Deuteronomy 31:24

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 31:24 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “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,” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

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,
Deuteronomy 31:24 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 31

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
24And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, etc.] In this book of Deuteronomy, and which concluded the Pentateuch: until they were finished; all the words of the law, and the whole five books of Moses, excepting some few verses, (<053401>Deuteronomy 34:1-12), which were added by another hand, Joshua or Ezra.”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Moses completes the writing out of the book of the Law, and directs it to be placed by the ark of the covenant. Deuteronomy 31:24 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 Matthew 22:40; Galatians 4:21). Deuteronomy 31:25 The Levites, which bare the ark - i. e., as in Deuteronomy 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 Numbers 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…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“writing the words: Deu 31:9, Deu 17:18 Deuteronomy 31:25”
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Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“With the installation of Joshua on the part of God, the official life of Moses was brought to a close. Having returned from the tabernacle, he finished the writing out of the laws, and then gave the book of the law to the Levites, with a command to put it by the side of the ark of the covenant, that it might be there for a witness against the people, as He knew its rebellion and stiffneckedness ( Deu 31:24-27). על־ספר כּתב, to write upon a book, equivalent to write down, commit to writing. תּמּם עד, till their being finished, i.e., complete. By the "Levites who bare the ark of the covenant" we are not to understand ordinary Levites, but the Levitical priests, who were entrusted with the ark.…”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification