Deuteronomy 29:1 meaning

Moses concludes the covenant renewal text of Deuteronomy by reminding his audience of the covenant relationship the Suzerain (Ruler) God has established with His vassals, Israel. He begins a new covenant which adds to the covenant made at Horeb (Sinai).

In the Hebrew text, Deuteronomy 29:1 is verse 69 of chapter 28, implying that it is the conclusion to Moses’ address in chapters 27-28. But it might introduce Moses’ fourth address. It seems best to view the first part of this verse as a concluding statement for the entire covenant document which began at 1:1-5, and the last part of the verse as the beginning statement of a new covenant made with this second generation (from leaving Egypt).

This verse states that these are the words of the covenant which the Lord commanded Moses to make with the sons of Israel in the land of Moab, besides the covenant which He had made with them at Horeb (v. 1).

Note the similarities with Deuteronomy 1:1-5:

These are the words (1:1)
Horeb (1:2)
The LORD commanded him [Moses] (1:3)
In the land of Moab (1:5)

The similarity of language between Deuteronomy 1:1-5 and the first part of Deuteronomy 29:1 forms a literary framework (called an inclusio) for the entire section. The point is that everything in between Deuteronomy 5:1-5 and Deuteronomy 29:1 constitutes an exposition on the covenant (words) between God (the LORD, superior ruler, or suzerain) and Israel (His vassal) through Moses. It was a repitition of the covenant given at Horeb, also known as Mount Sinai. This second generation (from leaving Egypt) agreed to be bound by this covenant, even as the first generation had been bound (Deuteronomy 26:17).

The narrator first pointed out the fact that the Suzerain (Ruler) God (the LORD) had established a covenant relationship with the Israelites. The covenant terms or conditions are contained in the words of the covenant. the covenant mediator was identified as Moses, and the two parties to the covenant were the LORD (the Suzerain) and the sons of Israel (His vassals).

This covenant renewal occurred in the land of Moab, on the east side of the Jordan River (Deuteronomy 1:5). This covenant renewal was given in preparation for the people to enter and possess the land. So, Moab was where the Suzerain God renewed His covenant relationship which He had made with Israel at Horeb, also called Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:23). By this time (40 years later), the generation of fighting men (age 20 and older) that left Egypt had died (Deuteronomy 2:16). This covenant renewal served to instruct the new generation of Israelites about what the Suzerain God required since most of them were not present when the covenant was first established on Mount Sinai.

The last part of Deuteronomy 29:1 states that what is to come is besides the covenant which He had made with them at Horeb. The Hebrew word translated besides indicates the idea of being separate from, or in addition to. So it seems that Deuteronomy 29:1 marks the ending of the ratification of the covenant of Moses given at Horeb, agreed to by the people in Deuteronomy 26:17, while also marking the beginning of a separate covenant between this second generation who will enter the land and all generations who will follow.

The Apostle Paul treats this second, added covenant as an example of “righteousness based on faith” in Romans 10:6-10. In that passage, Paul quotes Deuteronomy 30:11-14 to illustrate that the righteousness based on faith starts in the heart, by believing what is true. Paul contrasts this with “righteousness which is based on law” and uses Leviticus 18:5, which he illustrates using this verse rooted in the first covenant received at Horeb. It could be that in this second covenant God is adding an emphasis on faith as the foundation for obedience, that they might gain the benefits of living in God’s ways.

Biblical Text

These are the words of the covenant which the Lord commanded Moses to make with the sons of Israel in the land of Moab, besides the covenant which He had made with them at Horeb.

Check out our other commentaries:

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 meaning
Paul prays for the Thessalonians to continue to endure through suffering, so that God will count them worthy of the coming Kingdom, and reward them......
1 Thessalonians 5:1-7 meaning
Jesus will return unexpectedly, so believers should always be ready for His arrival.......
1 Samuel 17:1-3 meaning
Israel sets their army in array against the Philistine enemy.......
Hebrews 1:3-4 meaning
Christ is the exact representation of God and all things exist because of Christ. He is seated at the right hand of God and is......
Genesis 6:5-8 meaning
God saw that the wickedness of man was great and there was only evil in his heart continually. This grieved the Lord. ......

