Moses encourageth the people, and Josue, who is appointed to succeed him. He delivereth the law to the priests. God foretelleth that the people will often forsake him, and that he will punish them. He commandeth Moses to write a canticle, as a constant remembrancer of the law.
Moyses substituteth Iosue his successour in temporal gouernment. 9. deliuereth the law to the Priestes. 16. God fortelleth that the people wil often forsake him, and that he wil punish them. 19. commandeth Moyses to write a canticle, (an abrigement of the Law) easie to be remembred. 25. and in further testimonie against them, the Leuites must put this booke in the arke of couenant.
1And Moses went, and spoke all these words to all Israel,Andò adunque Mosè, e dichiarò tutte queste cose a tutto quanto Israele,MOYSES therfore went, and spake al these wordes to al Israel,Abiit itaque Moyses, et locutus est omnia verba hæc ad universum Israël, 2And he said to them: I am this day a hundred and twenty years old, I can no longer go out and come in, especially as the Lord also hath said to me: Thou shalt not pass over this Jordan.E disse loro: Io sono oggi in età di cento venti anni, non posso più andare, e venire, particolarmente avendomi detto il Signore: Tu non passerai questo fiume Giordano.and said to them: I am this day a hundred and twentie yeares old, I can not goe out and come in any longer, especially wheras our Lord also hath said to me: Thou shalt not passe ouer this Iordan.et dixit ad eos: Centum viginti annorum sum hodie; non possum ultra egredi et ingredi, præsertim cum et Dominus dixerit mihi: Non transibis Jordanem istum. 3The Lord thy God then will pass over before thee: he will destroy all these nations in thy sight, and thou shalt possess them: and this Josue shall go over before thee, as the Lord hath spoken.Il Signore Dio tuo andrà adunque innanzi a te: egli sterminerà al tuo ingresso tutte queste nazioni, e tu avrai il loro dominio, e questo Giosuè passerà innanzi a te, come ha detto il Signore.Our Lord therfore thy God wil passe ouer before thee: he wil destroy al these nations in thy sight, and thou shalt possesse them: and this Iosue shal passe ouer before thee, as our Lord hath spoken.Dominus ergo Deus tuus transibit ante te: ipse delebit omnes gentes has in conspectu tuo, et possidebis eas: et Josue iste transibit ante te, sicut locutus est Dominus. 4And the Lord shall do to them as he did to Sehon and Og the kings of the Amorrhites, and to their land, and shall destroy them.E il Signore farà a quelle genti, come fece a Sehon, e ad Og regi degli Amorrhei e al loro paese, e le sterminerà.And our Lord shal doe to them as he did to Sehon and Og the kinges of the Ammorheites, and to their land, and shal destroy them.Facietque Dominus eis sicut fecit Sehon et Og regibus Amorrhæorum, et terræ eorum, delebitque eos. 5Therefore when the Lord shall have delivered these also to you, you shall do in like manner to them as I have commanded you.Quando adunque anche queste avrà egli date in vostro potere, voi farete riguardo ad esse, come io vi ho ordinato.Therfore when our Lord shal haue deliuered these also to you, you shal doe in like manner to them as I haue commanded you.Cum ergo et hos tradiderit vobis, similiter facietis eis, sicut præcepi vobis.
6Do manfully and be of good heart: fear not, nor be ye dismayed at their sight: for the Lord thy God he himself is thy leader, and will not leave thee nor forsake thee.Fatevi cuore, siate costanti; non vi prenda timore, o sbigottimento al cospetto di esse: perocché il Signore Dio tuo egli è tuo condottiere, e non ti lascerà, e non ti abbandonerà.Doe manfully, and be strengthned: feare not, neither tremble ye at their sight: because our Lord thy God him selfe is thy conductor, and wil not leaue, nor forsake thee.Viriliter agite, et confortamini: nolite timere, nec paveatis ad conspectum eorum: quia Dominus Deus tuus ipse est ductor tuus, et non dimittet, nec derelinquet te. 7And Moses called Josue, and said to him before all Israel: Take courage, and be valiant: for thou shalt bring this people into the land which the Lord swore he would give to their fathers, and thou shalt divide it by lot.E Mosè chiamò Giosuè, e alla presenza di tutto Israele gli disse: Fatti coraggio, e prendi vigore: perocché tu introdurrai questo popolo nella terra che il Signore giurò di dare ai padri loro, e tu la dividerai a sorte.And Moyses called Iosue, and said to him before al Israel: Take courage, and be strong: for thou shalt bring in this people into the Land, which our Lord sware that he would geue to their fathers, and thou shalt diuide it by lotte.Vocavitque Moyses Josue, et dixit ei coram omni Israël: Confortare, et esto robustus: tu enim introduces populum istum in terram, quam daturum se patribus eorum juravit Dominus, et tu eam sorte divides. 8And the Lord who is your leader, he himself will be with thee: he will not leave thee, nor forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed.E il Signore che è vostro condottiere, sarà egli con te: non ti lascerà, e non ti abbandonerà: non temere, e non isbigottirti.And our Lord that is your conductor, him selfe wil be with thee: he wil not leaue, nor forsake thee: feare not, neither dread thou.Et Dominus qui ductor est vester, ipse erit tecum: non dimittet, nec derelinquet te: noli timere, nec paveas. 9And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it to the priests the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, and to all the ancients of Israel.Scrisse adunque Mosè questa legge, e la diede ai sacerdoti figliuoli di Levi, i quali portavano l'arca dell'alleanza del Signore, e a tutti i seniori d'Israele.Moyses therfore wrote this law, and deliuered it to the priestes the sonnes of Leui, which caried the arke of the couenant of our Lord, and to al the ancientes of Israel.Scripsit itaque Moyses legem hanc, et tradidit eam sacerdotibus filiis Levi, qui portabant arcam fœderis Domini, et cunctis senioribus Israël.
