When Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, saying, “Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of Yahweh your God’s covenant, that it may be there for a witness against you.
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Deuteronomy 31:24-26 sits inside this longer paragraph.
When Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished, Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, saying, “Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of Yahweh your God’s covenant, that it may be there for a witness against you. For I know your rebellion and your stiff neck. Behold, while I am yet alive with you today, you have been rebellious against Yahweh. How much more after my death? Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to witness against them. For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves, and turn away from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will happen to you in the latter days, because you will do that which is evil in Yahweh’s sight, to provoke him to anger through the work of your hands.”
Parallel Translations
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When Moses had finished writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,
Moses commanded the Levites, who bore the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, saying,
“Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of Yahweh your God’s covenant, that it may be there for a witness against you.
-
And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,
That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,
Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.
Show all 3 translations
-
And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,
that Moses commanded the Levites, that bore the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying:
'Take this book of the law, and put it by the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.
Cross-references (10)
- Deuteronomy 31:19 (v26) “Now therefore write this song for yourselves, and teach it to the children of Israel. Put it in their mouths, that this song may be a…
- Deuteronomy 31:9 (vv24–25) Moses wrote this law and delivered it to the priests the sons of Levi, who bore the ark of Yahweh’s covenant, and to all the elders of…
- Deuteronomy 17:18 (v24) It shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, that he shall write himself a copy of this law in a book, out of that which is…
- 1 Kings 8:9 (v26) There was nothing in the ark except the two stone tablets which Moses put there at Horeb, when Yahweh made a covenant with the children of…
- 2 Kings 22:8-11 (v26) Hilkiah the high priest said to Shaphan the scribe, “I have found the book of the law in Yahweh’s house.” Hilkiah delivered the book to…
Show all 9 cross-references
- 2 Kings 22:13-19 (v26) “Go inquire of Yahweh for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found; for great is Yahweh’s…
- 2 Chronicles 34:14-15 (v26) When they brought out the money that was brought into Yahweh’s house, Hilkiah the priest found the book of Yahweh’s law given by Moses.…
- Romans 3:19-20 (v26) Now we know that whatever things the law says, it speaks to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be closed, and all the world…
- Galatians 2:19 (v26) For I, through the law, died to the law, that I might live to God.
9 distinct cross-references across this passage (10 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (16 sources)
Historical commentary, presented as a primary source — not an endorsement.
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On v26 Of thine infidelity, when thou shalt turn away from…
Of thine infidelity, when thou shalt turn away from the doctrine contained therein.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On v26 Deu 31:26 Take this book of the law, and…
Deu 31:26 Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.
Ver. 26. In the side of the ark.] That it might be heard and regarded as the very law of God, though penned by Moses. And indeed the Jews at this day show exceeding great respect to the law; no man may touch it but with the right hand, and without a kiss of reverence, nor carry it behind him, but lay it next to his heart in his travel; if it but fall to the ground, they institute a fast for it, &c. The very Turks have so high an esteem of Moses, that if they find any piece of his writings, be it but a torn paper, lying on the ground, they presently take it up and kiss it. {a}
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That it may be therefor a witness.] Hence haply the ark was called "the ark of the testimony." The law might be called the Doomsday Book; such a book there is in our common law, so called, saith Matthew Paris, because it spares no man.
{a} Schicard. Weemse. Pareus, Prol. in Genes.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv25–26 The Levites, i.e. the priests, Deu 31:9 who also…
The Levites, i.e. the priests, Deu 31:9 who also were Levites.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv24–26 That Moses commanded the Levites,.... These were not the…
That Moses commanded the Levites,.... These were not the common Levites, but the priests who were also Levites, to whom the law was given, Deu 31:9; and none but they might touch the ark, or go so near it as, they are bid to do, to put the law on the side of it; so Aben Ezra; it follows:
which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord; as the priests are said to do; see Gill on Deu 31:9; for though in journeying the Kohathites carried it, yet not until it was covered by the priests, for they must not touch it; as these must do when they put the law on the side of it, as they are ordered in Deu 31:26.
