The “Book of the Law” is a common phrase that refers to the book of Deuteronomy as an expansion of the Moral Law, or Covenant Law based around the 10 Commandments. “Book of the Law” is referenced in Deut 28:61, 29:21, 30:10, 31:26, Josh 1:8, 8:31, 34, 24:26, 2 Kings 22:8, 11, 2 Chron 17:9, 25:4, 34:14, 15, Neh 8:1-3, 8, 18, 9:3 (and 17:18). The Book of Deuteronomy (up to Ch 30) was placed beside the Ark of the Covenant (Deut 31:26). [Contrast the 10 Commandments which were placed inside the Ark, Ex 40:20.]
The Book of Deuteronomy means, “second law” because of the re-statement of the ten commandments in Deut 5:6-21 (and Deut 27:15-28). It often refers to the Israelite Covenant (Deut 4:13, 23, 31, 5:2, 3, 7:2, 9, 12, 8:18, 9:9, 11, 15, 10:8, 17:2, 29:1, 9, 14, 21, 31:9, 16, 20, 26, 33:9). The centrality and importance of the book of Deuteronomy can be gauged by the requirement for each king of Israel to personally write out a copy of the book and keep it with him (Deut 17:18).
The book consists of the last 4 orations of Moses to the Israelites on the border of the Promised Land.
First Oration: Deut 1:6 – 4:43. Historical background
Second Oration: Deut 4:44 – 26:19. The Law of the Ten Commandments expanded
Third Oration: Deut 27:1 – 28:68. Blessings and Curses of the law
Fourth Oration: Deut 29:1 – 30:20. Renewal of the Covenant
Some authors suggest that the third and fourth orations listed above were part of the same speech. A more complete analysis of Deuteronomy is listed below:
- Preamble Deut 1:1-5
- Historical prologue Deut 1:6 – 4:49
- General stipulations Deut 5 – 11
- Specific stipulations Deut 12 – 26
- Blessings and Curses Deut 27 – 28
- Witnesses Deut 30:15-20
- Deposition of Text Deut 31:9, 24-26
- Public reading Deut 31:10-13
- Lawsuits against vassals Deut 32
The specific stipulations listed above can be broken down more precisely into sections dealing with each of the commandments.
1 & 2: Deut 12:1 – 31 – Worship
3: Deut 13:1 – 14:27 – name of God
4: Deut 14:28 – 16:17 – Sabbath
5: Deut 16:18 – 18:22 – Authority
6: Deut 19:1 – 22:8 – Homicide/murder
7: Deut 22:9 – 23:19 – Adultery
8: Deut 23:20 – 24:7 – Theft
9: Deut 24:8 – 25:4 – False Charges
10: Deut 25:5 – 16 – Coveting
It is instructive that within the text of the Bible, the Ten Commandments are referred to as a law (Ex 34:28, Deut 4:13, 10:4), and also as a covenant (Ex 24:7, 2 Kings 23:2, 21, 2 Chron 34:30). However, the book of Deuteronomy itself is called “The Book of the Law” Deut 28:61, 29:21, 30:10, 31:26, Josh 1:8, 8:31, 34, 24:26, 2 Kings 22:8, 11, 2 Chron 17:9, 25:4, 34:14, 15, Neh 8:1-3, 8, 18, 9:3.
It is obvious that the Book of the Law had become lost during Josiah's time because he was only vaguely aware (if at all) of its existence, much less of what it said and stipulated. This was the final part of the catalyst that motivated Josiah to implement such sweeping reforms throughout Judah.