10And he commanded them, saying: After seven years, in the year of remission, in the feast of tabernacles,E ordinò loro, e disse: Ogni sette anni, nell'anno di remissione alla solennità de' tabernacoli,And he commanded them saying: After seuen yeares, in the yeare of remission, in the solemnitie of tabernacles,Præcepitque eis, dicens: Post septem annos, anno remissionis, in solemnitate tabernaculorum, 11When all Israel come together, to appear in the sight of the Lord thy God in the place which the Lord shall choose, thou shalt read the words of this law before all Israel, in their hearing.Raunato tutto Israele per presentarsi al cospetto del Signore Dio tuo, nel luogo eletto dal Signore leggerai le parole di questa legge dinanzi a tutto Israele, il quale ascolterà.when al come together out of Israel, to appeare in the sight of our Lord thy God in the place, which our Lord shal choose, thou shalt read the wordes of this law before al Israel, they hearing,convenientibus cunctis ex Israël, ut appareant in conspectu Domini Dei tui in loco quem elegerit Dominus, leges verba legis hujus coram omni Israël, audientibus eis, 12And the people being all assembled together, both men and women, children and strangers, that are within thy gates: that hearing they may learn, and fear the Lord your God, and keep, and fulfil all the words of this law:Raunati tutti insieme tanto uomini, come donne, e i ragazzi, e i forestieri che abitano nelle tue città: affinché udendo imparino a temere il Signore Dio vostro, e custodiscano, e adempiano tutte le parole di questa legge:and the people being assembled together, as wel men as wemen, children, and strangers, that are within thy gates: that hearing they may learne, and feare our Lord your God, and keepe, and fulfil al the wordes of this law.et in unum omni populo congregato, tam viris quam mulieribus, parvulis, et advenis, qui sunt intra portas tuas: ut audientes discant, et timeant Dominum Deum vestrum, et custodiant, impleantque omnes sermones legis hujus. 13That their children also, who now are ignorant, may hear, and fear the Lord their God, all the days that they live in the land whither you are going over the Jordan to possess it.E affinché anche i vostri figliuoli che ora non intendono, possano udire, e temano il Signore Dio loro per tutti i giorni, che staranno nella terra, della quale andate a prender possesso, passato il Giordano.Their children also who now are ignorant; that they may heare, and feare our Lord their God, al the daies that they liue in the Land, which passing ouer Iordan you goe to obteyne.Filii quoque eorum qui nunc ignorant, ut audire possint, et timeant Dominum Deum suum cunctis diebus quibus versantur in terra, ad quam vos, Jordane transmisso, pergitis obtinendam.
14And the Lord said to Moses: Behold the days of thy death are nigh: call Josue, and stand ye in the tabernacle of the testimony, that I may give him a charge. So Moses and Josue went and stood in the tabernacle of the testimony:E il Signore disse a Mosè: Si avvicina ormai il giorno della tua morte: chiama Giosuè, e tenetevi nel tabernacolo del testamento, affinché io gli dia ordini. Andarono adunque Mosè, e Giosuè, e si fermarono nel tabernacolo del testamento:And our Lord said to Moyses: Behold the daies of thy death are nigh: cal Iosue, and stand ye in the tabernacle of testimonie, that I may command him. Moyses therfore and Iosue went, and stoode in the tabernacle of testimonie,Et ait Dominus ad Moysen: Ecce prope sunt dies mortis tuæ: voca Josue, et state in tabernaculo testimonii, ut præcipiam ei. Abierunt ergo Moyses et Josue, et steterunt in tabernaculo testimonii: 15And the Lord appeared there in the pillar of a cloud, which stood in the entry of the tabernacle.E il Signore ivi apparve nella colonna della nuvola, la quale si posò all'ingresso del tabernacolo.and our Lord appeared there in the piller of a cloude: which stood in the entring of the tabernacle.apparuitque Dominus ibi in columna nubis, quæ stetit in introitu tabernaculi. 16And the Lord said to Moses: Behold thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, and this people rising up will go a fornicating after strange gods in the land, to which it goeth in to dwell: there will they forsake me, and will make void the covenant, which I have made with them,E il Signore disse a Mosè: Ecco che tu ti addormirai co' padri tuoi, e questo popolo si leverà su, e peccherà cogli dei stranieri nella terra, in cui entra per abitarvi: ivi mi abbandonerà, e violerà il patto fermato con lui da me.And our Lord said to Moyses: Behold thou shalt sleepe with thy fathers, and this people rysing vp wil fornicate after strange goddes in the Land, to the which it entreth to dwel therein: there wil they forsake me, and wil make the couenant, which I haue made with them, of none effect.Dixitque Dominus ad Moysen: Ecce tu dormies cum patribus tuis, et populus iste consurgens fornicabitur post deos alienos in terra, ad quam ingreditur ut habitet in ea: ibi derelinquet me, et irritum faciet fœdus, quod pepigi cum eo. 17And my wrath shall be kindled against them in that day: and I will forsake them, and will hide my face from them, and they shall be devoured: all evils and afflictions shall find them, so that they shall say in that day: In truth it is because God is not with me, that these evils have found me.E il mio furore si accenderà contro di lui in quel giorno: e io lo abbandonerò, e nasconderò a lui la mia faccia, ed ei sarà dato in preda: e cadranno sopra di lui tutti i mali, e sciagure, talmente che dirà egli in quel dì: Veramente perché Dio non è meco, mi son venuti addosso tutti questi mali.And my furie shal be wrath against them in that day: and I wil forsake them, and wil hide my face from them, and they shal be deuoured: al euils and afflictions shal finde them, so that they shal say in that day: In truth because God is not with me, these euils haue found me.Et irascetur furor meus contra eum in die illo: et derelinquam eum, et abscondam faciem meam ab eo, et erit in devorationem: invenient eum omnia mala et afflictiones, ita ut dicat in illo die: Vere quia non est Deus mecum, invenerunt me hæc mala.