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saying; as follows.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On vv25–26 The Levites - The priests, ver. 9, who also…
The Levites - The priests, ver. 9, who also were Levites.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On v26 Verse 26. Take this book of the law] The…
Verse 26. Take this book of the law] The standard copy to which all transcripts must ultimately refer: another copy was put into the bands of the priests. See Clarke on De 31:9.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On v25 Deu 31:25-26. The Levites — The priests, (Deu 31:9,)…
Deu 31:25-26. The Levites — The priests, (Deu 31:9,) who also were Levites. Put it in the side — Or, by the side of the ark, as the same word is rendered, 1Sa 6:8. For it does not appear that it was laid up within the ark, it being expressly said that there was nothing in the ark save the two tables of stone, 1Ki 8:9; 2Ch 5:10. Probably this was the very same book which, after having been some way misplaced, was found in the house of the Lord in the days of Josiah, and publicly read by the king himself, for a testimony against the people, who were then almost ripe for ruin.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On v24 Moses completes the writing out of the book of…
Moses completes the writing out of the book of the Law, and directs it to be placed by the ark of the covenant.
Deu 31:24
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The “book” here spoken of would contain the whole Pentateuch up to this verse, and be “the Book of Moses,” called generally by the Jews “the Law” (compare Mat 22:40; Gal 4:21).
Deu 31:25
The Levites, which bare the ark - i. e., as in Deu 31:9, “the priests the sons of Levi.” The non-priestly Levites could not so much as enter the sanctuary or touch the ark (compare Num 4:15). Though in the journeys through the wilderness the ark was borne by the non-priestly Kohathites, yet on occasions of a more solemn and public character it was carried by the priests themselves (Jos 3:3 ff, Jos 4:9-10; Jos 6:6, Jos 6:12; Jos 8:33; 1Ki 8:3).
Deu 31:26
Put it in the side of the ark - Rather, by the side of the ark. The two tables of the Decalogue were in the ark 1Ki 8:9; the Book of the Law was to be laid up in the holy of holies close by the ark of the covenant, probably in a chest. Compare 2Ki 22:8.
Deu 31:27
How much more after my death - Hence, Deu 31:24 and the rest of the book (with the exception of the song, Deu 31:19) must be regarded as a kind of appendix added after Moses’ death by another hand; though the Blessing Deut. 33 is of course to be regarded as a composition of Moses.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On v26 Side. But not within, (Menochius) according to the generality…
Side. But not within, (Menochius) according to the generality of interpreters, whom Calmet follows, Exodus xxv. 10. But here he adopts the contrary opinion of Jonathan and Grotius, and asserts that this writing, containing the 29th, 30th, and 31st chapters, on thin boards, was placed in the ark, beside the tables of the law, in the same manner as the Philistines placed in it a coffer of gold, 1 Kings vi. 8. We read (3 Kings viii. 9,) that there was nothing in the ark except the two tables, which might be true at the time that book was written; though St. Paul (Hebrews ix. 4,) tells us, that the golden pot, and the rod of Aaron, were in the ark. If they were there in the days when the author of the first book of Kings lived, the passage in question must be understood with these exceptions. (Calmet) --- This difficulty cannot, however, be now easily decided, as the Scripture often uses the word in to denote near to, &c., ver. 14. The coffer of the Philistines might also be on the outside of the ark. (Haydock) --- Thee. This act of ratification of the covenant, which had been made at Horeb 39 years before, (Calmet) was placed in or near the ark. (Haydock) --- The three chapters, of which it probably consisted, seem to have been what was discovered in the reign of Josias; as the threats and blessings which they contain, would naturally tend to make a strong impression upon all, 4 Kings xxii. 8. (Calmet) --- Kennicott thinks that Helcias discovered the very manuscript, which Moses had written with his own hand, and which he deposited neither in, nor fastened to any side of the ark, but only placed by the side (mitsad, juxta, Noldius) of it, or upon the same table; so that it might not be taken by the Philistines, but kept in some suitable place. (Dis. ii.) It is surprising that Huet cites Jonathan as delivering this sentiment, in capsa ad latus dextrum. (Haydock)
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On v26 Take this book of the law, and put it…
Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark--The second copy of the law (see on Deu 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 (Kg1 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 (Kg2 22:8).
Next: Deuteronomy Chapter 32
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On v26 26. In the side of the ark — Better…
26. In the side of the ark — Better rendered, by the side of the ark. The two tables of the Decalogue were placed in the ark. 1Ki_8:9; Heb_9:4. The Targum of Jonathan says, “This law was placed in a chest near the ark. It was deposited there, not as a mere place of safety, but close by the place of the typical atonement for sin, the ark of the covenant, as a protest against their national breach of that covenant by idolatry.” See PUSEY on Daniel, p. 308. Some have thought that this is the copy found in the time of Josiah. 2Ki_22:8 : “And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of the Lord.”
