The Book of Deuteronomy: Chapters 1–11

Arnold offers nothing short of a masterfully comprehensive 600-pages-and-plus volume, integrating a thorough overview of scholarship with his own scholarly perspective always fully in view. The commentary offers a thorough introduction regarding the book’s origin(s), social setting in ancient Israel, and important themes, prior to an extensive verse-by-verse commentary with original translation, all with a thoughtful eye toward the NICOT series general audience of those adhering to forms of evangelical Christianity. ... The volume is careful to make Deuteronomy relevant for evangelical readers in a way that is respectful of the text at hand. For example, Arnold argues against any understanding that God in the Hebrew Bible is an inherently “angry God” in contrast to a depiction of God within the New Testament as a “loving” God (54, 524). The only potential drawback to this volume is its sheer length, with commentary running over 600 pages, which may render a careful reading of its contents difficult... The volume will be of great interest to all graduate-level students (including seminary but also anyone wanting an up-to-date, expansive work on recent Deuteronomy scholarship), teachers, scholars, as well as the general reader. That is a key highlight of the volume: it is both meticulous in its scholarship, yet also accessible. [Full Review]

Der eigentliche Kommentar, die Hauptsache des Buches, kann hier nur kurz angesprochen werden: Er ist in jeder Hinsicht gründlich (textkritisch, philologisch, historisch, theologisch), kennt nicht nur die angelsächsische, sondern auch die europäische (bes. die deutschsprachige) Forschungsliteratur und enthält damit auch dann, wenn man sich selber schon vertieft mit dem Deuteronomium beschäftigt hat, immer wieder neue Einsichten und Anregungen. Es ist somit ein Kommentar, den ich immer wieder zur Hand nehmen werde. Insgesamt (schon bei den Einleitungsfragen) ist Arnold eher vorsichtig mit voreiligen Schlussfolgerungen, sehr abwägend und stellt oft mehrere Möglichkeiten nebeneinander, ohne sich für eine zu entscheiden. [Google Translation] The actual commentary, the main point of the book, can only be briefly mentioned here: it is thorough in every respect (textual criticism, philology, history, theology), is familiar with not only the Anglo-Saxon but also the European (especially German-language) research literature and thus always contains new insights and suggestions, even if one has already studied Deuteronomy in depth. It is therefore a commentary that I will always refer to. Overall (even in the introductory questions), Arnold is rather cautious about hasty conclusions, is very careful and often puts several possibilities side by side without deciding on one. This is to be appreciated as a scholarly virtue, even if one would occasionally wish for clearer positioning. [Full Review]

Arnold is a tremendous writer. Few introductory sections of commentaries are compelling, fast paced, and innovative, but this is. This commentary will not bore its reader... I am certainly not always in agreement with him, but he is a fruitful conversation partner. As a result, I am convinced that this new NICOT volume (and its forthcoming companion) will be the new standard for engaging Deuteronomy. [Full Review]

Arnold’s commentary of Deuteronomy 1-11 will likely become the standard treatment from a broadly evangelical perspective. We cannot help but think that the completion of his commentary on Deuteronomy with the second volume will substantiate this claim.

For each passage, Arnold gives his own fresh translation of the Hebrew text and provides extensive textual critical notes with rationale, which is a special component of this commentary. He even incorporates the apparatus of the currently-in-progress BH into his discussion and thus is very thorough in discussing text-critical issues. After the translation and text-critical sections for each passage, Arnold provides comprehensive discussion of each verse, accompanied by copious footnotes in support of his arguments and providing resources for further study... In addition, those who consult this commentary will find not only solid grammatical and extended exegetical discussions but also discussion of frequently debated issues in Deuteronomic studies. For example, Arnold addresses how to translate and understand the Shema Deut 6:4) with its simple wording but complex syntax, the importance of the creedal passage of Exodus 34:4 6 in conjunction with Deuteronomy (p. 325), or how to deal with the parallel passages in Exodus and Numbers (p. 549).... This book does an excellent job of unpacking the riches of what is arguably the most important theological book of the OT, and I am sure that it will of great service to many a future user seeking grammatical, syntactical, and exe-gerical wisdom from hasebonomy 1-11. However, the wonderful information in this commentary (perhaps because of the limitations of technical exegetical commentaries like those in the NICOT series) is presented in a style devoid of direct personal appeal to the reader to respond in tangible ways; this runs counter to what I think Deuteronomy is intended to do for readers who engage it. The later OT prophets draw heavily upon Deuteronomy to call God's people to actively and lovingly live out their covenant agreement at Sinai, and even Jesus used Deuteronomy in practical ways in defeating the devil's temptations (Matt 4). Those who use this great resource are encouraged to soak in all the information it provides and then deeply reflect on what it looks like in their own setting to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might" (Deut 6:5).