18But I will hide, and cover my face in that day, for all the evils which they have done, because they have followed strange gods.E io asconderò, e celerò a lui in quel dì la mia faccia a causa di tutti i mali fatti da lui in andando dietro agli dei stranieri.But I wil hide, and keepe close my face in that day, for al the euils, which they haue done, because they haue folowed strange goddes.Ego autem abscondam, et celabo faciem meam in die illo propter omnia mala, quæ fecit, quia secutus est deos alienos. 19Now therefore write you this canticle, and teach the children of Israel: that they may know it by heart, and sing it by mouth, and this song may be unto me for a testimony among the children of Israel.Adesso pertanto scrivete voi questo cantico, e insegnatelo a' figliuoli d'Israele, affinché lo imparino a memoria, e lo cantino; e questo cantico sia una testimonianza per me tra' figliuoli d'Israele.Now therfore write vnto you this canticle, and teach the children of Israel: that they know it by hart, and sing it by mouth, and this song be vnto me for a testimonie among the children of Israel.Nunc itaque scribite vobis canticum istud, et docete filios Israël: ut memoriter teneant, et ore decantent, et sit mihi carmen istud pro testimonio inter filios Israël. 20For I will bring them into the land, for which I swore to their fathers, that floweth with milk and honey. And when they have eaten, and are full and fat, they will turn away after strange gods, and will serve them: and will despise me, and make void my covenant.Perocché io gl'introdurrò nella terra che scorre latte, e miele, promessa da me con giuramento a' padri loro. Ed eglino quando avranno mangiato, e saranno satolli, e ingrassati, si rivolgeranno agli dei stranieri, e li serviranno: e parleranno contro di me, e violeranno il mio patto.For I wil bring them into the Land, for the which I sware to their fathers, flowing with milke and honie. And when they haue eaten, and are ful, and fatte, they wil turne away to strange goddes, and serue them: and wil detract from me, and make my couenant of none effect.Introducam enim eum in terram, pro qua juravi patribus ejus, lacte et melle manantem. Cumque comederint, et saturati, crassique fuerint, avertentur ad deos alienos, et servient eis: detrahentque mihi, et irritum facient pactum meum. 21And after many evils and afflictions shall have come upon them, this canticle shall answer them for a testimony, which no oblivion shall take away out of the mouth of their seed. For I know their thoughts, and what they are about to do this day, before that I bring them into the land which I have promised them.E allora quando saran caduti sopra di lui molti mali, e sciagure, parlerà contro di essi qual testimone questo cantico, il quale essendo nelle bocche dei loro figliuoli, non sarà mai dimenticato. Imperocché io so i suoi pensieri, e quello ch'ei farà oggi, prima che io lo introduca nella terra, che gli ho promesso.After that manie euils and afflictions shal haue found them, this canticle shal answer them for a testimonie, which no obliuion shal take away out of the mouth of their seede. For I know their cogitations, what thinges they are about to doe this day, before that I bring them into the Land, which I haue promised them.Postquam invenerint eum mala multa et afflictiones, respondebit ei canticum istud pro testimonio, quod nulla delebit oblivio ex ore seminis sui. Scio enim cogitationes ejus, quæ facturus sit hodie, antequam introducam eum in terram, quam ei pollicitus sum.
22Moses therefore wrote the canticle, and taught it to the children of Israel.Scrisse adunque Mosè il cantico, e lo insegnò ai figliuoli d'Israele.Moyses therfore wrote the canticle, and taught it the children of Israel.Scripsit ergo Moyses canticum, et docuit filios Israël. 23And the Lord commanded Josue the son of Nun, and said: Take courage, and be valiant: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the land which I have promised, and I will be with thee.E il Signore ordinò, e disse a Giosuè figliuolo di Nun: Fatti coraggio, e prendi vigore, imperocché tu introdurrai i figliuoli d'Israele nella terra che io loro promisi, e io sarò teco.And our Lord commanded Iosue the sonne of Nun, and said: Take courage, and be strong: for thou shalt bring the children of Israel into the Land, which I haue promised, and I wil be with theePræcepitque Dominus Josue filio Nun, et ait: Confortare, et esto robustus: tu enim introduces filios Israël in terram, quam pollicitus sum, et ego ero tecum. 24Therefore after Moses had wrote the words of this law in a volume, and finished it:Quando adunque Mosè ebbe finito di scrivere in un libro le parole di questa legge,Therfore after that Moyses wrote the wordes of this law in a volume, and finished it:Postquam ergo scripsit Moyses verba legis hujus in volumine, atque complevit, 25He commanded the Levites, who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord, saying:Ordinò, e disse ai Leviti, i quali portavan l'arca del testamento del Signore:he commanded the Leuites, that caried the arke of the couenant of our Lord, saying:præcepit Levitis, qui portabant arcam fœderis Domini, dicens: 26Take this book, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the Lord your God: that it may be there for a testimony against thee.Prendete questo libro, e mettetelo in un lato dell'arca del testamento del Signore Dio vostro; affinché ivi rimanga qual testimone contro di te (o Israele):Take this booke, and put it in the side of the arke of the couenant of our Lord your God: that it may be for a testimonie against thee.Tollite librum istum, et ponite eum in latere arcæ fœderis Domini Dei vestri: ut sit ibi contra te in testimonium. 27For I know thy obstinacy, and thy most stiff neck. While I am yet living, and going in with you, you have always been rebellious against the Lord: how much more when I shall be dead?Imperocché io conosco la tua contumacia, e la durezza grande della tua testa. Tuttora vivendo io, e conversando con voi, sempre voi altercaste contro il Signore: quanto più allorché io sarò morto?For I know thy contention, and thy most stiffe necke. Whiles I yet liue and goe in with you, you haue done alwayes contenciously against our Lord: how much more when I shal be dead.Ego enim scio contentionem tuam, et cervicem tuam durissimam. Adhuc vivente me et ingrediente vobiscum, semper contentiose egistis contra Dominum: quanto magis cum mortuus fuero ?
