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Paul Ruger
Professor Bosman
RELG 121 Section 8
31 October 2017
The Deuteronomistic History
Throughout history, people have been fascinated by the Bible and have it not only as a
resource for how to live, but also as a set of theological and historical documents. Indeed, the
Pentateuch lays out the history of the Israelites. as well as some important principles. Especially
in Deuteronomy, that would serve as the foundational theory for a majority of the Historical
books. This theory, known as the Deuteronomistic history, would prove to be rather influential to
not only those undergoing the Babylonian exile, but to many down through the ages.
For many years, it was firmly believed that Moses, the prophet to whom God gave the
Ten Commandments, was the author of the the Pentateuch, since he is the primary character. The
Pentateuch consists of five books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.
These were compiled during the Babylonian Exile into their current form from four different
sources: the Yahwist, Elohist, Priestly, and Deuteronomist documents (Sumney). Even though
Moses dies within the Pentateuch, it was believed that God inspired Moses to write
Deuteronomy knowing what would occur after his death. However, it was later realized that this
was not likely; that Moses could not have authorized all five books of the Pentateuch. Being that
it is now known how the books came about in their current form, this explains that Moses likely
never wrote anything, rather it was oral tradition that was later written down, rearranged, and
compiled into its current form. It should be noted, however, that since the historical events were
written down after the events they tell of occurred, this should not be read as objective history.
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While each book of the Pentateuch offers its own lessons and examples, Deuteronomy is
especially significant in that it presents us with what is known as the Deuteronomistic lens,
which serves as the foundation for the Deuteronomistic history. The term Deuteronomistic
history was coined by the German biblical scholar Martin Noth to explain the content of the
books beginning with Joshua and ending with 1 & 2 Kings. These books, among others, are
known as the Historical Books of the Bible. This history presents us with a retelling of Israel’s
history in the light of the Babylonian Exile as the exiles were called to recollect their past.
The narrative of Deuteronomy spans from creation to the verge of the Israelites entering
the Promised Land, before which Moses dies. In this can be found the Deuteronomistic lens, as
many pondered why Moses, the prophet who had led the Israelites out of slavery and around the
wilderness for forty years, should not even be allowed to enter the Promised Land. Deuteronomy
26 provides a summary of this history: “When the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us,
by imposing hard labor upon us, we cried to the Lord, the God of our ancestors; the Lord heard
our voice and saw our affliction, our toil, and our oppression. The Lord brought us out of
Egypt…and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.”
1
When God’s people faced
affliction, God heard their cry and delivered them from their oppressors. Additionally,
Deuteronomy 6 sheds some light on Moses’ situation: “Then the Lord commanded us to observe
all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God, for our lasting good, so as to keep us alive, as is now
the case. If we diligently observe this entire commandment before the Lord our God, as he has
commanded us, then we will be in the right.”
2
Thus, it follows that, since Moses was not
permitted to enter the Promised Land, he must have not been in the right. This serves as a
significant example to the exiles, as if even Moses himself was disobedient and did not find
favor with God, he too would be punished.
1
Deuteronomy 26:6-9
2
Deuteronomy 6:24-25
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This theme of using obedience as both a cause and effect is the defining theme of the
Deuteronomistic history: obedience leads to rewards and disobedience leads to punishment. If
you are are being punished, you must have done something wrong, and if you are happy, you
have done something right. Therefore, it follows that the Israelites, who were wandering the
wilderness for forty years, must have done wrong in the sight of God, and it was not until an
obedient generation arose that they could find reward in the form of entering the Promised Land.
Recall that the Pentateuch was compiled in its current form during the Babylonian exile,
a time in which those in Israel were held captive in Babylonia. Almost immediately prior to the
exile, however, during the reign of King Josiah, the high priest discovered a book of law within
the temple that immediately caused Josiah to tear his clothes, a sign of humility, and order his
servant “Go, inquire of the Lord for me, for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words
of this book that has been found; for great is the wrath of the Lord that is kindled against us,
