DEUTERONOMY 5-7

Deuteronomy 5:9 This verse demonstrates the solidarity of families living together (3-4 generations). The natural consequences of idolatry affect everyone in the family. But this is more than outweighed by the thousands of generations blessed (see 7:9). Deuteronomy 24:16 provides a balance.

Deuteronomy 5:12-16 The Fourth Commandment is grounded in the exodus story (appeals to redemption) while the Exodus version is grounded in the creation story.

Deuteronomy 5:17-19

v. 17 The verb implies the purposeful killing of a fellow Jew, not killing a foreigner in war. It doesn't include manslaughter since that can't be legislated against; it was not premeditated.

v. 18 Coveting may also cover the practical steps taken to acquire what is desired. Paul calls coveting idolatry.

v. 19 Because there is no object for the verb, the rabbis felt it referred to kidnapping.

Deuteronomy 6:4-5

v. 4 The Lord is One. This is not so much a statement of monotheism as a recognition that for a Jew, God was the only one to give allegiance to (Jensen, Dictionary of OT Theology and Exegesis , I, 350).

v. 5 The rabbinical explanation: all your heart = human inclinations for good or evil; all your soul = even at the cost of your life; all your strength = all your property (Watts, Commentary on the NT Use of the OT, 217)

Might = possessions and in every way conceivable (Barth, Philemon)

Heart = seat of will, intellect and intentions

Soul = inner self with emotions and personality

Strength = exceedingly (Beale and Carson, NT/OT, 80-81)

Deuteronomy 6:10-16

Most of Canaanite cities were left untouched even though the people were killed.

vv. 13,16 These were texts quoted by Jesus during the temptation in the wilderness. Jesus is the antitype of Jews in the wilderness. “Where Israel fell, Jesus shows the way to victory.” (Marshall, Luke 166)

v. 16 This is quoted by King Ahaz. (Oswalt, Isaiah I, 206) “It is unbelief which gives rise to his announcement, an unbelief profound enough that it will not even permit evidence that it is wrong.”

By contrast, King Ahaz refused to take a sign from God even though it had been offered. He hides behind v. 16 (Wolf, Isaiah, 90)

Deuteronomy 7:1-4 There was no general prohibition against intermarriage with other nations until the Maccabean period (Cohen, From the Maccabbees to the Mishnah, 50)