Additional Resources

Book Theme

The book of Deuteronomy is the fifth and last book of the Torah (“law”). It continues the story of the first 4 books and picks up exactly where the book of Numbers ends (with the people on the plain of Moab). Therefore, as we set the context for the book of Deuteronomy, it is important that we briefly summarize the theme of the previous books to see how the story of God unfolds.

Genesis describes God’s plan to bless the Israelites and the world through one man named Abraham (Gen. 12:1-3). Exodus focuses on God’s loving act by which He rescued the Israelites from Egypt in order to have a covenant relationship with them. Once the children of Israel are redeemed, Leviticus instructs them to live a holy life that reflects the life of their covenant redeemer (cf. Lev. 19). Since the first generation of the Israelites failed to obey God wholeheartedly, the book of Numbers displays a strong contrast between God’s faithfulness and the nation’s failure. That is why the book of Deuteronomy reiterates and expands on the covenant to a new generation of Israelites poised to enter and conquer the Promised Land. The message of the book is centered around two key terms: love and loyalty (Deut. 6:4-5).

Outline of Deuteronomy:

I. Introduction: Moses will explain the law (1:1 – 5)
II. Moses’ First Sermon – a Recounting of the LORD’s Faithfulness (1:6 – 4:43)
III. Introduction to Second Sermon on expositing the Law (4:44 – 49)
IV. Moses’ Second Sermon – an Exposition of the Law Given at Mt. Sinai (5:1 – 26:19)
V. Script for Covenant Renewal Ceremony Once they enter the land (27:1 – 29:1)
VI. Moses’ Third Sermon – a Call to Obedience (29:2 – 30:20)
VII. The Last Acts of Moses (31:1 – 34:12)

Chapter Context

Chapter 29 concludes the description of the covenantal ceremony, then begins Moses’ final address to the people of Israel. In Chapters 5-26, Moses set forth the basic agreement between God and Israel in a format familiar to the time, which is now known as a Suzerain-vassal treaty structure. Then in Chapters 27-28, Moses provided the blueprint of a ceremony to be conducted once they entered the Promised Land, citing the blessings and cursings contained in the covenant. Now in this last address, Moses exhorts Israel to make good choices. He also addresses future generations, exhorting them to follow the covenant and inherit the blessings, as well as addressing a future time when Israel will break the covenant, along with an assurance that God will never abandon Israel.

After a review of the LORD’s faithfulness to Israel in the past, Moses calls on Israel to commit themselves to Him so that they may be blessed in the Promised Land. He tells them that every generation of Israelites must refrain from idolatry. Failure to do so will result in curses which would ultimately lead to Israel’s destruction.

Moses concludes the chapter by telling Israel that the secret things belong to the Suzerain (Ruler) God, but the things revealed belong to them and their descendants and must be obeyed carefully.

Deuteronomy 29 can be outlined as follows:

Conclusion to Previous Address (Deuteronomy 29:1a)
Beginning of new covenant with the second generation (from leaving Egypt) (Deuteronomy 29:1b)
Moses’ Final Address-Covenant Renewal (Deuteronomy 29:2-29)
- Historical Review (Deuteronomy 29:2-8)
- The Reason for the Assembly (Deuteronomy 29:9-15)
- The Consequences of Disobeying the Covenant (Deuteronomy 29:16-28)
- Exhortation to Obey the LORD’s Revealed Word (Deuteronomy 29:29)

Deuteronomy 29:1 meaning

Check out our other commentaries:

2 Thessalonians 1:11-12 meaning

1 Thessalonians 5:1-7 meaning

1 Samuel 17:1-3 meaning

Hebrews 1:3-4 meaning

Genesis 6:5-8 meaning

Additional Resources

Book Theme

Chapter Context

Maps and Charts

Videos

The Bible Project - Deuteronomy Summary

Download Commentary