Deuteronomy 31 9

Deuteronomy 31:9 kjv

And 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.

Deuteronomy 31:9 nkjv

So Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.

Deuteronomy 31:9 niv

So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the Levitical priests, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.

Deuteronomy 31:9 esv

Then Moses wrote this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.

Deuteronomy 31:9 nlt

So Moses wrote this entire body of instruction in a book and gave it to the priests, who carried the Ark of the LORD's Covenant, and to the elders of Israel.

Deuteronomy 31 verses

Deuteronomy 31 9 Meaning

Deuteronomy 31:9 signifies the culmination of Moses's role as the divine lawgiver, as he completes writing God's covenant instruction (the Torah). He then formally entrusts the guardianship and propagation of this foundational Law to the two principal authorities of Israel: the Levitical priests, specifically those who bore the sacred Ark of the Covenant, representing spiritual and ritual custody; and the elders of Israel, representing civil and communal leadership. This act ensured the preservation, teaching, and enforcement of God's Word across generations for the entire nation.

Deuteronomy 31 9 Context

Deuteronomy 31:9 is situated within the closing discourse of Moses, immediately preceding his death and Israel's entrance into the Promised Land. The preceding verses (Deut 31:1-8) detail Moses's affirmation of Joshua as his successor and the assurance of God's unfailing presence with Israel. This specific verse marks a critical juncture: Moses is not just preparing a new leader, but establishing the permanent, divine authority of the written Law over all of Israel. It sets the stage for the public reading of the Law (Deut 31:10-13) and its command to be perpetually taught and learned, ensuring Israel's covenant fidelity beyond Moses's lifetime.

Deuteronomy 31 9 Word analysis

• So Moses: Refers to the renowned prophet and lawgiver, chosen by God to mediate the covenant. His role is paramount as the one who directly received and conveyed God's instructions. This highlights the divine origin of the law, coming through God’s appointed vessel.
• wrote: The Hebrew term is katav (כָּתַב), meaning to inscribe, record, or commit to writing. This act signifies permanence and divine authority, ensuring accuracy and future accessibility, unlike ephemeral oral traditions. It elevates the Torah as an enduring testament.
• this law: The Hebrew word Torah (תּוֹרָה) is used here. It fundamentally means "instruction" or "teaching," specifically God's instruction to His people. In this context, it primarily refers to the Book of Deuteronomy itself, or potentially the entire Pentateuch (the five books of Moses), which Moses is completing or has completed. Its scope implies a comprehensive guide for covenant living, detailing moral, civil, and ceremonial precepts.
• and gave it: Signifies the formal transference of authority and responsibility. This act ensures that the Torah would be an accessible, official text for governance and spiritual life, not a secret or lost teaching. It is an act of commissioning for its custodians.
• to the priests, the sons of Levi: The kohanim (כֹּהֲנִים) were a specific class within the tribe of Levi, descendants of Aaron. Their role was primarily spiritual, serving at the tabernacle/temple, offering sacrifices, and officiating religious rites. Their responsibility here underscores the sacred, religious nature of the Law and their unique role as interpreters and teachers of God’s will. They were the religious custodians.
• who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord: This further identifies and highlights the profound sanctity of these priests. The Ark (Aron Berit – אָרוֹן בְּרִית) symbolized God's presence, His throne, and contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments. Carrying the Ark was their most sacred duty, symbolizing their proximity to God and their special responsibility to uphold His covenant and instructions contained within the Law, which would eventually be placed beside the Ark (Deut 31:26).
• and to all the elders of Israel: The elders (zekenim – זְקֵנִים) were seasoned, respected community leaders representing the various tribes and clans. They held civil authority, served as judges, and were responsible for the social and moral order of the people. Entrusting the Law to them meant it was to be actively implemented and enforced within the daily lives and communal structures of Israel, not merely confined to ritual. They were the civil custodians.

Words-Group analysis:

• "So Moses wrote this law and gave it": This phrase establishes the divine origin and authoritative transmission of the Law. Moses, as God's mediator, not only recorded God's word but formally commissioned its ongoing stewardship, emphasizing its perpetual relevance and authority for all generations.
• "to the priests, the sons of Levi... and to all the elders of Israel": This highlights a crucial dual stewardship: the Law was to be upheld and taught by both religious authorities (priests, embodying sacred duty and theological interpretation) and civil authorities (elders, embodying communal governance and practical application). This comprehensive approach ensured the Law permeated every facet of Israelite life—spiritual, judicial, and social—preventing its neglect or compartmentalization. The Ark connection reinforced its ultimate divine source and unalterable nature.

Deuteronomy 31 9 Bonus section

This verse sets a crucial precedent for the preservation of God's Word through designated human leadership, emphasizing accountability. The Torah was Israel's distinct national wisdom and insight (Deut 4:5-8), making its custody vital for their success in the Promised Land. The public and communal nature of this handover signifies that the Law was not an exclusive possession of the elite but was intended to be accessible to and lived by all of Israel, guided by these appointed leaders. This anticipates later events like Ezra's public reading of the Law in Nehemiah 8, demonstrating the continuity of this responsibility.

Deuteronomy 31 9 Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:9 is a pivotal verse establishing the perpetuity and transmission of God's revealed will. Moses, nearing the end of his life, performed the solemn act of finalizing the written Torah and entrusting its future to the most authoritative figures in Israel. This act signifies more than mere documentation; it is a foundational transfer of custodianship. By giving the Law to the priests (who bore the Ark of the Covenant, representing the holy presence of God and His direct communication) and the elders (who represented the practical governance of the nation), God ensured that His covenant instruction would be continuously upheld, taught, interpreted, and applied at both the sacred and communal levels. This dual leadership ensured that no part of the Law—whether ceremonial, moral, or civil—would be neglected and that its divine authority would remain central to Israel’s identity and destiny. This underscores God's plan for His Word to be not only preserved but to actively shape the lives of His people.