This work does an excellent job of unpacking the riches and depths of what is arguably the most important theological book of the ОТ, and I am sure that it will be of great service to many a future user seeking grammatical, syntactical, and exegetical wisdom from Deuteronomy 1-11. However, the wonderful information in this commentary (perhaps because of the limitations of technical exegetical commentaries like those in the NICOT series) is presented in a style devoid of direct personal appeal to the reader to respond in tangible ways; this runs counter to what I think Deuteronomy is intended to do for readers who engage it. The later OT prophets draw heavily upon Deuteronomy to call God's people to actively and lovingly live out their covenant agreement at Sinai, and even Jesus used Deuteronomy in practical ways in defeating the devil's temptations (Matt 4). Those who use this great resource are encouraged to soak in all the information it provides and then deeply reflect on what it looks like in their own setting to "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might" (Deut 6:5).

The first 90 or so pages are devoted to an introduction that covers the background, composition, authorship/date, occasion, canonicity, and themes of the book of Deuteronomy.... From there, Arnold divides the text into four primary sections: the book’s superscription, a historical discourse, a sermonic discourse, and a Torah discourse. In typical fashion for NICOT and NICNT books, The Book of Deuteronomy Chapters 1–11 works methodically through the text to provide deep and accessible exegesis. Deuteronomy is a difficult book, particularly in the way it presents Yahweh, and my main curiosity with this volume would be how Arnold perceives Deuteronomy’s view of God as a conquering warrior. And if there was one area of the commentary I wish had been more expanded, it would be the section on warfare. Arnold acknowledges that the warfare imagery is challenging and asks that readers view the words in their ancient context. He suggests that us modern readers can interpret the warfare imagery as “a creative act of order against chaos” (81) and that “The picture of Israel in the book is that of a people with weapons in their hands, ready to inherit the promises of God, but learning (haltingly) to trust God alone in the face of overwhelming and terrifying obstacles” (81). While I wish this had been covered more deeply, that statement has very much helped me make sense of how to use and apply Deuteronomy pastorally.... Deuteronomy retains its nuance and depth, as Arnold is able to rebuild the ancient context to allow readers to see the text in its ancient world, then build bridges of application and understanding to our modern one. I eagerly await the next volume! [Full Review]

Arnold takes a moderately critical stance on Deuteronomy. He argues the book should not be defined narrowly by “Mosaic authorship” but by “Mosaic origin.” This means that Moses’s voice lies behind the book, not Moses’s pen. Rather, in keeping with Arnold’s understanding of ancient composition techniques, the book resulted from numerous conflations, compilations, and expansions. The commentary is a welcome and enhanced update to Craigie’s earlier work. The main strength of the com- mentary is his detailed exegesis, with numerous background insights from the ANE to elucidate the meaning of the text. His discussion of the main themes of the book is also significant. One criticism would be his tendency to minimize Moses’s role in the production of the book. Scripture indicates more involvement on Moses’s part than merely as a voice or shadowy figure behind the discourses. [Full Review]

Much more can be said about this important new commentary. And one eagerly awaits the remaining volumes to become available. Other great commentaries of Deuteronomy exist, but this – when complete – will be among the very best. [Full Review]

Bill Arnold’s commentary on Deuteronomy 1–11 offers another valuable contribution to the NICOT commentary series. Aiming to provide the highest quality scholarship and interpret the biblical text from a broadly defined “evangelical” understanding of the text’s authority as scripture, the NICOT series has an established reputation for a detailed engagement with the Hebrew Bible and robust discussion of key secondary scholarship relevant to its interpretation.... In conclusion, in keeping with the tradition established by the NICOT commentary series, Arnold’s volume on Deuteronomy 1–11 will be of immense value to scholars, students, and faith leaders, particularly those operating within a broadly-defined evangelical theological context or reading tradition. Of course, this orientation of the series does not limit the volume’s value for readers who do not identify with this reading tradition. [Full Review]

I enjoyed the rest of the Introduction and thought its greatest strength was its big picture presentation rather than some occasional details that seemed suspect to me. The theology section was especially rich and seemed to work in more big-picture analysis that delivered more than you get in many such theology overviews. He kind of showed off his scholarly prowess here in an accessible way. The commentary proper covering Deuteronomy was all you would hope from a series designed like the NICOT. Mature, thoughtful, thorough, even penetrating, all come to mind. I will look forward to the second volume until it arrives. This volume will easily be one of the better major commentaries on Deuteronomy. [Full Review]

Conclusion. Many surveys of “top commentaries on Deuteronomy” consider Peter Craigie’s commentary one of the best available. Bill Arnold’s new volume is a worthy replacement in terms of additional depth and broad engagement with both the text of Deuteronomy and vast secondary literature. As is usually the case, Arnold’s volume is far more detailed than the Craigie volume it replaces. Arnold devotes 660 pages to the introduction and first eleven chapters of Deuteronomy; Craigie’s commentary was 424 pages for the entire book of Deuteronomy. [Full Review]