Deuteronomy 4:44

KJV

And this [is] the law which Moses set before the children of Israel:

KJV (with Strong's)

And this is the law {H8451} which Moses {H4872} set {H7760} before {H6440} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}:

Complete Jewish Bible

This is the Torah which Moshe placed before the people of Isra'el -

Berean Standard Bible

This is the law that Moses set before the Israelites.

American Standard Version

And this is the law which Moses set before the children of Israel:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 4:44 serves as a pivotal transitional statement, formally introducing the comprehensive legal and covenantal instructions that constitute the core of the book of Deuteronomy. It succinctly identifies the divine origin of the law and the human mediator, Moses, through whom these sacred statutes were presented to the new generation of Israelites poised to enter the Promised Land, thereby establishing the foundational principles for their covenant relationship with Yahweh.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse acts as a crucial hinge between the historical retrospect of Deuteronomy 1-4 and the detailed exposition of the Mosaic Law beginning in Deuteronomy 5. Chapters 1-4 recount Israel's wilderness journey, God's faithfulness despite their rebellion, and Moses' impassioned plea for obedience, culminating in his exclusion from the Promised Land. Having reminded them of God's mighty acts and their covenant obligations, Moses now transitions from historical narrative and exhortation to the systematic restatement of the commandments, statutes, and ordinances that will govern their life in Canaan. Deuteronomy 4:44 thus signals a shift from "remembering the past" to "living out the future" under God's covenant.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, just before Israel's entry into Canaan. Forty years have passed since the Exodus, and the generation that received the law at Mount Sinai (Horeb) has largely died off due to their disobedience. Moses is addressing a new generation, born in the wilderness, who did not directly experience the initial covenant ratification at Sinai. This context is vital: Moses is not giving new laws, but re-presenting, reiterating, and expounding the existing Mosaic Law (Torah) to a people on the cusp of a new life in a new land. The act of "setting before" was a common legal and pedagogical practice in the ancient Near East, signifying the formal presentation of a binding document or instruction.
* **Key Themes:** Deuteronomy 4:44 powerfully underscores several central themes woven throughout the book. It highlights the **divine authority of the law**, emphasizing that "this law" is not a human invention but God's revealed will for His people, a theme echoed in [Deuteronomy 6:1-3](/deuteronomy/6-1 "Deuteronomy 6:1-3 - Commands for Life in the Land"). The verse also magnifies **Moses' unique role as mediator**, portraying him as the chosen vessel through whom God communicates His covenant stipulations, a role clearly seen in [Deuteronomy 5:5](/deuteronomy/5-5 "Deuteronomy 5:5 - Moses as Mediator at Horeb"). Furthermore, it establishes the **foundation for covenant living**, indicating that Israel's future prosperity and their very identity as God's people in the land are inextricably linked to their faithful adherence to these divine instructions, a principle reiterated throughout the entire book, particularly in passages concerning blessings and curses, such as [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Law (Hebrew, _torah'_):** More than a mere legal code, _torah_ signifies divine instruction, teaching, guidance, and revelation. It encompasses the entire body of God's revealed will, intended to shape every aspect of Israel's life—spiritual, moral, social, and ceremonial—guiding them into a right relationship with Yahweh and with one another. It is a comprehensive way of life.
* **Set before (Hebrew, _sim/sum'_):** This verb implies more than simply placing something in front of someone. It conveys the idea of formally presenting, establishing, laying down as a standard, or instructing thoroughly. Moses' action here is authoritative and pedagogical; he is not just reciting, but actively instituting and explaining the divine directives for the new generation.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And this [is] the law":** This phrase serves as an emphatic introduction, pointing forward to the extensive body of divine instruction that will follow from Deuteronomy 5 onwards. The demonstrative "this" underscores the immediate relevance and comprehensive nature of the _torah_ being presented, encompassing both general principles and specific statutes.
* **"which Moses set before":** This clause highlights Moses' indispensable role as the divinely appointed mediator. He is not the author of the law, but the one entrusted by God to formally present, explain, and establish it for the people. This act of "setting before" implies both a public declaration and an authoritative laying down of the covenant stipulations.
* **"the children of Israel":** This specifies the recipients of the law. It refers to the entire Israelite community, particularly the new generation poised to enter Canaan. The law was given to them collectively as God's covenant people, binding every individual and family within the nation, and serving as the blueprint for their national and religious identity in the Promised Land.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 4:44 functions primarily as a **Transitional Statement**, marking a clear shift from Moses' historical retrospect and exhortation (Deuteronomy 1-4) to the detailed exposition of the Law (Deuteronomy 5 onwards). This transition is crucial for the book's structure and purpose. The phrase "this [is] the law" acts as a **Hinge Phrase**, connecting the preceding narrative with the subsequent legal material. It also employs **Assertion** to firmly state the origin and nature of the upcoming content, lending it immediate authority. The verse also implicitly uses **Metonymy**, where "the law" stands for the entire covenant relationship and way of life prescribed by God for Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 4:44 firmly establishes the divine authority and enduring relevance of God's revealed will. It underscores that the law is not a human construct but a direct communication from God, mediated through His chosen servant, Moses. This divine origin makes the law inherently binding and foundational for Israel's identity and their covenant relationship with Yahweh. It is a testament to God's desire to guide His people, providing the framework for a life of holiness, justice, and faithfulness, ensuring their well-being and prosperity in the land. The act of "setting before" emphasizes the accessibility and clarity of God's instruction, making Israel accountable for their obedience.

