do not notice faces): People appearing before the court should be treated as though they were wearing a mask to conceal their identity. Judges were not to be influenced by rich and powerful persons in the community but were to judge on the basis of God’s own impartiality (10:17) and treat all persons equally under the law.

See Numbers 13.

Kadesh-barnea was a large oasis with many wells and springs. It was about 80 kilometers (50 miles) south of Beersheba, which was the traditional southern point of Israel (see 2 Samuel 3:10; 1 Chronicles 21:2).

Eshcol means “cluster.” Grapes were the fruit grown there (see Numbers 13:23–27).

See Numbers 14.

Anak was known as a man of very large size (2:10, 21; 9:2; Numbers 13:33). Goliath may have been one of Anak’s descendants (1 Samuel 17:4). Some of Anak’s family moved to the Philistine coastal plain (Deuteronomy 2:23; Joshua 11:21–23; 15:14; 1 Chronicles 20:4–8).

will fight for you: This phrase refers to the defeat of the Canaanite nations. God would start the battle, lead it, fight it, and ensure victory. The only other use of this phrase refers to God's actions during the exodus (Exodus 14:14).

God's gentle care as a father showed his special agreement with Israel (Exodus 4:22; Hosea 11:1–4; see also Matthew 6:26–33; John 14:21; Acts 13:18; Romans 8:15–17; 1 Peter 1:2–3; 1 John 3:1). Israel was God's child because they came from Abraham and because God chose and adopted Israel from all nations (Deuteronomy 14:2; Exodus 19:4–6).

This parent-child language is similar to language in secular covenant texts (ancient treaty documents between kings). In these treaties, a great king often called a smaller ruler, called a vassal (a ruler under his authority), his “son.” This word showed a close relationship and loyalty between them.

Sometimes God showed his presence in visible ways. These appearances are called theophanies (visible signs that God is present). The pillar of fire and the pillar of cloud were examples of this.

These signs assured the people that God was with them and that he was powerful. When the pillar moved ahead, the people followed. They trusted that God would lead them safely to their destination (Exodus 13:21–22; 14:24; Psalm 18:9–10).

Caleb was one of the twelve spies Moses sent to assess the political and military situation in Canaan. Only Caleb and Joshua reported that God would help Israel conquer Canaan (Numbers 13:6, 8, 16, 30). Caleb later became the father-in-law of Othniel, Israel’s first judge (Judges 1:13).

Because of his faithfulness, Caleb received the area around Hebron as his inheritance, and he expelled the Anakites (see Joshua 14:12–15; Judges 1:20).

The LORD was also angry with me on your account: Moses became frustrated with rebellious Israel. He disobeyed God by hitting the rock instead of speaking to it (Numbers 20:10–13).

Hormah is probably modern Khirbet el-Meshash. This site is eleven kilometers (seven miles) southeast of Beersheba. The ancient name comes from the verb kharam, which means to "devastate" or "annihilate." The Israelites did devastate Hormah (Numbers 14:45; 21:3).