Deuteronomy 31:9

KJV

¶ And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Moses {H4872} wrote {H3789} this law {H8451}, and delivered {H5414} it unto the priests {H3548} the sons {H1121} of Levi {H3878}, which bare {H5375} the ark {H727} of the covenant {H1285} of the LORD {H3068}, and unto all the elders {H2205} of Israel {H3478}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Then Moshe wrote down this Torah and gave it to the cohanim, the descendants of Levi who carried the ark with the covenant of ADONAI, and to all the leaders of Isra'el.

Berean Standard Bible

So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.

American Standard Version

And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, that bare the ark of the covenant of Jehovah, and unto all the elders of Israel.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 31:9 records a pivotal moment in Israel's history, where Moses, nearing the end of his life, meticulously inscribed the divine Law and formally entrusted it to the Levite priests, who bore the sacred Ark of the Covenant, and to all the elders of Israel. This act profoundly underscores the Law's divine origin, its absolute authority, and the critical importance of its faithful preservation and widespread dissemination through both spiritual and civil leadership, ensuring its enduring influence for the entire covenant community across generations.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically positioned within Moses' concluding addresses and final acts before his death and Israel's entry into the Promised Land. The preceding chapters, particularly [Deuteronomy 29](/deuteronomy/29 "Deuteronomy 29 - Covenant Renewal and Warnings") and [Deuteronomy 30](/deuteronomy/30 "Deuteronomy 30 - Blessings and Curses"), serve as a powerful covenant renewal ceremony, reiterating the terms of the Mosaic Covenant, emphasizing the blessings contingent upon obedience, and the severe curses for disobedience. [Deuteronomy 31](/deuteronomy/31 "Deuteronomy 31 - Moses' Final Instructions and Commissioning of Joshua") itself details Moses' final preparations, including the commissioning of Joshua as his successor (verses 7-8), the command for the public reading of the Law every seven years during the Feast of Booths (verses 10-13), and the prophetic warning of Israel's future apostasy (verses 16-22). Moses' solemn act of writing and delivering the Law in verse 9 is thus a foundational step in ensuring its permanent preservation, public accessibility, and authoritative continuity for all future generations of Israel, solidifying their covenantal relationship with God before his departure. It is the tangible transfer of divine authority.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the plains of Moab, on the eastern side of the Jordan River, marking a significant transition point for the Israelites from a nomadic wilderness generation to a settled nation poised to enter Canaan. In the ancient Near East, written legal codes were common, often inscribed on stelae or clay tablets, but Israel's Law was unique in its explicit divine origin and comprehensive scope, encompassing religious, civil, and moral statutes given directly by Yahweh. The "priests the sons of Levi" were the divinely appointed spiritual custodians, responsible for officiating sacrifices, maintaining the Tabernacle, and, crucially, teaching the Law to the people. Their role in "bear[ing] the ark of the covenant of the LORD" signifies their intimate connection to God's manifest presence and the very heart of the covenant, as detailed in [Exodus 25:10-22](/exodus/25-10-22 "Exodus 25:10-22 - Instructions for the Ark of the Covenant"). The "elders of Israel" were the tribal and community leaders, responsible for local governance, justice, and the practical application of the Law in daily life. This dual entrustment reflects a comprehensive strategy to embed the Law deeply within both the religious and civil fabric of the nascent nation, ensuring its authority permeated all societal levels.
* **Key Themes:** The primary theme is the **Authority and Preservation of God's Law**. Moses' act of writing "this law" (Hebrew: *Torah*) signifies its divine origin and absolute authority, distinct from human legislation. Its written form ensures accurate transmission and prevents corruption across generations, emphasizing the unchanging nature of God's Word, as seen in the prohibition against adding or subtracting from it in [Deuteronomy 4:2](/deuteronomy/4-2 "Deuteronomy 4:2 - Do Not Add or Subtract from the Law"). Another key theme is the **Custodianship of Sacred Trust**. The Law is specifically entrusted to the Levite priests, who were the spiritual interpreters and guardians, and to the elders, who were the civil administrators. This dual responsibility highlights that God's Law was not merely a set of religious rituals but a comprehensive guide for all aspects of life, requiring both spiritual discernment and practical application. Finally, the verse speaks to **Divine Mandate and Succession**. While Joshua is commissioned for military and political leadership, the spiritual and judicial stewardship of God's revealed will is passed to the priests and elders. This established a robust system for the continued study, teaching, and enforcement of the [covenant made at Sinai](/exodus/19-5 "Exodus 19:5 - The Covenant at Sinai"), ensuring the nation's fidelity to God beyond Moses' lifetime and into their new life in the land.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Law (Hebrew, _tôwrâh'_):** While often translated as "law" (H8451), *tôwrâh* (תּוֹרָה) is far more expansive, encompassing divine instruction, teaching, guidance, and direction. It refers to God's comprehensive revelation of His will, designed to guide His people into a blessed and righteous life, encompassing statutes, ordinances, and moral principles. It is not merely a legal code but a holistic way of life, providing the framework for Israel's covenant relationship with Yahweh.
* **Priests (Hebrew, _kôhên'_):** The *kôhên* (כֹּהֵן), referring to the singular root of the plural "priests" (H3548), were the designated descendants of Aaron, set apart for sacred service. Their duties included mediating between God and Israel through sacrifices, maintaining the tabernacle/temple, and, crucially, teaching the Law to the people (cf. [Leviticus 10:11](/leviticus/10-11 "Leviticus 10:11 - Priests to Teach the Law")). Their role as custodians of the written Law was central to Israel's spiritual health and fidelity to the covenant.
* **Ark of the Covenant of the LORD (Hebrew, _ʼârôwn bᵉrîyth Yᵉhôvâh'_):** This phrase refers to the *ʼârôwn* (אֲרוֹן, H727), the most sacred object in Israel, which contained the tablets of the *bᵉrîyth* (בְּרִית, H1285), or covenant, and symbolized the very presence and throne of *Yᵉhôvâh* (יְהוָה, H3068), the self-Existent God. The Ark of the Covenant was the tangible symbol of God's covenant faithfulness and His dwelling among His people. The priests' responsibility to bear it emphasized their unique proximity to God's holiness and their role as guardians of the covenant itself, which was intrinsically linked to the Law contained within it (cf. [Deuteronomy 10:5](/deuteronomy/10-5 "Deuteronomy 10:5 - Tablets in the Ark")).