28Gather unto me all the ancients of your tribes, and your doctors, and I will speak these words in their hearing, and will call heaven and earth to witness against them.Raunate dinanzi a me tutti i seniori di ciascheduna delle vostre tribù, e i dottori; e io esporrò dinanzi a loro le mie parole, e invocherò contro di essi il cielo, e la terra.Gather to me al the ancientes by your tribes, and your doctors, and I wil speake these wordes in their hearing, and wil inuocate against them heauen and earth.Congregate ad me omnes majores natu per tribus vestras, atque doctores, et loquar audientibus eis sermones istos, et invocabo contra eos cælum et terram. 29For I know that, after my death, you will do wickedly, and will quickly turn aside from the way that I have commanded you: and evils shall come upon you in the latter times, when you shall do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke him by the works of your hands.Perocché io so, come voi dopo la mia morte vi porterete iniquamente, e uscirete ben presto fuori della strada, che io vi ho insegnata: e vi avverranno molti mali negli ultimi tempi, allorché avrete fatto il male al cospetto del Signore, provocandolo a sdegno colle opere delle vostre mani.For I know that after my death you wil doe wickedly, and wil decline quickly from the way, that I haue commanded you: and euils shal come vpon you in the later times, when you shal doe euil in the sight of our Lord, to prouoke him by the workes of your handes.Novi enim quod post mortem meam inique agetis, et declinabitis cito de via, quam præcepi vobis: et occurrent vobis mala in extremo tempore, quando feceritis malum in conspectu Domini, ut irritetis eum per opera manuum vestrarum. 30Moses therefore spoke, in the hearing of the whole assembly of Israel, the words of this canticle, and finished it even to the end.Intonò adunque Mosè, e recitò sino al fine le parole di questo cantico, stando l'adunanza tutta d'Israele ad ascoltarlo.Moyses therfore spake, in the hearing of the whole assemblie of Israel, the wordes of this song, and finished it euen to the end.Locutus est ergo Moyses, audiente universo cœtu Israël, verba carminis hujus, et ad finem usque complevit.
31:1
Year of the World 2553.
Menochius
Went. Began. (Menochius)
Calmet
"Concluded." Septuagint, continued, or, just before he dismissed the audience, he spoke to them as follows. (Calmet)
31:2
Menochius
Come in, to conduct you. (Menochius)
Haydock
Especially. Hebrew, "and the Lord." It was not the want of strength, which hindered Moses from continuing to perform his arduous functions, as he was still full of vigour both in soul and body; (chap. 34:7.; Calmet) but it was his submission to the will of God, who had resolved thus to punish his former diffidence. (Haydock)
31:3
Haydock
Then. This word is not in Hebrew or the Septuagint; neither does Moses mean to insinuate, that God would take his place in conducting the people; but only that after he should be no more, the divine Providence would no less watch over his people, and direct the councils of Josue, who stood beside him. (Haydock)
Menochius
The ark preceded the army, (Josue iii.) and God invisibly put the enemies of Israel to flight. (Menochius)
31:7
Haydock
Called. Hebrew, "unto Josue." He did this publicly that no dispute might arise after his death, respecting the choice of a successor. (Haydock)
Calmet
Lot. Hebrew and Chaldean, "thou shalt put them in possession of it." (Calmet)
31:9
Menochius
This law of Deuteronomy. (Menochius)
Calmet
Some think that he had written so far before he came to the assembly, as well as the Canticle; because God commanded him the same day to ascend the mount, Deuteronomy 32:48. (Calmet)
But Moses did not speak the discourses recorded in this book, at one time. After he had, therefore, dismissed the people with his blessing, and with an assurance that God would be with their newly appointed leader, he committed to writing what he had delivered by God's order, at different times, and gave a copy of the Pentateuch to the priests, who were to keep it carefully on the side of the ark, and explain it to the people, particularly every seventh year. The Jews understand this law to mean the whole Pentateuch. It may denote also, more particularly (Haydock) Deuteronomy, as far as this place, or the 27th, and three subsequent chapters of it. He gave two copies; one to be deposited beside the ark, and the other (ver. 26,) to be kept by the priests. In all contracts of consequence, this method is observed, one copy being laid carefully by, and the other left in the hands of those who may be concerned, Jeremias 32:12. The Rabbins say that 13 copies were taken; one for each of the 12 tribes, and one to be placed on the side of the ark. But of this new assertion we must not expect to hear any proof.
