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In this outstanding commentary, Gordon McConville offers a theological interpretation of the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy in the context of the biblical canon.
He gives due attention to historical issues where these bear on what can be known about the settings in which the text emerged. His dominant method is one that approaches Deuteronomy as a finished work.
Dr McConville argues that in the context of the ancient world, Deuteronomy should be understood as the radical blueprint for the life of a people, at the same time both spiritual and political, and profoundly different from every other social, political and religious programme.
The book incorporates the tension between an open-ended vision of a perfectly ordered society under God, and practical provisions for dealing with the frailty and imperfections of real people. Hence, it is capable of informing our thinking about the organisation of societies while maintaining a vision of the kingdom of God.
Author's preface 10
Abbreviations 11
Introduction 17
1. The name of the book 17
2. Its place in the canon 17
3. The distinctive features of Deuteronomy 18
4. The critical interpretation of Deuteronomy 21
4.1. Deuteronomy and Josiah's reform 21
4.2. The reform as a royal programme 24
4.3. The development of Old Testament religion 26
4.4. Deuteronomy as a literary tradition 28
4.5. Conclusion 30
5. A fresh approach to Deuteronomy 33
5.1. Setting and ideology 33
5.2. The thesis above may be retold as a 'story' 36
6. The composition of Deuteronomy 38
7. The reading of Deuteronomy 40
7.1. Deuteronomy and its audiences 41
7.2. Deuteronomy and theology 42
7.3. Deuteronomy in biblical theology 45
8. The form and aims of this commentary 51
Text and commentary 53
Bibliography 480
Index of Scripture references 511
Index of authors 535
Index of subjects 539