Deuteronomy 29:1

E. Narrative interlude 29:1

Chapter 29 Deuteronomy 29:1 is the last verse of chapter 28 in the Hebrew Bible. Moses probably intended it to be a summary statement of what precedes rather than an introduction to what follows. The renewed Mosaic Covenant to which Moses now called on his hearers to commit themselves contrasts somewhat with the original Mosaic Covenant to which the Israelites committed themselves at Mt. Sinai.

". . . the verse forms an inclusio with the preamble section of Deuteronomy 1:1-5. Both passages begin with the phrase ’these are the words . . . which Moses,’ both locate the setting in Moab, and both make reference to Horeb and the earlier covenant. Thus the covenant text proper may be said to have been brought to a conclusion in Deuteronomy 29:1. . . .

"It seems quite clear, then, that a major break occurs between Deuteronomy 29:1 and Deuteronomy 29:2, with the former bringing all the previous material to a close and the latter introducing at least the epilogic historical review." [Note: Merrill, Deuteronomy, p. 373. Cf. Craigie, The Book . . ., p. 353; and Driver, p. 319.]