Why Is It Called Deuteronomy?
The name “Deuteronomy” comes from the Greek word Deuteronomion, which means “second law” or “repetition of the law.”
📜 Origin of the Name:
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It’s derived from the Septuagint (the ancient Greek translation of the Old Testament).
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Specifically, it comes from a mistranslation of Deuteronomy 17:18, where the king is told to make a “copy of this law” (Hebrew: mishneh ha-torah), which was translated in Greek as “a second law.”
🧾 What the Name Represents:
The name doesn’t mean a new set of laws, but rather:
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A repetition, restatement, and clarification of the laws already given in Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers.
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It’s Moses’ final speeches to the new generation of Israelites, reminding them of God’s covenant and commands before entering the Promised Land.
📖 Hebrew Name:
In Hebrew, the book is called “Devarim” , meaning “Words”, from the opening line:
“These are the words Moses spoke…” (Deut. 1:1)
🧠 Summary:
Deuteronomy means “second law” and refers to Moses’ final retelling of God’s commands to a new generation of Israelites, not a new law, but a powerful reminder of the original covenant.