* [Exodus 24:12](/exodus/24-12 "Exodus 24:12 - God gives Moses the tablets of stone")
* [Deuteronomy 5:1](/deuteronomy/5-1 "Deuteronomy 5:1 - Moses calls Israel to hear the statutes")
* [Joshua 1:7-8](/joshua/1-7 "Joshua 1:7-8 - Joshua's charge to obey the Law")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 4:44 serves as a profound reminder that God's Word is not merely an ancient text but a living, authoritative instruction "set before" us for our guidance and flourishing. Just as Moses presented the Torah to a new generation on the cusp of their inheritance, so too does God's Scripture stand before us today, offering divine wisdom for navigating our lives in a complex world. This verse calls us to approach the Bible not as a collection of suggestions, but as God's definitive will, intended to shape our character, inform our decisions, and direct our path. Our spiritual prosperity and effectiveness in God's kingdom are intrinsically linked to our willingness to hear, understand, and diligently apply His timeless truths, recognizing that they are given out of His perfect love and for our ultimate good.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does understanding the divine origin of God's "law" (instruction) impact your approach to reading and obeying Scripture?**
* **In what ways do you see God's Word "set before" you today, and what is your personal response to its authority?**
* **Considering Moses' role as mediator, how does this verse prepare us to appreciate the ultimate mediator, Jesus Christ?**

### FAQ

**What is the significance of Moses "setting" the law "before" the children of Israel?**

Answer: The phrase "set before" (Hebrew: _sim/sum_) signifies a formal, authoritative, and pedagogical act. It means Moses was not simply reciting or suggesting, but actively presenting, establishing, and explaining the divine instructions as a binding standard for the entire community. This act underscores the law's public nature and its immediate relevance to the new generation. It implies that the law was made accessible, clear, and undeniable, making the Israelites fully accountable for their obedience. This formal presentation was crucial for establishing the covenant relationship and preparing them for life in the Promised Land, as detailed in [Deuteronomy 5:1-3](/deuteronomy/5-1 "Deuteronomy 5:1-3 - The Covenant at Horeb").

**Does "the law" in Deuteronomy 4:44 refer only to the Ten Commandments?**

Answer: While the Ten Commandments are a central and foundational part of "the law" (Torah) reiterated in [Deuteronomy 5](/deuteronomy/5 "Deuteronomy 5 - The Ten Commandments"), the term in Deuteronomy 4:44 refers more broadly to the entire corpus of divine instruction and covenant stipulations that Moses is about to expound. This includes not only the Decalogue but also the statutes, judgments, and ordinances that govern every aspect of Israelite life—civil, ceremonial, and moral—as detailed throughout the rest of the book of Deuteronomy (e.g., [Deuteronomy 12-26](/deuteronomy/12 "Deuteronomy 12 - Laws for Worship")). It encompasses God's complete revealed will for His people, intended to guide their national and personal conduct in the Promised Land.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 4:44, with its emphasis on "the law which Moses set before the children of Israel," powerfully foreshadows the ultimate and perfect revelation of God's will in Jesus Christ. While Moses was the mediator of the Old Covenant, presenting a law that revealed sin and pointed to the need for redemption ([Romans 3:20](/romans/3-20 "Romans 3:20 - Law brings knowledge of sin")), Jesus is the mediator of a New and better Covenant ([Hebrews 8:6](/hebrews/8-6 "Hebrews 8:6 - Jesus, Mediator of a Better Covenant")). The Law given through Moses was a shadow of the good things to come ([Hebrews 10:1](/hebrews/10-1 "Hebrews 10:1 - The Law as a Shadow")), and Christ is the fulfillment of that Law ([Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus fulfills the Law")). He not only perfectly obeyed every jot and tittle of the Law but also "set before" humanity the very essence of God's heart and character through His life, teachings, death, and resurrection. Where the Mosaic Law was external, written on stone tablets, Christ inaugurates a new covenant where God's law is written on the hearts of believers by the Spirit ([Jeremiah 31:33](/jeremiah/31-33 "Jeremiah 31:33 - New Covenant: Law on the Heart"); [2 Corinthians 3:3](/2_corinthians/3-3 "2 Corinthians 3:3 - Written not with ink but with the Spirit")). Thus, Deuteronomy 4:44 ultimately points us to Christ, who is the Living Word, the embodiment of God's perfect instruction, and the one through whom we receive grace and truth in abundance ([John 1:17](/john/1-17 "John 1:17 - Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ")).

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

Deuteronomy 27:26

Cursed [be] he that confirmeth not [all] the words of this law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.

Deuteronomy 27:3

And thou shalt write upon them all the words of this law, when thou art passed over, that thou mayest go in unto the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee, a land that floweth with milk and honey; as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee.

Deuteronomy 1:5

On this side Jordan, in the land of Moab, began Moses to declare this law, saying,

Leviticus 27:34

These [are] the commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in mount Sinai.

Malachi 4:4

¶ Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, [with] the statutes and judgments.

Deuteronomy 27:8

And thou shalt write upon the stones all the words of this law very plainly.

Deuteronomy 33:4

Moses commanded us a law, [even] the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.