Deuteronomy (Apollos Old Testament Commentary | AOT)

by J. Gordon McConville

Publishers:

Apollos; IVP

, 2002

Overview

In this outstanding edition from the Apollos Old Testament Commentary (AOT), J. Gordon McConville offers a theological interpretation of the Old Testament book of Deuteronomy in the context of the biblical canon. He gives due attention to historical issues where these bear on what can be known about the settings in which the text emerged. His dominant method is one that approaches Deuteronomy as a finished work.

McConville argues that in the context of the ancient world Deuteronomy should be understood as the radical blueprint for the life of a people, at the same time both spiritual and political, and profoundly different from every other social, political and religious program. The book incorporates the tension between an open-minded vision of a perfectly ordered society under God and practical provisions for dealing with the frailty and imperfections of real people. Hence, it is capable of informing our thinking about the organization of societies while maintaining a vision of the kingdom of God.

Key Features

• Presents scholarly content in an accessible manner
• Aims to reveal the relevance of Deuteronomy to modern readers
• Provides an introduction, an annotated tranlation of the Hebrew text, and in-depth commentary

Contents

Top Highlights

“However, the comparison with the prophets suggests that Deuteronomy should be seen, in the context of the ancient world, as a radical blueprint for the life of a people, at the same time spiritual and political, and running counter to every other social-political-religious programme. It is the aim of the commentary to explain in what sense this is so.” (Page 21)

“The essential aspect of this love is loyalty, as the appearance of love language in political treaties shows. However, there is an emotive side to the love between God and humans too.” (Pages 146–147)

“Deuteronomy deserves its misnomer ‘second law’. The most celebrated difference between Deuteronomy and the laws in Exodus concerns the law of the place of worship, on which Deuteronomy apparently requires a single place (Deut. 12:5), while Exodus had allowed a plurality (Exod. 20:24).” (Page 19)

“In the metaphor of a circumcision of the heart (10:16; 30:6) it has an express echo in Jer. 4:4, and in general comes close to the strong prophetic rejection of ritual actions that have no genuine corresponding devotion to God (e.g. Is. 1:10–17; Amos 5:21–24). In Deut. 30:1–10, in fact, the emphasis on obedience from the heart together with the need for the grace of God in restoring the covenantal relationship puts Deuteronomy close to the new-covenant theology of Jer. 31:31–34.” (Pages 20–21)

“I suggest in contrast that the book of ancient Israel’s constitution could by its nature produce the idea of canon (here with Kline 1972). The Torah taught by Moses takes on an authority equal to that of the words of Yahweh given at Sinai.” (Page 40)

About the Apollos Old Testament Commentary

The Apollos Old Testament Commentary (AOT) aims to take with equal seriousness the divine and human aspects of Scripture. It expounds the books of the Old Testament in a scholarly manner accessible to non-experts, and it shows the relevance of the Old Testament to modern readers. Written by an international team of scholars and edited by David W. Baker and Gordon J. Wenham, these commentaries are intended to serve the needs of those who preach from the Old Testament, as well as scholars and all serious students of the Bible.

Product Details

• Title: Apollos Old Testament Commentary: Deuteronomy
• Author: J. Gordon McConville
• Series Editors: David W. Baker and Gordon J. Wenham
• Series: Apollos Old Testament Commentary (AOTC)
• Publisher: Apollos, IVP
• Publication Date: 2002
• Pages: 544
• Resource Type: Commentary
• Topic: Biblical Studies

About J. Gordon McConville

J. Gordon McConville (PhD, Queen’s University, Belfast) is professor of Old Testament theology at the University of Gloucestershire, where he has taught for more than twenty years. Prior to coming to Gloucestershire, he held positions at Tyndale House, Trinity College Bristol, and Wycliffe Hall, Oxford University. He has authored or edited many books, including the Dictionary of the Old Testament: Prophets and commentaries on Deuteronomy, Joshua, 1 and 2 Chronicles, and Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther. McConville is the general editor of the Exploring the Old Testament series and coauthored the Prophets and Historical Books volumes in the series.