Deuteronomy 31:30

31:23-30 The solemn delivery of the book of the law to the Levites, to be deposited in, or rather by the side, of the ark, is again related. The song which follows in the next chapter is delivered to Moses, and by him to the people. He wrote it first, as the Holy Spirit taught him; and then spake it in the hearing of all the people. Moses tells them plainly, I know that after my death ye will utterly corrupt yourselves. Many a sad thought, no doubt, it occasioned to this good man; but his comfort was, that he had done his duty, and that God would be glorified in their dispersion, if not in their settlement, for the foundation of God stands sure.

And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel,.... Not in the hearing of the whole body of the people, and every individual thereof; no man could be able to speak to such a numerous congregation, as that they should hear him; but in the hearing of their heads and representatives, the elders of their tribes and officers, ordered to be gathered together for this purpose, Deuteronomy 31:28 , the words of this song, until they were ended; which song is recorded in the following chapter, Deuteronomy 32:1.

(30) And Moses spake . . . the words of this song. —The exodus of Israel begins and ends with a song of Moses. The song of Exodus 15 is usually referred to as the “Song of Moses,” and is thought to be intended in Revelation 15:3-4 . But there is a remarkable resemblance between Revelation 15:3 and Deuteronomy 32:3-4 , which see.

How much more after my death - Hence, Deuteronomy 31:24 and the rest of the book (with the exception of the song, Deuteronomy 31:19 ) must be regarded as a kind of appendix added after Moses' death by another hand; though the Blessing Deuteronomy 33 is of course to be regarded as a composition of Moses.

26. Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark—The second copy of the law (see on [167]De 31:9) was deposited for greater security and reverence in a little chest beside the ark of the covenant, for there was nothing contained within it but the tables of stone (1Ki 8:9). Others think it was put within the ark, it being certain, from the testimony of Paul (Heb 9:4), that there were once other things inside the ark, and that this was the copy found in the time of Josiah (2Ki 22:8).

In Deuteronomy 32:44-47 it is stated that Moses, with Joshua, spake the song to the people; and on finishing this rehearsal, once more impressed upon the hearts of the people the importance of observing all the commandments of God. This account proceeds from the author of the supplement to the Thorah of Moses, who inserted the song in the book of the law. This explains the name Hoshea, instead of Jehoshuah (Joshua), which Moses had given to his servant ( Numbers 13:8 , Numbers 13:16 ), and invariably uses (compare Deuteronomy 31:3 , Deuteronomy 31:7 , Deuteronomy 31:14 , Deuteronomy 31:23 , with Deuteronomy 1:38 ; Deuteronomy 3:21 , Deuteronomy 3:28 , and the exposition of Numbers 13:16 ). - On Deuteronomy 32:46 , vid., Deuteronomy 6:7 and Deuteronomy 11:19 ; and on Deuteronomy 32:47 , vid., Deuteronomy 30:20 .