Deuteronomy (D)

4. Deuteronomy (D)The book of Deuteronomy follows the Yahwist, Elohist, and JE sources in composition order. It differs significantly in that it was not combined with those sources into a larger work. While the Yahwist, Elohist, and Priestly sources were combined together to create Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, and Numbers, the book of Deuteronomy stands apart from these four books. It does, however, continue the story line of the preceding books and provides the conclusion to the life of Moses. Deuteronomy also differs from the preceding four books of the Pentateuch in that it is not so much an account of events as it is a collection of Moses' sermons to the Israelites just before they entered the Promised Land. It has a style quite different from that of the preceding books. Most of it is addressed directly to the Israelites.
   Deuteronomy contains traditions that can be traced all the way back to Israel's tribal origins. Levites living in the north are the ones who shaped the material and preserved it. It has certain affinities with the Elohist source. Details of the style and theology of Deuteronomy are dealt with in chapter 5. It is not crucial at this point to go into detail because, unlike the other sources, we do not have to know about Deuteronomy in order to identify the sources of Genesis through Numbers.