And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,
Read it in contextMoses' Final Instructions and the Writing of the Law
Start reading at Deuteronomy 31:1 (Deuteronomy 31:1 to Deuteronomy 31:30).
This passage describes Moses' final address to Israel, his charge to Joshua, and his completion of writing the law and a song, which he delivers to the Levites.
31:1And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel.
31:2And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
31:3The LORD thy God, he will go over before thee, and he will destroy these nations from before thee, and thou shalt possess them: and Joshua, he shall go over before thee, as the LORD hath said.
31:4And the LORD shall do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og, kings of the Amorites, and unto the land of them, whom he destroyed.
31:5And the LORD shall give them up before your face, that ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you.
31:6Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.
31:7And Moses called unto Joshua, and said unto him in the sight of all Israel, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou must go with this people unto the land which the LORD hath sworn unto their fathers to give them; and thou shalt cause them to inherit it.
31:8And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.
31:9And 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.
31:10And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles,
31:11When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
31:12Gather the people together, men, and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear, and that they may learn, and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law:
31:13And that their children, which have not known any thing, may hear, and learn to fear the LORD your God, as long as ye live in the land whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.
31:14And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation.
31:15And the LORD appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud: and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle.
31:16And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thou shalt sleep with thy fathers; and this people will rise up, and go a whoring after the gods of the strangers of the land, whither they go to be among them, and will forsake me, and break my covenant which I have made with them.
31:17Then my anger shall be kindled against them in that day, and I will forsake them, and I will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured, and many evils and troubles shall befall them; so that they will say in that day, Are not these evils come upon us, because our God is not among us?
31:18And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods.
31:19Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel.
31:20For when I shall have brought them into the land which I sware unto their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey; and they shall have eaten and filled themselves, and waxen fat; then will they turn unto other gods, and serve them, and provoke me, and break my covenant.
31:21And it shall come to pass, when many evils and troubles are befallen them, that this song shall testify against them as a witness; for it shall not be forgotten out of the mouths of their seed: for I know their imagination which they go about, even now, before I have brought them into the land which I sware.
31:22Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel.
31:23And he gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.
31:24And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,
31:25That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,
31:26Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.
31:27For I know thy rebellion, and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious against the LORD; and how much more after my death?
31:28Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them.
31:29For I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn aside from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because ye will do evil in the sight of the LORD, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.
31:30And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended.
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Who
Who wrote the book? Moses is the principal speaker and is expressly credited with writing the law. The account of his death was supplied by a later hand; identifying that final writer as Joshua is traditional, not certain. Biblical references: Deuteronomy 31:9; Deuteronomy 31:24; Deuteronomy 34:5. Historical source: Babylonian Talmud, Bava Batra 14b–15a (record of Jewish attribution, not contemporary proof). stated in the text
Who was present or being addressed in this passage? In the surrounding chapter context (Deuteronomy 31:1–31:30): Moses addresses Israel and Joshua, and commissions the priests and elders to preserve and read the law to the assembled people. stated in the text
Who was the book written to? Israel assembled in Moab before entering Canaan, and their children and later generations who were to hear the law read. Biblical references: Deuteronomy 1:1; Deuteronomy 29:10; Deuteronomy 31:12. stated in the text
What
What is the main event or theme? The main event is Moses completing the writing of the words of the law in a book. stated in the text
What is God revealing? God is revealing His law through Moses, which was to be written down and preserved for Israel. stated in the text
What is the literary style? The literary style is narrative, describing Moses' actions in completing the writing of the law. stated in the text
When
When was it written? The book of Deuteronomy was written around 1400 B.C. book background
When does the event take place? The event takes place around 1400 B.C., at the end of the wilderness years, just before Israel entered Canaan. book background
Where
Where did it happen? The events described in Deuteronomy occurred on the Plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River. book background
Where was the author located? The author, Moses, was located on the Plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River. book background
Where does the context start?
This passage sits in Moses' Final Instructions and the Writing of the Law (Deuteronomy 31:1 to Deuteronomy 31:30).
Start reading at Deuteronomy 31:1. This passage describes Moses' final address to Israel, his charge to Joshua, and his completion of writing the law and a song, which he delivers to the Levites.
How
How does it fit the broader context? This verse marks the completion of Moses' task of writing the Law, which he then commanded to be placed beside the ark of the covenant as a witness against Israel. It precedes his final instructions and the transfer of leadership to Joshua. stated in the text
How does it point to Christ? The completion of the written Law by Moses reveals God's righteous standards and the covenant He made with Israel. This Law, which Israel would ultimately fail to keep, points to the need for a perfect fulfillment and a new covenant, which is found in Christ, who perfectly kept God's law. interpretation
How do I apply it today? God's written word, like the law completed by Moses, serves as a witness to His commands and His faithfulness. Believers today are called to hear, learn, and observe God's words, recognizing their enduring truth and guidance for life. interpretation
Early traditionJewish tradition (Baba Bathra 14b) and the early church name Moses.
What is debatedChapter 34 records the death of Moses, so even conservative scholars hold that a later hand, often identified as Joshua, added the closing account. Critical scholars date the book much later, to the seventh century B.C.
Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).
Macro-Structure
See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.
Macro-Structure of Deuteronomy 31
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Moses addresses Israel in Moab before the people cross the Jordan. The speeches recall the wilderness, expound covenant obligations, and confront the next generation with choices and consequences. Local headings and stanza divisions are editorial reading aids adapted from public-domain BSB headings; verse boundaries and Scripture links use the KJV. Connections describe the surrounding book movement.
Connection to the wholeThis opening unit introduces the chapter’s movement. Joshua is commissioned, the law and song are entrusted to the people, and Moses blesses Israel before his death.
Connection to the wholeThis unit closes the chapter’s selected reading divisions. Joshua is commissioned, the law and song are entrusted to the people, and Moses blesses Israel before his death.
interpretation
Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.
Macro-Structure of Deuteronomy
Prefilled outline, not yet reviewed.
Moses addresses Israel in Moab before the people cross the Jordan. The speeches recall the wilderness, expound covenant obligations, and confront the next generation with choices and consequences.
Connection to the wholeThe covenant commands and appeals join exclusive devotion to the LORD with hearing, remembering, teaching, and obeying His words.
Connection to the wholeDetailed commands apply covenant faithfulness to public worship, leadership, households, work, and the care of vulnerable people.
Connection to the wholeThe speeches set out covenant consequences and call Israel to choose life through love and obedience rather than presume upon privilege.