Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy 11

Verse 1

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4 .

statutes, and . . . judgments. See note on Deuteronomy 4:1 .

Verse 2

this day. See note on Deuteronomy 4:26 .

His. Some codices, with one early printed edition, Samaritan Pentateuch, The Targum of Jonathan ben Uzziel Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, read "and His".

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton in verses: Deuteronomy 11:2 , Deuteronomy 11:3 .

Verse 3

acts. Compare Psalms 103:7 , as distinguished from His "ways" shown only to Moses.

Verse 4

after you. One important codex, quoting others, reads "after them".

destroyed = caused to perish. Compare Exodus 14:28 ,

Verse 5

wilderness. Compare Exodus 15:0 .Numbers 32:0 .

Verse 6

Dathan and Abiram. Compare Numbers 16:0 .

substance = living things.

Verse 8

commandments. See note on Deuteronomy 6:1 , Deuteronomy 6:25 ; Deuteronomy 7:11 .

go = are going over.

Verse 9

in the land = on the ground.

Verse 10

is not = "it [is] not".

as the land of Egypt. Rain very rare in Egypt. Compare Zechariah 14:18 .

wateredst . . . foot. Referring to the system of irrigation, by which the water was turned into different channels by the foot.

Verse 11

go = are going.

drinketh = drinketh continually.

Verse 12

eyes. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verses 13-21

One of the Phylacteries. See note on Deuteronomy 6:4-9 .

Verse 14

first rain = "early rain". Falling middle of October to January, preparing ground for seeds. First occurrence of these rains.

latter rain. Falling in March and April, bringing on the harvest. Compare Leviticus 26:3 , Leviticus 26:4 .Joel 2:23 .Jeremiah 5:24 .Zechariah 10:1 .James 5:7 .

wine. Hebrew. tirosh, new wine. See App-27 .

Verse 17

shut up. The power of the Creator thus manifested. Compare 1 Kings 8:35 .James 5:17 .

land = ground. Hebrew ' adamah .

Verse 18

as = for.

Verse 20

write. See note on Exodus 17:14 , and App-47 .

Verse 22

command. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "command this day". Compare the idiom of Luke 23:43 .

Verse 24

Every place. Compare Joshua 1:3-5 ; Joshua 23:5 .Exodus 23:31 .

from. Some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, and Syriac, read "and from".

river. Hebrew. nahar , a flood, not nahal , a Wady. Some codices, with Septuagint and Vulgate, read "great river".

coast = border.

Verse 25

man. Hebrew. 'ish . See App-14 .

as = according as.

Verse 26

Behold. Figure of speech Asterismos. App-6 .

Verse 27

A blessing = the blessing.

Verse 28

a curse = the curse.

Verse 29

Gerizim. North of Shechem. Compare Joshua 8:33 , Joshua 8:34 , and see Deuteronomy 27:12 .

Ebal. South of Shechem. Both mounts here named for first time. Not mentioned after Judges.

Verse 30

Are they not. ? Figure of speech Erotesis. App-6 .

other side. These particulars connect this place with the rehearsing of the law to Abraham. Compare Genesis 12:6 .

champaign = plain. Heb 'arabah. Compare Deuteronomy 1:1 .

Gilgal = enclosure. Not the Gilgal near Jericho.

beside = near. Hence thirty miles from the Gilgal of Joshua 5:9 .

Moreh. Compare Genesis 12:6 , Genesis 12:7 ; Genesis 35:4 .