Deuteronomy 1:3

And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first [day] of the month, [that] Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them;

And it came to pass in the fortieth {H705} year {H8141}, in the eleventh {H6249}{H6240} month {H2320}, on the first {H259} day of the month {H2320}, that Moses {H4872} spake {H1696} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}, according unto all that the LORD {H3068} had given him in commandment {H6680} unto them;

On the first day of the eleventh month of the fortieth year, Moshe spoke to the people of Isra'el, reviewing everything ADONAI had ordered him to tell them.

In the fortieth year, on the first day of the eleventh month, Moses proclaimed to the Israelites all that the LORD had commanded him concerning them.

And it came to pass in the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, that Moses spake unto the children of Israel, according unto all that Jehovah had given him in commandment unto them;

Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:3 serves as the precise chronological and historical introduction to the book of Deuteronomy, setting the stage for Moses' final and pivotal address to the children of Israel.

Context

This verse meticulously dates Moses' speech: the first day of the eleventh month in the fortieth year after the Exodus from Egypt. This means the Israelites were on the cusp of entering the Promised Land of Canaan, having completed nearly the entire forty years of wandering in the wilderness. The location was the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River. Moses was speaking to a new generation, many of whom had not personally experienced the Exodus or the initial giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. His words were a comprehensive review and exhortation, preparing them for the challenges and responsibilities of possessing the land.

Key Themes

  • Divine Timing: The precise dating underscores God's meticulous plan and faithfulness. The forty years of judgment and purification were complete, and now, at the appointed time, the promise of the land was about to be fulfilled.
  • Moses' Authority and Fidelity: Moses' speech is presented as a direct transmission of "all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them." This highlights Moses' unwavering faithfulness as God's messenger and the divine origin and absolute authority of the Law he delivered.
  • Covenant Renewal: Deuteronomy itself is a renewal of the covenant made at Mount Sinai. Moses reiterates the statutes and judgments, reminding the new generation of their obligations and the blessings and curses associated with obedience or disobedience.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "according unto all that the LORD had given him in commandment unto them" emphasizes the completeness and integrity of Moses' message. It was not a partial or selective recounting, but a full and faithful declaration of God's revealed will. This reinforces the idea that the words of Deuteronomy are divinely inspired and authoritative, providing a comprehensive guide for life in the land.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 1:3 reminds us of several enduring truths:

  • God's Faithfulness: Just as God precisely fulfilled His timeline for Israel's wilderness journey, He is faithful to His promises and purposes in our lives.
  • The Importance of God's Word: Moses' commitment to speaking "all that the LORD had given him" underscores the necessity of hearing, understanding, and obeying the complete counsel of God's Word today.
  • Preparation for New Seasons: As Israel prepared to enter a new land, we too must prepare for new phases in life by reflecting on God's past dealings and recommitting to His commands.
Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 33:38

    And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the first [day] of the fifth month.

  • Deuteronomy 4:1

    ¶ Now therefore hearken, O Israel, unto the statutes and unto the judgments, which I teach you, for to do [them], that ye may live, and go in and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers giveth you.

  • Deuteronomy 4:2

    Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish [ought] from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.

  • Numbers 20:1

    ¶ Then came the children of Israel, [even] the whole congregation, into the desert of Zin in the first month: and the people abode in Kadesh; and Miriam died there, and was buried there.
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