Deuteronomy 4:44-49

Why does the account restate the setting before the next address?

Berean Standard Bible

44 This is the law that Moses set before the Israelites. 45 These are the testimonies, statutes, and ordinances that Moses proclaimed to them after they had come out of Egypt, 46 while they were in the valley across the Jordan facing Beth-peor in the land of Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon and was defeated by Moses and the Israelites after they had come out of Egypt. 47 They took possession of the land belonging to Sihon and to Og king of Bashan—the two Amorite kings across the Jordan to the east— 48 extending from Aroer on the rim of the Arnon Valley as far as Mount Siyon (that is, Hermon), 49 including all the Arabah on the east side of the Jordan and as far as the Sea of the Arabah, below the slopes of Pisgah.

What is the context?

The narrator introduces the law Moses set before Israel and places the address in the valley facing Beth-peor east of the Jordan. The notice recalls the defeat of Sihon and Og and the territory already taken.

This prepares for the teaching beginning in chapter 5. The people hear the covenant instruction in a particular setting between deliverance from Egypt and entry into the western land, rather than as a collection of sayings detached from Israel’s story.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley reads these verses as a preface to the following chapter’s fuller statement of the law. The repeated setting helps distinguish the movement of the addresses while keeping them within the same Moab setting. It does not say the western conquest has already occurred.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

No deeper study linked yet.

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