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Moses wrote this law":** This foundational clause highlights Moses' direct authorship, acting under divine inspiration and mandate. It signifies the transition from an oral tradition to a permanent, tangible, and authoritative written document. This act ensures the Law's integrity, preventing distortion, and guarantees its accessibility for all future generations, making it the foundational text for Israel's identity and their covenant relationship with God.
* **"and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi":** This specifies the primary recipients and spiritual custodians of the Law. The Levite priests, by divine appointment and lineage, were the sacred guardians and authoritative interpreters of God's word. Their role was not merely ceremonial but profoundly instructional, tasked with teaching the Law to the people, ensuring its proper observance in religious life, and maintaining the purity of worship.
* **"which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD":** This specific descriptor for the priests underscores their unique and profoundly sacred responsibility. Bearing the Ark symbolized their intimate connection to God's manifest presence and the very heart of the covenant. It signifies that the Law they received was intrinsically linked to God's covenant faithfulness and His dwelling among His people, emphasizing its divine origin and the holiness required in its handling.
* **"and unto all the elders of Israel":** This indicates the second crucial group of recipients, representing the civil and judicial leadership of the nation. Their inclusion demonstrates that the Law was not solely for religious observance but was intended to govern all aspects of Israelite society—justice, governance, social order, and daily life. This dual entrustment ensured the Law's pervasive influence throughout the community, integrating it into both sacred and secular spheres.

#### Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs **Metonymy**, where "this law" stands for the entire body of divine instruction, commandments, and covenant stipulations given through Moses, encompassing the Pentateuch itself. The act of writing and delivering is a powerful **Symbolism** of the Law's enduring authority, its foundational role in Israel's identity, and God's meticulous care for its preservation. The specific mention of the "priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD" uses **Synecdoche**, where a part (bearing the Ark) represents the whole sacred office, divine appointment, and comprehensive responsibility of the priesthood in relation to the covenant. The verse also exhibits **Emphasis** through its explicit enumeration of the two distinct groups of custodians, highlighting the critical importance of the Law for both the spiritual and civil spheres of Israelite life, ensuring its comprehensive application.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 31:9 is profoundly significant for understanding the nature of divine revelation and its transmission. It establishes the written Word of God as the ultimate, unchanging authority for the covenant community, demonstrating God's meticulous care for the preservation of His truth across generations. The entrustment to both spiritual (priests) and civil (elders) leaders underscores that God's Law is holistic, intended to govern every facet of life—from worship and ethics to justice and governance. This act of formal delivery ensures that the Law would not be lost, corrupted, or forgotten, but would serve as the unchanging standard for Israel's relationship with God and with one another, forming the bedrock of their national identity and purpose. It prefigures the ongoing need for faithful stewardship of God's Word across all generations and within all spheres of human activity.

