July 8,2016
in your doorposts (Mezuzah1). These were not
Deuteronomy(Ch. 1-34) - the only book from the
traditional Division of JEDP that coincides
The center of Deuteronomy:
From Gk. word Deuteronomoi meaning “second law”;
but why do we have second law? Is the exodus not
enough?
2 reasons why do we have 2nd law:
1. Narrative Setting – the audience (Israelite
people) differs from the exodus event because
40 years have passed. Maaaring yung mga
umalis sa Egypt ay wala na talaga,
nagkandamatay na.
- On the practical level,there was a need to
flush outthe generation before (with the
exception that Joshua and Caleb would
remain) because they were unfaithful and
murmuring generation.
- 40 years can be a long and enough time to
replenish, to create different kinds of
people.When they left Egypt, they were
workers and mason (a fierce and strong
nation).
- However, the problem arises because they
did not experience the Exodus event. That
is why in Deuteronomy parang
nagsisimula ulit si Moses to repeat all of
them, offerings, divide the land.
- Now, Deuteronomy is needed because the
narrative demands it. They are more
ready, they have now the ability to
conquer the land but did not experience
Mt. Sinai.
2. Compositional Analysis
- We see another reason, the emphasis is
the “repetition”.
1.Not all the laws are repeated, those
repeated laws are not verbative.
2.As we observe, in Deuteronomy some
laws are somehow changed a bit,
enhanced like the Ten Commandments.
- 3. There are other laws added to this,
most solemn “Shema” (Hear!)
- Dt 6:4ff. –SHEMA
- Put in foreheads, carry in arms/wrist, and write them
included in the book of Exodus.
--One of the funniest laws: Dt 25:11
Write on your doorposts – nasa Moab sila, we have Dt
as a source maybe introduced in the Pentateuch 7th
century Josiah Reform, in which the reference is
2kings 22:8 –this coincides with Deuteronomic source.
Before the time of Josiah, King Manasseh lived in
Assyrian empire.
That time: Judah wasn’t destroyed by Assyrians but
they became vassalage (subject of Assyria). Judah is
not simply giving tax, therewereboth cultural and
religious influence, and one of these was the entry of
the gods of Assyria in Jerusalem.
Yahweh got angry. When the book of law was
lost, Josiah worked for a renovation and then the laws
were found, they wrecked it and realized that they
have had made a mistake.
The result isnot only a reform but an adaptation of the
law. Suddenly they discovered the law but a different
setting of law—urban setting; we now talk of
offerings, domestic animals; land… See page 374,
Boadt
But how should we offer these things? Kung ano yung
hinihingi ng pagkakataon.
Laws repeated were included, supplemented simply
because of the 7th century Israelites during the time of
Joshua demanded such laws.
Deuteronomy, in a sense, is needed because the law is
revived.
1
Mezuzah is of biblical origin and therefore carries great
weight. “And you shall inscribe them on the doorposts
(mezuzot) of our house and on your gates” (Deuteronomy
6:9, 11:20). A mezuzah serves two functions: Every time you
enter or leave, the mezuzah reminds you that you have a
covenant with God; second, the mezuzah serves as a
symbol to everyone else that this particular dwelling is
constituted as a Jewish household, operating by a special
set of rules, rituals, and beliefs.
Two additional topics:
1.Deuteronomy is separated, only coincides with the
division of Tradition. When Deuteronomy begins, you
have different tone in writing/ way of reading the
Hebrew language / literary wise. There was a
movement or change on language or theme especially
on the epilogue. (nababago, dating action biglang
nagiging drama; tulad ng nangyari kay batousai, puro
aksyon sa una pero sa huli ay namatay dahil sa sakit at
hindi sa laban)
Eventually, if we follow the story, it is still in the book
of Joshua that they will acquire the land. Why
Pentateuch, and not Hexateuch? Ay sa Joshua pa ang
land! // Can we abandon Pentateuch? Why
Pentateuch is separated?
As historical base, it is a reminder that
Pentateuch’s composition is a process stated in the 8th
-10th century and from Ezra (444) 5th century –final
redaction of the Pentateuch that time, Judah (Jews)
and Israel, in a certain sense, survived without the
temple, without the land for a long time.

-They only carry the Torah or Law, with Ezra and

It is written / read in Hebrew, nagbabago ang theme,
Nehemiah, which became the basis pf their identity
wherein the beginning: The idea was “I am, the LORD,
(not anymore the people’s identity is connected to the
will be your God, and you will be my people.
temple).
In new theme, Shema—thereis only One God, one
-Therefore, going back to the 5th century, truly the
temple and one people. There was a strong
Torah is the basis of their identity. Even without a
monotheistic emphasis. Worship in just one temple to
land,“I am still a Jew, as long as I have the Torah,
one God by one people.
possessing the land is not importantfor being a Jew.”
This is the theme not only of Deuteronomy but also of
Joshua upto 1-2 Kings (deuteronomistic history) May
pumalpak everything is canceled.

2. With regard to Moses, our hero will not be able to

enter the Promise Land. What is the reason for this?
Did he commit a sin against Yahweh? If so, what is the
indication for such act? Is there a reference for his sin?

-Dt 34:4
-Num20:12 – Moses did not trust Yahweh in
front of the people; he would
not reach the land.

Nagduda lang, hindi na agad nakapasok?

- Maybe just maybe, Moses real sin was
removed from the Pentateuch and made
this small event something big and seen as
sin of Moses. It was simply replaced to be
an alternative.