📖 Biblical Definition
The fifth book of the Bible. Deuteronomy is Moses's farewell address to the second-generation Israelites poised to enter Canaan after their parents died in the wilderness. The book is structured as three major sermons (1-4, 5-26, 27-30) plus a covenant-renewal ceremony, the Song of Moses (32), and the death of Moses (34). It contains the Shema (6:4-5), the great commandment of love, the blessings and curses, and the prophecy of a coming prophet like Moses (18:15) — cited in the New Testament as the Messiah.
📜 Webster 1828 Definition
DEUTERONOMY, n.
expand to see more
A scriptural proper name; the fifth book of the Bible.
📖 Key Scripture
Deuteronomy 6:4 — "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God is one Lord: And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might."
Deuteronomy 8:3 — "Man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the Lord doth man live."
Deuteronomy 30:19 — "I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life."
Deuteronomy 18:15 — "The Lord thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken."
⚠️ Modern Corruption
Modern Christianity often dismisses Deuteronomy as outdated law; Christ quoted it three times in the wilderness.
expand to see more
Christ's temptation in the wilderness (Matt 4) is one of the most concentrated commendations of Deuteronomy in Scripture. Three times the devil tested Him; three times Christ answered with verses from Deuteronomy (8:3, 6:16, 6:13). The Lord Himself wielded Deuteronomy as the sword of the Spirit against the tempter.
Modern Christianity often dismisses Deuteronomy as outdated theocratic law. Christ disagreed. Read Deuteronomy with His example in mind: it is concentrated wisdom for resisting temptation, loving the Lord with the whole heart, and choosing life. The Shema is the great-commandment text; the Song of Moses is the constitutional poetry of Israel; the prophet-like-Moses prophecy points to Christ Himself. Deuteronomy is gospel preparation, not legalism.
🔗 Greek & Hebrew Roots
Hebrew/Greek roots below.
expand to see more
G1216 — Deuteronomion — second law
H1697 — davar — word
Usage
"Modern Christianity dismisses Deuteronomy as outdated; Christ quoted it three times in the wilderness."
"Christ wielded Deuteronomy as the sword of the Spirit against the tempter."
"Deuteronomy is gospel preparation, not legalism."