* [Joshua 1:8](/joshua/1-8 "Joshua 1:8 - Meditate on the Law")
* [Psalm 19:7-11](/psalm/19-7-11 "Psalm 19:7-11 - The Perfection and Benefit of God's Law")
* [Nehemiah 8:1-8](/nehemiah/8-1-8 "Nehemiah 8:1-8 - Ezra Reads and Explains the Law to the People")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 31:9 serves as a timeless reminder of the profound value and enduring authority of God's written Word. Just as Moses painstakingly ensured the Law's preservation and dissemination, believers today are called to cherish, diligently study, and faithfully apply the Scriptures as the authoritative guide for life. This verse challenges us to consider our own role as custodians of divine truth. Are we actively engaging with God's Word, allowing it to shape our thoughts, decisions, and actions, and to transform our character? Furthermore, it highlights the immense responsibility of spiritual leaders within the church to faithfully teach and shepherd God's flock according to His truth, and of community leaders in society to uphold principles of justice and righteousness rooted in divine wisdom. The spiritual health and vitality of any community are directly tied to its commitment to the authoritative Word of God. We are all called to live out the principles of God's Word and to ensure its faithful transmission to future generations, much like the priests and elders of ancient Israel were tasked with, recognizing that the integrity of the faith depends on it.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the emphasis on the written Law in this verse inform your understanding of the Bible's authority and sufficiency in your life today?**
* **What are the contemporary equivalents of the "priests" (spiritual leaders) and "elders" (civil/community leaders) in our societies, and what responsibility do they bear for upholding and applying God's truth?**
* **In what practical ways can you personally contribute to the preservation, diligent study, and faithful dissemination of God's Word for future generations within your sphere of influence?**
* **How does the dual entrustment of the Law to both spiritual and civil leaders speak to the comprehensive nature of God's design for human society, encompassing all aspects of life?**

### FAQ
**What was "this law" that Moses wrote and delivered?**

Answer: "This law" refers to the *Torah*, which encompasses the divine instruction, commandments, statutes, and ordinances that God revealed to Israel through Moses. While it certainly includes legal codes, it is much broader, serving as God's comprehensive teaching and guidance for how His people were to live in covenant relationship with Him. It is primarily understood to refer to the book of Deuteronomy itself, which contains Moses' final addresses and reiteration of the covenant, or more broadly, the entire Pentateuch (the first five books of the Bible), which contains the foundational revelation of God's will for Israel. This written form was crucial for preserving its integrity and ensuring its accurate transmission across generations, as seen in the stern warning against adding or subtracting from it in [Deuteronomy 4:2](/deuteronomy/4-2 "Deuteronomy 4:2 - Do Not Add or Subtract from the Law").

**Why was the Law delivered to both priests and elders, and what were their respective roles?**

Answer: The Law was delivered to both groups to ensure its comprehensive integration into all aspects of Israelite life—religious, civil, and social. The "priests the sons of Levi" were the spiritual custodians. Their divinely appointed role was to teach the Law, offer sacrifices, and mediate between God and the people, ensuring proper worship and adherence to divine commands within the sanctuary and in religious life (e.g., [Leviticus 10:11](/leviticus/10-11 "Leviticus 10:11 - Priests to Teach the Law")). The "elders of Israel" were the civil leaders, representing the tribes and responsible for governance, justice, and the practical application of the Law in daily community life, resolving disputes, and maintaining social order (e.g., [Deuteronomy 19:12](/deuteronomy/19-12 "Deuteronomy 19:12 - Elders in Judicial Matters")). This dual entrustment ensured that God's Law would permeate both the sacred and secular spheres, providing a holistic framework for the nation's existence and fidelity to the covenant.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 31:9, with its emphasis on the written Law and its faithful transmission, finds its ultimate fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. The Law, painstakingly recorded by Moses and entrusted to the priests and elders, served to reveal God's perfect standard of righteousness and humanity's inherent inability to fully keep it, thus pointing to the desperate need for a greater deliverer and a new covenant (cf. [Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - Law Reveals Sin")). Jesus declared that He did not come to abolish the Law but to fulfill it (cf. [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law")), perfectly embodying its righteous demands in His life and offering Himself as the spotless Lamb of God to atone for the sins of those who failed to keep it (cf. [John 1:29](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God")). In the new covenant, the Law is no longer merely an external code written on stone tablets but is inscribed on the hearts of believers by the Holy Spirit (cf. [Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - The New Covenant") and [Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - Law Written on Hearts")), enabling them to walk in God's ways. Christ Himself is the living Word (cf. [John 1:1](/john/1-1 "John 1:1 - The Word Became Flesh")), the ultimate and complete revelation of God, and through His finished work, the true knowledge of God and His will is made accessible to all who believe, transcending the limitations of a written code and establishing a direct, Spirit-empowered relationship with the Father.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 4:15

And when Aaron and his sons have made an end of covering the sanctuary, and all the vessels of the sanctuary, as the camp is to set forward; after that, the sons of Kohath shall come to bear [it]: but they shall not touch [any] holy thing, lest they die. These [things are] the burden of the sons of Kohath in the tabernacle of the congregation.

Joshua 3:3

And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and go after it.

Deuteronomy 31:22

¶ Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel.

Deuteronomy 31:26

Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee.

1 Kings 8:3

And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests took up the ark.

John 1:17

For the law was given by Moses, [but] grace and truth came by Jesus Christ.

John 5:46

For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me.