Deuteronomy Chapter 31 · Verse 9
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.
Original Language Analysis
וַיִּכְתֹּ֣ב
wrote
H3789
וַיִּכְתֹּ֣ב
wrote
Strong's:
H3789
Word #:
1 of 19
to grave, by implication, to write (describe, inscribe, prescribe, subscribe)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
3 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַתּוֹרָ֣ה
this law
H8451
הַתּוֹרָ֣ה
this law
Strong's:
H8451
Word #:
4 of 19
a precept or statute, especially the decalogue or pentateuch
וַֽיִּתְּנָ֗הּ
and delivered
H5414
וַֽיִּתְּנָ֗הּ
and delivered
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
6 of 19
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙
it unto the priests
H3548
הַכֹּֽהֲנִים֙
it unto the priests
Strong's:
H3548
Word #:
8 of 19
literally one officiating, a priest; also (by courtesy) an acting priest (although a layman)
בְּנֵ֣י
the sons
H1121
בְּנֵ֣י
the sons
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 19
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
הַנֹּ֣שְׂאִ֔ים
which bare
H5375
הַנֹּ֣שְׂאִ֔ים
which bare
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
11 of 19
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
12 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
בְּרִ֣ית
of the covenant
H1285
בְּרִ֣ית
of the covenant
Strong's:
H1285
Word #:
14 of 19
a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֑ה
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
Cross References
Numbers 4:15And 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 3:3And 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.
Historical Context
Written circa 1406 BC in Moses's final weeks before his death at age 120. The 'law' (torah) likely included Deuteronomy itself and possibly the entire Pentateuch in substantially final form. Ancient Near Eastern treaties were similarly written and deposited in temples, though uniquely Israel's treaty-partner was Yahweh Himself. The Levitical priesthood would maintain this text through Israel's history, though later corruptions required reforms under Josiah (2 Kings 22-23) when the lost book of the law was rediscovered.
Questions for Reflection
- Why does God require His revelation in written form rather than merely oral tradition?
- How does dual custody (priests and elders) protect against either religious or political corruption of God's word?
- What responsibilities accompany receiving and preserving God's written word for Christian leaders today?
Analysis & Commentary
And Moses wrote this law—the Hebrew vayichtov Moshe et-hatorah hazot (וַיִּכְתֹּב מֹשֶׁה אֶת־הַתּוֹרָה הַזֹּאת) establishes Moses as the author of the Pentateuchal legal corpus. And delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD—the Levitical priesthood received custody of the written law, connecting legal authority with ark guardianship. And unto all the elders of Israel—both religious (priests) and civil (elders) leaders received the law, ensuring comprehensive societal governance under divine instruction.
This verse documents the transition from oral proclamation (Moses's sermons in Deuteronomy) to written scripture preserved for future generations. The law's placement with the ark (verse 26) physically located God's word at the covenant's heart. The dual delivery to priests and elders ensured both worship and civil life would conform to divine standards. This pattern—written revelation, authorized custodians, communal accessibility—established the biblical principle that God's people are governed by His inscripturated word.