Deuteronomy 31:1

“And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel.] The following words, even to the whole body of the people summoned together on this occasion. It seems that after Moses had made the covenant with them he was directed to, he dismissed the people to their tents, and went to his own, and now returned, having ordered them to meet him again, very probably at the tabernacle; with which agrees the Targum of Jonathan, he “went to the tabernacle of the house of doctrine;” though, according to Aben Ezra, he went to the each tribes separately, as they lay encamped; his words are these, “he went to every tribe and tribe, to acquaint them that he was about to die, and that they might not be afraid,…”

“MOSES ENCOURAGES THE PEOPLE AND JOSHUA. (Deu 31:1-8) Moses went and spake--It is probable that this rehearsal of the law extended over several successive days; and it might be the last and most important day on which the return of Moses to the place of assembly is specially noticed. In drawing his discourse towards a conclusion, he adverted to his advanced age; and although neither his physical nor intellectual powers had suffered any decay (Deu 34:7), yet he knew, by a special revelation, that the time had arrived when he was about to be withdrawn from the superintendence and government of Israel.”

“Went and spake - Continued to speak, an usual Hebrew phrase. Deuteronomy 31:2”

“31:1-29 For covenant documents to have abiding authority and relevance, they must be kept perpetually in a place where both parties could have easy access to them. The book of Deuteronomy had to be preserved for future reference so that Israel would always be reminded to submit to the Lord’s sovereignty. 31:1-8 Moses’ impending death meant that his role as covenant administrator would soon be over. Joshua had to be properly and publicly introduced as his successor with the same authority. 31:1 Based on the context, these instructions refers to all of Deuteronomy (see 1:1).”

“Deu 31:1-13 describe how Moses promised the help of the Lord in the conquest of the land, both to the people generally, and also to Joshua, their leader into Canaan ( Deu 31:2-8), and commanded the priests to keep the book of the law, and read it publicly every seventh year ( Deu 31:9-13); and Deu 31:14-23, how the Lord appeared to Moses before the tabernacle, and directed him to compose an ode as a testimony against the apostasy of the people, and promised Joshua His assistance. And lastly, Deu 31:24-27 relate how the book of the law, when brought to completion, was handed over to the Levites; and Deu 31:28-30 describe the reading of the ode to the people. Deu 31:1-8 In Deu 31:1 Moses'…”