Deuteronomy 32:44

32:44-47 Here is the solemn delivery of this song to Israel, with a charge to mind all the good words Moses had said unto them. It is not a trifle, but a matter of life and death: mind it, and you are made for ever; neglect it, and you are for ever undone. Oh that men were fully persuaded that religion is their life, even the life of their souls!

And Moses came,.... To the people, as the Greek version, the heads of the people being gathered together according to his order, Deuteronomy 31:28 ; The Targum of Jonathan says, he came from the tabernacle, the house of instruction: and spake all the words of this song in the ears of the people; which is observed both before and after the reading of it, to show the certainty of it, and how punctually and faithfully he had delivered it: he, and Hoshea the son of Nun; the same with Joshua, whose name at first was Hoshea, Numbers 13:16, probably Joshua read the song to one part of the people, while Moses read it to the other.

Deuteronomy 32:44 . He and Hoshea — Or Joshua. Probably Moses spoke it to as many as could hear him, while Joshua, in another assembly, at the same time delivered it to as many as his voice would reach. Thus Joshua, as well as Moses, would be a witness against them, if ever they forsook God.

JOSHUA TAKES UP THE HISTORY. (44) He, and Hoshea the son of Nun.—Why should Joshua be called Hoshea in this place? His name was apparently changed to Joshua at the time when he entered the promised land with the eleven others who searched it out (Numbers 13:8; Numbers 13:16). Now that he is about to lead Israel to the conquest, we are once more reminded of his change of name, and that the “salvation of Jehovah” was to be manifested through him. Possibly the change of name was also at this time confirmed to him. Compare the case of Jacob, whose change of name to Israel was twice made the subject of a Divine communication (Genesis 32:28; Genesis 35:10). Compare also what was said to him when about to enter into Egypt: “God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob.” We are assured by the mention of Hoshea in this place that the Joshua appointed to succeed Moses is the same person who was faithful among the spies. It is also possible that this mention of Hoshea may be Joshua’s first mention of himself in the sacred writings. After the close of the song, the remainder of Deuteronomy is not covered by Moses’ signature. It belongs to Joshua, or else the author is unknown.

Verses 44-47. - Moses, having composed this song, came, accompanied by Joshua, and they together spoke it in the hearing of the people; after which Moses took occasion to urge upon them anew the importance of keeping the commandments of God. Verse 44. - Hoshea the son of Nun. Moses invariably writes this name Jehoshuah (Jehovah is help; cf. Numbers 13 ; Deuteronomy 31:3, 7, 14, 20 , etc.). The use of Hoshea here is due to the fact that this account is part of the supplement added by another writer to the writing of Moses. Deuteronomy 32:44

Hoshea, or Joshua , who is here joined with Moses in this action, because though Moses only spake the words, yet Joshua consented to them; and, it may be, afterwards repeated them; this being not a song to be sung once for all, but a standing monument, which was written and kept for future use, Deu 31:22 , &c., and to be repeated again and again upon solemn occasions, which Joshua and other magistrates were to take care of.

44-47. Moses … spake all the words of this song in the ears, &c.—It has been beautifully styled "the Song of the Dying Swan" [Lowth]. It was designed to be a national anthem, which it should be the duty and care of magistrates to make well known by frequent repetition, to animate the people to right sentiments towards a steadfast adherence to His service.

44 . Concluding Note. Can hardly be from the same editorial hand as Deuteronomy 31:30 . It is probable from the opening words, And Moses came , that this is a fragment from the end of a narrative of divine instructions given to Moses regarding the Song, such as we find in Deuteronomy 31:16-22 (cp. Exodus 19:7 ; Exodus 24:3 ); and indeed LXX repeats Deuteronomy 31:22 before it. Its position here is another sign of the editorial re-arrangements which the materials composing these chs. have undergone. Notice the non-deuter. phrase the people , not all Israel . For this Song LXX has this Law , probably an inadvertence. Hoshea‘ ( Numbers 13:8 ; Numbers 13:16 , P) is a clerical error (by omission of one jot!) for Yehoshua‘ or Joshua , which is confirmed by all the versions. The addition of Joshua agrees with the Pl. write ye of Deuteronomy 31:19 .

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 .

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 .