Calmet
Priests, whose duty it is to instruct the people, Malachias 2:7. (Calmet)
Haydock
Ancients, or magistrates, who must put the law in execution, and guide their decisions by it. (Haydock)
Calmet
The mention of the ark in this place, is to insinuate that the book was to be deposited on one side of it, ver. 26. The priests might carry the ark, if they thought proper, (Menochius) as they did sometimes on the more solemn occasions; (Josue ii., and vi., and 1 Kings 4:4,) though the duty belonged to the Levites, Numbers iii., and 4:The pagans placed their sacred books in their temples, under the care of the priests, who were obliged to transcribe them. (Calmet)
31:10
Haydock
Years commenced. Hebrew, "at the extremity of seven years." The sabbatic years began at the expiration of every six years, (Haydock) after the land of Chanaan was conquered, (Calmet) or perhaps after the passage of the Jordan, which took place soon after this discourse was made. Josue spent above six years in the conquest of the country, and then divided it among the tribes. The seventh year was the first year of remission; as the Israelites, particularly on the east side of the Jordan, had already enjoyed the benefits of the country for a considerable time. If they had been required to wait till the whole had been conquered, no sabbatical year would have been of obligation before the reign of Solomon, as he had still some of the devoted nations to subdue. See Exodus xxiii., and Leviticus xxv. (Salien, in the year before Christ 1463) At this time, the ark was removed from Galgala to Silo, where it remained about 350 years, Josue xviii. (Haydock)
31:11
Calmet
Thou shalt. Septuagint, "you shall read." Josephus says, the high priest had to perform this office; while the Rabbins assert, that the chief magistrate, Moses, and his successors, the kings of Juda, had to read the law publicly. The princes did this in the court of the temple, designed for the women, as they also were bound to hear it. We find that Josias read aloud in the temple the words of the covenant, which have been lately discovered, 4 Kings 23:2. (Calmet)
Haydock
But Esdras, a Levite, did the like; (1 Esdras 8:2,) and the command seems to be directed chiefly to the priests, from whose number Moses was not excluded, Psalm 98:6. (Haydock)
31:12
Calmet
Children, (parvulis.) Those who were above 12 years of age, attended the festivals as much as possible, particularly the three great ones. Even little children came to the temple, when they did not live at too great a distance. The lawgiver knew of what importance it was to inspire their tender minds with a love and respect for religion, and for the laws. (Calmet)
31:14
Menochius
In the court, as none but priests were allowed to enter the tabernacle. (Menochius)
31:17
Calmet
My face, as one indignant and much displeased. (Calmet)
Menochius
I will withdraw my special protection and favours from them. (Menochius)
31:19
Haydock
This canticle, which will be given in the following chapter. Hence this law, (ver. 9,) may comprise not only what had gone before, but also the remaining part of the book of Deuteronomy. This Moses would write before his death, and deliver entire, with the preceding books, to be kept with the utmost care, by the priests, as a testimony to remind all of what had happened in past ages, and what would befall the transgressors of God's law. (Haydock)
The canticle, containing an abridgment of the book of Deuteronomy, (Calmet) as the latter did of the whole law, was to be copied out more frequently, (Haydock) and committed to memory. Some suppose that Moses and Josue are here ordered to see this put in execution. Others think that Moses gives this commission to the priests.
Haydock
That they. Hebrew, "put it in their mouths, (Calmet) that this song may be a witness for me against," etc. God foresaw that the Israelites would prove rebellious; but he leaves them without excuse, as they could not plead ignorance. (Haydock)
Worthington
This testimony against them was written in the form of a canticle, that it might be more easily remembered. (Worthington)
31:20
31:21
Thoughts. Hebrew, "imagination." Septuagint, "wickedness."
Haydock
Them. Hebrew, "concerning which I swore." Septuagint add, "to their fathers." (Haydock)
31:23
Haydock
The Lord. Hebrew has not this word, so that it would seem as if Moses had given this charge to Josue; but the context shews (Calmet) that it was the Lord; (ver. 14.) for he swore to give the land of Israel. The Septuagint insert the words Moses and the Lord. "And Moses commanded Josue....the land which the Lord swore." (Haydock)
Menochius
This is the first time that God addresses Josue, in order to confirm his authority. (Menochius)
31:26
Calmet
Side. But not within, (Menochius) according to the generality of interpreters, whom Calmet follows, Exodus 25:10. 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 it in a coffer of gold, 1 Kings 6:8. We read (3 Kings 8:9,) 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 9:4,) 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)
Haydock
This difficulty cannot, however, be now easily decided, as the Scripture often uses the word in to denote near to, etc., ver. 14. The coffer of the Philistines might also be on the outside of the ark. (Haydock)
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)
Calmet
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 22:8. (Calmet)
Haydock
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)
31:2
He meaneth that he cā not exercise the office of a captaine general, and bring the people into the promised land.
31:19
M••ter is more easily kept in memorie then prose.
And so by this Canticle they are conuinced that they were abundantly for warned, not to breake couenāt with God.
31:22
The eleuenth prophecie in the office before Masse on Easter eue. And the third on whitsuneue.
31:2
St Justin Martyr † AD 165 Dialogue with Trypho 126
… For thus the Scripture says: ‘And the Lord said to Moses, Will the Lord’s hand not be sufficient? thou shalt know now whether my word shall conceal thee or not.’ And again, in other words, it thus says: ‘But the Lord spake unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan: the Lord thy God, who goeth before thy face, He shall cut off the nations.’
