BibleWord.ai› Bible› Deuteronomy› Chapter 4› Verse 44

Deuteronomy 4:44

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Deuteronomy 4:44 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel:
Deuteronomy 4:44 — American Standard Version

Context — Deuteronomy 4

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
41Then Moses set apart three cities beyond the Jordan toward the sunrising;
42that the manslayer might flee thither, that slayeth his neighbor unawares, and hated him not in time past; and that fleeing unto one of these cities he might live:
43[namely], Bezer in the wilderness, in the plain country, for the Reubenites; and Ramoth in Gilead, for the Gadites; and Golan in Bashan, for the Manassites.
44And this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel:
45these are the testimonies, and the statutes, and the ordinances, which Moses spake unto the children of Israel, when they came forth out of Egypt,
46beyond the Jordan, in the valley over against Beth-peor, in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who dwelt at Heshbon, whom Moses and the children of Israel smote, when they came forth out of Egypt.
47And they took his land in possession, and the land of Og king of Bashan, the two kings of the Amorites, who were beyond the Jordan toward the sunrising;
← Deuteronomy 4:43Deuteronomy 4:45 →
← Full Chapter 4 Deuteronomy Overview

What do historical commentaries say?

Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel--This is a preface to the rehearsal of the law, which, with the addition of various explanatory circumstances, the following chapters contain.”
Read attributed excerpt →
Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“These verses would be more properly assigned to the next chapter. They are intended to serve as the announcement and introduction of the address now to be commenced. Deuteronomy 4:44 gives a kind of general title to the whole of the weighty address, including in fact the central part and substance of the book, which now follows in 22 chapters, divided into two groups: (a) Deut. 5–11, (b) Deut. 12–26. The address was delivered when they had already received the first-fruits of those promises Deuteronomy 4:46, the full fruition of which was to be consequent on their fulfillment of that covenant now again about to be rehearsed to them in its leading features. Deuteronomy 4:48 Sion must not be…”
Read attributed excerpt →
Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“This is the law - More punctually expressed in the following chapter, to which these words are a preface. Next: Deuteronomy Chapter 5”
Read attributed excerpt →
Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“4:44 body of instruction (Hebrew torah): The Hebrew noun is derived from the verb yarah, “to teach”; its basic meaning is instruction. The Greek Old Testament understands the term to mean “law.” In this context, the term introduces the body of instruction in the remainder of Deuteronomy (see study note on 5:1–26:19).”
Read attributed excerpt →
Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“This is evidently an introduction to the discourse of the subsequent chapters. Moses having practically improved some particulars in the history of Israel, proceeded to repeat and enforce the laws which he had delivered before, with additions and explanations, beginning with the ten commandments. Deu 1:5, Deu 17:18, Deu 17:19, Deu 27:3, Deu 27:8, Deu 27:26, Deu 33:4; Lev 27:34; Num 36:13; Mal 4:4; Joh 1:17 Deuteronomy 4:45”
Read attributed excerpt →
Keil & Delitzsch
C. F. Keil & F. Delitzsch · Commentary on the Old Testament · 19th-century historical commentary
“Announcement of the Discourse upon the Law. - First of all, in Deu 4:44, we have the general notice in the form of a heading: "This is the Thorah which Moses set before the children of Israel;" and then, in Deu 4:45, Deu 4:46, a fuller description of the Thorah according to its leading features, "testimonies, statutes, and rights" (see at Deu 4:1), together with a notice of the place and time at which Moses delivered this address. "On their coming out of Egypt," i.e., not "after they had come out," but during the march, before they had reached the goal of their journeyings, viz., ( Deu 4:46) when they were still on the other side of the Jordan. "In the valley," as in Deu 3:29. "In the land…”
Read attributed excerpt →

Related study paths

Read Deuteronomy 4 in contextBrowse Hebrew word studiesOpen this verse in the study reader

Sources and verification