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv24–26 24. had made an end of writing the words…
24. had made an end of writing the words of this law] If Law be the original reading, Deu_31:24-26 are not the sequel, but a parallel to Deu_31:9-13, for 9 also implies the completion of the writing of the Law in recording its delivery to the priests, the sons of Levi. But, as already said, it has been conjectured that for Law = Tôrah we should read Song = Shîrah.
until they were finished] Deu_31:30, Deu_2:15; cp. Jos_4:10; Jos_5:6; Jos_8:24; Jos_10:20.
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24–30. Again the Law-Book (?) and the Song
A less vague description of these vv. is not possible. The text says that Moses having written the Law in a book charged the Levites to put it beside the Ark as a witness against thee (Deu_31:24-26). For Israel, which has been rebellious in his life—here the address changes from Sg. to Pl.—will be more so after his death (Deu_31:27). They shall assemble the elders of their tribes and officers that he may recite to them these words and call heaven and earth to witness against them. For after his death they will corrupt themselves and evil will befall them in the latter days (Deu_31:28-30).—These words can hardly refer to the Law, already recited to the people; they must be the words of this Song (Deu_31:30) which follows in 32. If the text be original which reads Tôrah = Law in Deu_31:24; Deu_31:26, then Deu_31:24-26 are parallel (not consecutive) to Deu_31:9-13, and we cannot conjecture a reason for separating the two passages by Deu_31:14-23, on Joshua and the Song.
Staerk (followed by Steuern. and Berth.) holds that Tôrah was originally Shîrah = Song. This conjecture is attractive. It restores unity to Deu_31:24-30 and their natural connection with Deu_31:16-22, and gets rid of the improbable fact that both Law and Song are described as witness against Israel; note too that this book (Deu_31:24; Deu_31:26) is not to be put in, but beside, the Ark. At the same time there is no other evidence (in the versions or elsewhere) that Shîrah may have stood in place of Tôrah, the Law may equally well with the Song be described as a witness against Israel, and the phrase these words more usually refers to what precedes than to what follows it. Notice a symptom of compilation, in that while the Levites are addressed in Deu_31:25 it is all Israel, against thee, which is addressed in Deu_31:26. The whole passage is therefore editorial, and the questions it raises are insoluble by us.
Staerk distinguishes two introductions to the Song, Deu_31:16-22; Deu_31:24-30, and so independently Driver; note the difference in their styles. Cullen (p. 181) retains the reading Tôrah = Law, and takes Deu_31:24-29 as a later addition to Deu_31:9-13, the original conclusion of the epilogue to the Code of D composed when Israel’s attitude to this was still satisfactory, and added when the nation fell away. For another view see the Oxf. Hex.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On v24 Deu_31:24-28. DELIVERY OF THE BOOKS OF MOSES TO THE…
Deu_31:24-28. DELIVERY OF THE BOOKS OF MOSES TO THE LEVITES.
(24) When Moses had made an end of writing.—This means the completion of the books of Moses as he delivered them to Israel; not merely Deuteronomy, as above, in Deu_31:9, but the whole, including the song mentioned in Deu_31:22. The song was probably the end of the book as delivered to them by Moses.
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In a book.—’Al-sêpher; upon a roll. The Pentateuch is written upon a single roll to this day.
(25) The Levites, which bare the ark.—Observe this, and comp. Deu_31:9, above.
(26) In the side of the ark.—More literally, beside, Rashi says, “The wise men of Israel differ about this in the treatise Baba Bathra (in the Talmud). Some of them say there was a leaf or slab projecting from the ark outside, and there the book was placed. Others say that it was placed beside the tables of the covenant in the ark itself.”
(28) Gather unto me all the elders.—In like manner Joshua gave a special charge to the elders at the close of his life (Joshua 23).
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv24–26 Vers. 24-29. After the installation of Joshua, only one…
Vers. 24-29. After the installation of Joshua, only one thing remained for Moses to do that all things might be set in order before his departure. This was the finishing of the writing of the Book of the Law, and the committing it finally to the priests, to be by them placed by the ark of the covenant, that it might be kept for all future generations as a witness against the people, whose apostasy and rebellion were foreseen.
Whether this section is to be regarded as wholly written by Moses himself, or as an appendix to his writing added by some other writer, has been made matter of question. It is quite possible, however, that Moses himself, ere he laid down the pen, may have recorded what he said when delivering the Book of the Law to the priests, and there is nothing in the manner or style of the record to render it probable that it was added by another. What follows from ver. 30 to the end of the book was probably added to the writing of Moses by some one after his death, though, of course, both the song in Deuteronomy 32, and the blessing in Deuteronomy 33, are the composition of Moses (see Introduction,
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Vers. 24-30. The Divine testimony deposited in the ark.
Moses, being thus commissioned of God to utter the inspired warning, loses no time in summoning the congregation. But while doing so, he gives precise directions to the Kohathites, who had charge of the ark, to deposit his manuscripts within it. Is anything to be learned from this consignment of the sacred books?
I THE SACRED BOOKS ARE NOT COMPLIMENTARY TO HUMAN NATURE. The Pentateuch, in its tremendous charges and indictments against mankind, is in unison with the rest of the Word. It is a sustained witness against the human race. "Others may perhaps suspect," says Henry Rogers, "that Jewish vanity led the writers thus to ignore or treat lightly the affairs of all nations except their own. The answer is concise, but conclusive. Let Jewish vanity in general be what the reader pleases, these writers would seem to have had none of it. If they have passed by the glorious achievements of secular history, they have recorded all the infamies of their own nation; and, indeed, their principal references to other nations are as "scourges" of their own scourges justly sent, they confess and avow, for apostasies which had wearied out the patience of Heaven!" The marvel is that the Jews and Christians should conspire to preserve what is a most humiliating account of the race.
II THE ARK WAS THE TREASURE-HOUSE OF GOD PROTECTED BY HIS PRESENCE. It was the "safe" of Israel, not, alas! "fire-proof," like Milner"s, as the Babylonians demonstrated, yet as durable and as sacred as the times allowed. It was fenced around by the holiest sanctions. Nowhere could the manuscripts be so safe. Now, the ark is regarded as a type of Jesus; and if so, then the depositing of the Law within the ark would convey the idea of the Law of God being within the heart of Christ. (Psa_40:8) In other words, Jesus Christ embodies the Divine Law or will, add is at once its most brilliant exposition and the most tremendous indictment of human nature. The Jews were not so careful of the living Law as their forefathers were of the written Law. They recognized its charge against themselves: the charge had become oral; it walked before them; it was something that they could not shake off except through the desperate alternative of assassination. They killed in Christ their living Conscience.
III WE SHOULD LEARN FROM THE EXAMPLE OF CHRIST TO TREASURE UP GOD"S LAW WITHIN OUR OWN HEARTS. We cannot have too much of the Bible in our minds and memories. The more we study it, the more like Christ shall we become. He whose "delight is in the Law of the Lord, and in his Law doth he meditate day and night," is blessed, and he shall be like the tree whose roots are in the waters, duly fruitful and ever green. (Psa_1:2, Psa_1:3) His conscience shall be reinforced and become increasingly tender; his heart shall be elevated in its affections and longings; and his mind shall be trained to what is high and holy. Thus is the whole being enriched and the life enlarged. May we deposit the Word of God with as much care in our hearts as the Levites did the rolls of Moses in the ark! R.M.E.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v24 witness against you
witness against you
Moses speaks to the Levites as if they were one man, so the word "you" is singular. (See: Forms of You)
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translationWords
Moses
word
law
command
Levi
ark of the covenant
testimony
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On v26 31:26 beside the Ark: Unlike the stone tablets, the…
31:26 beside the Ark: Unlike the stone tablets, the scroll of Deuteronomy was not to be placed in the Ark but near it, in the inner sanctuary of the Tabernacle and, later, of the Temple (see 31:9; Exod 25:16; 26:33). • a witness: Like the song that the Israelites were to sing (see Deut 31:19), the presence of the scroll of Deuteronomy would be a perpetual reminder of Israel’s covenant obligations and privileges (see 31:10, 19).
Tyndale Open Study Notes — © Tyndale Open Resources, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Text via the HelloAO Bible API.