31:3
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 A Treatise on the Spirit and the Letter 1
… you may read, too, that twelve thousand legions of angels could possibly have fought for Christ and rescued Him from suffering, but in fact did not; you may read that it was possible for the nations to be exterminated at once out of the land which was given to the children of Israel,
St Augustine of Hippo † AD 430 A Treatise on the Spirit and the Letter 62
… We accordingly adduced certain cases out of the gospel and of the law, at the beginning of this work,—such as the passing of a camel through the eye of a needle; and the twelve thousand legions of angels, who could fight for Christ, if He pleased; and those nations which God said He could have exterminated at once from the face of His people,
31:7
St Ignatius of Antioch † AD 108 Epistle to Hero, a Deacon of Antioch 8
… And do not reckon this which I have said presumptuous on my part; for although we are not such as they were, yet we at least pray that we may be so, since indeed we are the children of Abraham. Be strong, therefore, O Hero, like a hero, and like a man. For from henceforth thou shalt lead
31:16
St Justin Martyr † AD 165 Dialogue with Trypho 74
… As [is clearly seen ] also by the land into which [He said] He would bring [your fathers]; [for He thus speaks]:
31:20
St Hippolytus † AD 235 The Refutation of All Heresies 5.3
… Who hath ears,” he says, “to hear, let him hear.” The meaning of this, he says, is as follows, that none becomes a hearer of these mysteries, unless only the perfect Gnostics. This, he says, is the fair and good land which Moses speaks of: “I will bring you into a fair and good land, into a land flowing with milk and honey.”
31:1
1. MOSES THEREFORE WENT, AND SPOKE, that is to say, he added therefore, or Moses began to speak the words that follow: for the Hebrews by going forth, going away, rising up, often understand beginning: "he went" therefore, that is, he began. Thus Abulensis and Oleaster. 2. I CANNOT ANY LONGER GO OUT AND COME IN, I cannot any longer lead you, and be your leader, both on account of old age, and because God forbade me to enter the promised land, as follows. Thus Oleaster. 3. THE LORD YOUR GOD THEREFORE SHALL GO BEFORE YOU, not by changing place, but by working and defeating your enemies, that is to say, God will be your leader even into Chanaan.
31:9
MOSES THEREFORE WROTE THIS LAW, namely of Deuteronomy. Note: Moses wrote these things (equally as the canticle following, chapter xxxii, as is evident from verse 22 here) before he spoke and promulgated them to the people. For on the same day on which Moses spoke these things, and blessed the people, he ascended into mount Nebo, as is evident from the following chapter, verse 48, and there he died: for Moses could not on the same day speak all of Deuteronomy at once, and write it. Thus Abulensis. Hence it appears that Moses did not speak all of Deuteronomy in a single instance: both because this would have been long and tedious; and because after he began to speak it, before he finished, he wrote it, as is said here.
31:10
10 and 11. After seven years (to be reckoned from the division and peaceful possession of the holy land), IN THE YEAR OF REMISSION, IN THE SOLEMNITY OF TABERNACLES, etc., READ THE WORDS OF THIS LAW. Therefore every seventh year, Deuteronomy ought to be read publicly, before all, even before little children. For first impressions are the strongest. Whence Aristotle: It matters greatly, he says, from youth to be accustomed thus or thus. Hence also Plato commanded that men be instructed from tender years to rejoice and grieve rightly, because in these things perfect discipline consists, namely that we should rejoice in virtues, grieve in vices. Mystically, the seventh year of remission is the time of grace, in which Christ and the Apostles promulgated the second law, namely the Evangelical law. Thus Cyril in the Glaphyra.
31:13
13. THEIR CHILDREN ALSO WHO NOW KNOW NOT, namely the little ones, who have as yet known nothing, and therefore likewise know not this law of God.
31:16
16. THIS PEOPLE RISING UP SHALL COMMIT FORNICATION WITH STRANGE GODS, shall follow strange gods, and shall worship them, forsaking me; for idolatry is called fornication by the Prophets. 17. I will hide my face from him, withdrawing from him my protection.
31:19
19. WRITE YOU THIS CANTICLE (namely this song of which chapter XXXII), AND TEACH IT TO THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL, THAT, etc., IT MAY BE FOR A TESTIMONY, namely of their own iniquity and the justice of God.
31:21
I KNOW HIS THOUGHTS, WHICH HE IS ABOUT TO DO THIS DAY. The "this day" is to be referred, not to "he is about to do," but to "I know," that is to say, I know this day and from now, the disposition and propensity of this people toward idols and other evils, and that he shall actually do those things in his own time.
31:26
26. TAKE THIS BOOK (of Deuteronomy), AND PUT IT AT THE SIDE OF THE ARK OF THE COVENANT OF THE LORD. Not that this book was placed within the ark itself, in some corner of it, or was commanded to be placed: for in the ark only the tables of the law were deposited, as is evident from III Kings viii, 9, and II Paralipomenon v, 10; but that it was placed at the side of the ark, as the Hebrew has it, that is outside the ark, in the border, or in the bosom of it, or near it, together with the rod of Aaron, and the urn containing the manna, as Abulensis says, from which place after the temple was built, it seems to have been transferred to the treasury, or to the place of treasures, as is gathered from II Paralipomenon XXXIV, 14.
