Deuteronomy 1 1

Deuteronomy 1:1 kjv

These be the words which Moses spake unto all Israel on this side Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain over against the Red sea, between Paran, and Tophel, and Laban, and Hazeroth, and Dizahab.

Deuteronomy 1:1 nkjv

These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel on this side of the Jordan in the wilderness, in the plain opposite Suph, between Paran, Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab.

Deuteronomy 1:1 niv

These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel in the wilderness east of the Jordan?that is, in the Arabah?opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth and Dizahab.

Deuteronomy 1:1 esv

These are the words that Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in the Arabah opposite Suph, between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab.

Deuteronomy 1:1 nlt

These are the words that Moses spoke to all the people of Israel while they were in the wilderness east of the Jordan River. They were camped in the Jordan Valley near Suph, between Paran on one side and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Di-zahab on the other.

Deuteronomy 1 verses

Deuteronomy 1 1 Meaning

Deuteronomy 1:1 initiates Moses' farewell address to the nation of Israel, encapsulating his final teachings and exhortations. It establishes the authoritative nature of these messages ("These are the words"), identifies Moses as the speaker and all Israel as the audience, and precisely locates the geographic setting on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River. This verse signals the imminent conclusion of Israel's 40 years of wandering in the wilderness and their preparedness to enter the Promised Land, marking a pivotal moment of transition and covenant renewal.

Deuteronomy 1 1 Context

Deuteronomy is the fifth book of the Torah (Pentateuch) and presents Moses' final sermons delivered to the new generation of Israelites. They stand on the eastern bank of the Jordan River, ready to enter the Promised Land, following 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. This verse places Moses and the people geographically at this crucial threshold. The original generation that departed Egypt had largely perished due to their disobedience, save for Joshua and Caleb. Thus, Deuteronomy is a re-statement and re-application of the Law and the covenant given at Mount Sinai, tailored for a generation about to face new challenges and responsibilities in settled life. Moses recounts historical events, expounds the Ten Commandments, and reiterates the laws, adding context and theological depth, all within the framework of a covenant renewal.

Deuteronomy 1 1 Word analysis

• "These are the words": (’Ēl·leh haddeḇā·rîm, אֵ֣לֶּה הַדְּבָרִ֗ים). The Hebrew term dabar (plural devarim) means "word," "speech," "matter," "thing," "affair," or "command." Here, it signifies the authoritative and weighty nature of Moses' address, presented not as casual speech but as divinely inspired instruction and binding covenant obligations. This phrase gives the book its Hebrew name, "Devarim."
• "which Moses spoke": (dibber, דִּבֶּר). The verb dibber denotes a deliberate, formal, and authoritative speaking, often associated with God's pronouncements or the proclamations of a prophet. It emphasizes Moses' unique role as the mediator through whom God communicated His will to Israel, setting these "words" apart as a direct transmission of divine revelation.
• "to all Israel": This highlights the collective nature of the covenant and the universal audience. Every Israelite, from the least to the greatest, was called to hear, understand, and obey these words, signifying their corporate responsibility before God as a covenant people. This inclusiveness ensures the whole community bears witness to the covenant.
• "across the Jordan": (bə·‘ê·ḇer hay·yar·dên, בְּעֵבֶר הַיַּרְדֵּן). This phrase typically means "on the other side of the Jordan" or "beyond the Jordan." From the perspective of the biblical narrator (likely writing from within Canaan), it refers to the Transjordan region, specifically the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River. It sets the exact geographic staging point for Israel's entry into the Promised Land, marking the culmination of their desert journey.
• "in the wilderness": This denotes the general geographical context of the 40 years of wandering. Though Israel was on the threshold of Canaan, this reminder emphasizes the challenging environment God had sustained them through, recalling divine faithfulness amidst harsh realities. It connects this speech to their past journey and God's discipline.
• "in the Arabah": (hā·‘ă·rā·ḇāh, הָֽעֲרָבָה). This refers to the Great Rift Valley, a specific geological feature extending south from the Sea of Galilee through the Jordan Valley to the Gulf of Aqaba. It further specifies their exact location within the broader "wilderness," pinpointing the desert steppe region of the valley, a historically dry and challenging area.
• "opposite Suph": The location of "Suph" (סוּף) here is debated but is likely a general directional indicator. Some link it to Yam Suph (Reed Sea), others to an unknown locality near their encampment. It serves to further geographically orient the scene for the original audience.
• "between Paran and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab": These are further geographical markers. "Paran" (פָּארָן) is a prominent wilderness region. "Hazeroth" (חֲצֵרוֹת) is mentioned in Numbers 11-12 as a place where Israel encamped. The precise identification of "Tophel" (תֹּפֶל), "Laban" (לָבָן), and "Dizahab" (דִי זָהָב) is less certain today, but for the original Israelite audience, they provided clear landmarks, grounding the historical reliability of Moses' speech and their final position before Canaan. The listing of these sites roots the ensuing covenant discourse in specific, verifiable, physical realities, underlining the historical veracity of the account.

Deuteronomy 1 1 Bonus section

• The placement of Deuteronomy at the cusp of the Promised Land underscores the cyclical pattern of obedience and blessing, disobedience and consequence, vital for the new generation to understand before inhabiting the land.
• The geographic precision in Deuteronomy 1:1, echoing journey accounts like Numbers 33, serves to authenticate the historicity of the biblical narrative for its original audience. It roots God's dealings with Israel in real time and space.
• This verse indirectly sets up the themes of remembering God's past faithfulness and looking forward to fulfilling His promises in the land, all contingent upon their fidelity to the covenant re-presented by Moses.
• Deuteronomy functions as Moses' "farewell sermon" or "ethical will," a final, passionate plea for Israel to remain loyal to God's covenant before his leadership transitions to Joshua.

Deuteronomy 1 1 Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:1 functions as a prologue, setting the scene for one of the most significant books in the Old Testament. It grounds the subsequent authoritative discourses of Moses in a concrete historical and geographical context: the eve of Israel's entry into the Promised Land, after four decades of wilderness wandering. The phrase "These are the words which Moses spoke" immediately signifies the weighty, divine origin, and binding nature of the text that follows. It underscores Moses' unique role as God's chosen prophet and mouthpiece. Addressing "all Israel" reinforces that the renewed covenant obligations apply corporately to the entire nation, not just individuals. The detailed geographical coordinates (east of the Jordan, in the wilderness, Arabah, and specific named places) establish the credibility of the narrative and locate this monumental address at a crucial liminal space—a transition from a nomadic past to a settled future. This precise setting prepares the audience, then and now, for a restatement of the Law (Torah) not merely as a historical review but as a fresh, vital imperative for a new generation facing a new life, compelling them to remember, internalize, and obey God's commands as they step into their inheritance.