31:27
27. I know thy contention, and thy most stiff neck, that is to say, Because thou, O Hebrew people, art stubborn and prone to contention and rebellion, and couldst impudently deny that ever this law was given to thee by me; therefore I will that this book of the law be laid up in the ark, and thence be brought forth against thee for a testimony, when need shall be. Note: God here addresses the Levites as if they were the whole people, because they, being priests and Levites, represented the whole people. 28. I WILL CALL HEAVEN AND EARTH TO WITNESS AGAINST THEM, that they may be witnesses of those things which I say, namely of your future transgression as well as punishment. Whence the following canticle, which is about this matter, thus begins: "Hear, O heavens, the things I speak, let the earth hear the words of my mouth." See the words at chapter IV, verse 26. 29. BY THE WORKS OF YOUR HANDS, by your wicked actions. Secondly, by the idols which you shall make with your hands and worship. Thus Abulensis.
31:30
30. THEREFORE MOSES SPOKE, THE WHOLE ASSEMBLY OF ISRAEL HEARING. Hence it appears that by a miracle the voice of the aged Moses was so strengthened and increased that it was heard by each one, namely by three million men, as I said at chapter 1, verse 1: thus Abulensis. THE WORDS OF THIS CANTICLE, which namely Moses recently composed and sang at chapter XXXII. Note here the zeal and final admonitions of Moses now about to die: for like fire he burns to inculcate the law of God in the people. Thus Joshua, chapter xxiv, about to die bound the people to the law of God by covenant, and set up a great stone which should be a witness against them, lest they should break faith given to God. Thus David, about to die, said to Solomon his son and heir of the kingdom: "I go the way of all flesh; be thou strong therefore, and shew thyself a man, and keep the charge of the Lord thy God, to walk in his ways," III Kings II. Thus Constantius Caesar, father of Constantine the Great, dying and placing the crown upon his son, said to him and to the Senate: "Now death shall be sweeter to me than life itself, now comes the longed-for end. For I leave behind an Emperor as son, who shall wipe away the tears of Christians and avenge the cruelty of tyrants." Then turning to the multitude, he commanded all to be of good courage, who had not departed from true piety toward Christ, and added that Christ would henceforth be with Constantine in arms. Thus from Eusebius, Baronius, vol. II, in the year of Christ 306. Thus the Emperor Theodosius, dying, called his sons Arcadius and Honorius, and earnestly exhorted them with burning affection, beseeching them by their own salvation and that of the commonwealth, that following his footsteps they should make it their sole care that the doctrine of faith and piety be preserved pure and uncorrupted, and be handed down to posterity: in this endeavor they should spare no labors or expenses, for in this one thing the sum of happiness is placed: and by this one way, and no other, peace is rightly established, wars are concluded, trophies are erected, and victories are prepared. Thus Theodoret, book V, chapter xxv, and others. St. Louis the king, dying, gave these precepts to his son: "My son, before all things take care to love God: for no one can be saved unless he love God: Beware lest thou ever admit mortal sin, but rather choose to bear all kinds of torments than to commit any such fault. Confess thy sins frequently, and choose for thyself wise Confessors, who may be able to teach thee what thou oughtest to do and what to avoid: conduct thyself before them so that they may dare to reprove thee sincerely and point out thy faults to thee. Thou owest love, obedience and reverence to thy parents. Be always devoted and faithful to the Roman Church, and show thyself obedient to its Pontiff as to a spiritual father." Thus his Life has it and Robert Gaguinus, book VII of the History of France. Henricus, king of the Visigoths, having summoned the nobles to him, foretold that he would depart from mortal life on the ninth day, and obtained from them that they should place Alaric his son on the throne of the kingdom. Dying, he commanded him first of all to love God, to honor the ministers of God, to attempt nothing difficult without the counsel of faithful nobles, to love his subjects, to cherish justice, to maintain clemency, to show himself kind and generous to all. John Magnus testifies, book XV of the History, final chapter. Philip II, king of Spain, dying in the year 1600, commended these things to his son Philip III: "May God grant thee great grace, if he shall have exalted thee to that pinnacle of glory in which I have seen myself, and shall have prospered thee as he has prospered me. I beseech thee from my heart, that when thou shalt have attained this, thou remember this bed in which thou seest me, and where all the glory of this world comes to an end. I commend to thee obedience to the Apostolic See, protection of the Catholic faith, zeal for Christian religion, peace of the commonwealth and justice toward thy subjects. If God shall have confirmed these counsels of mine, this kingdom shall not have lost its king, but shall only have exchanged him with profit."
Machine translation from the Latin, not reviewed.
31:3
… succession of Moses and initiated with a kind of rite of investiture (Num. 27:18-23) into his office; the dying Moses repeated the designation, insisting on the particular task assigned to him of guiding Israel to the conquest and partition of Canaan (Deut. 31:3, 7, 23; cf. Josh. 1:6-9, where the insistence on the exhortation to be "strong, courageous" refers to the military functions characteristic of J.'s activity).
The principal details of the rite allude to a gift of life in opposition to death: the female sex of the animal, giver of life; its freedom from the yoke, symbol of freshness of strength (cf. Deut. 31:3; 1 Sam. 6:7); the red of the animal and of the cords, an allusion to blood, in which life circulates. …
31:4
… most recent (the "Amorites", v.) ca. the year 2000. Sometimes, however, the Old Testament distinguishes between Canaanites and Amorites, calling Amorites not only the pre-Israelite inhabitants of Transjordan (cf. Num. 21, 13, 31; Deut. 3, 8; 4, 47 ff.; 31, 4; Ios. 2, 10; 9, 10; 12, 2; 13, 10; Iudc. 10, 8), but also a part of the inhabitants of Palestine proper, that is, those dwelling in the mountain (Deut. 1, 7.19.20.44: people dwelling …
… Since the king had refused passage to the Hebrews, they decided to open the way by arms: in a few actions S. was overwhelmed, was killed, and his territories remained an Israelite conquest (Num. 21:21 ff.; 32:33; Deut. 1:4; 2:24 ff.; 3:2-6; 4:46; 29:7; 31:4; cf. Josh. 2:10 etc.).
31:9
If the extent of the writing guaranteed as Mosaic is broadened, by critical rigor one must proceed more cautiously: this is the case of Deut. 31:9 in favor of "this law": the whole of Deuteronomy? …
… Since Deuteronomy and the prophets call the priests "Levitical priests," the "critics" wrongly assert that, according to the legislation of Deuteronomy (written, according to them, in 622 B.C.), any descendant of Levi was for that very reason a priest, adducing passages (Deut. 10:8; 18:6-7; 31:9) in which the functions of the priests and of the Levites appear identical; they assert that, since the priests are called "sons of Aaron" in the "priestly code" (P. Leviticus) and …
31:16
the body falls asleep, not the soul (cf. Deut. 31:16; Jn. 11:11-12; I Cor. 7:39; 11:30; 15:18; I Thess. 4:12 ff.; II Pt. 3:4).
… No wonder, then, that Sacred Scripture uses very strong terms against this sin: it calls it "fornication," "prostitution" (cf. Ex. 34:15; Lev. 17:7; Deut. 31:16, etc.).
… affirms such survival in the well-known, most ancient phrases for indicating death: "to descend into šē'ōl"; "to be gathered to one's people"; "to return to one's fathers" (Gen. 15, 15; 25, 8, 17; 35, 29; 49, 29, 32; Num. 20, 24, 26; 27, 13; 31, 2; Deut. 31, 16; 32, 50; etc.); they evidently presuppose that something remains and survives the dissolution of the body (v. SOUL).
31:19
… the influence of God who fills him with the Holy Spirit (Hos. 9, 7; Mic. 3, 8; Ezek. 2, 2; 3, 12; 8, 13; 11, 5, 24; Zech. 7, 12; II Sam. 23, 2; Eccl. 39, 8; 48, 27; II Esdr. 14, 21, 25, 40-44); who orders him to speak or to write (Ex. 17, 14; 34, 27; Deut. 31, 19; Is. 8, 1; 30, 8; Hab. 2, 2; Dan. 8, 26; 12, 4; Ezek. 24, 2; in a special way Jer. 36) and to set forth only what God wills (Deut. 18, 15-22; Jer. 23, 16; 20, 7-9, 15, 19; 14, 14; …
31:20
… In Sacred Scripture, in fact, it is often said that God swears (e.g., Gen. 26:3; Ex. 6:8; 13:5; 33:1; Num. 32:11; Deut. 31:20; etc.); now certainly one cannot admit that God swears in the first sense indicated. …
31:22
… This is the case of Ex. 17:14; 24:4; 34:27; Num. 33:2; Deut. 31:9, 24, for the respective passages (Ex. 17:8-13; 20-23; etc.), in particular the "Canticle" (Deut. 31:22).
31:23
… extraordinary circumstances, entrusts, with the assurance of his help and the implicit prophecy of a happy outcome (cf. Is. 8:10 and Rom. 8:31), to a person chosen by him, as to the Patriarchs and the leaders of Israel (cf. Gen. 15:1; 26:24; Ex. 3:12; Deut. 31:23; Judg. 6:12, 16; 1 Sam. 10:7), denotes the singular mission of the Virgin in the order of divine redemption: she is the one chosen by God to bring to fulfillment the great promise: …
31:26
Ark (of the Covenant), Ark of the Testimony
… Inside was placed "the testimony," that is, the two tablets of the Law (I Kings 8:9; cf. Ex. 25:16); according to Hebr. 9:4, also a golden jar with some manna and Aaron's rod (but cf. Ex. 16:33-34); beside it was placed the book of the Law of Moses (Deut. 31:26).
Moses (Mōšeh, Μω[θ]σῆς, Vulg. MoySES, Ancient Latin Moses)
… He made a general revision of all the legislation promulgated from Sinai to Kadesh, updating and completing it, in a series of discourses that were written down (Deut. 17, 18; 25, 58, etc.) and deposited near the Ark (ibid. 31, 26) and form the content of Deuteronomy (v.); he renewed the covenant (ibid. 28, 69), ordered the periodic reading of the Law; finally he named as his successor Joshua, son of Nun. More …
As code, testimony (Deut. 31:26), synthesis and foundation of Yahweh's covenant with Israel, the t. of Moses, that is, the first 5 books of the Bible, unfolds around a general unifying theme, which can be expressed …
31:30
Moses (Mōšeh, Μω[θ]σῆς, Vulg. MoySES, Ancient Latin Moses)
bly of Israel (ibid. 31, 30-32, 43), and a series of blessings for the individual tribes (ibid. 33). Then he went up Mount Nebo, from which he contemplated beyond the valley of the Jordan the plateau of Canaan, …
Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · Vulgata Clementina · original Douay-Rheims (Douay 1609-10), transcription by EEBO-TCP (CC0) · La Sacra Bibbia, tradotta dalla Volgata da Antonio Martini (1769-1781) (LaParola (laparola.net), Martini OSIS text, Public domain (LaParola's electronic edition marks it 'Dominio pubblico')). Public domain.