Historical introduction to Deuteronomy 1:6 ff.: a compilation, perhaps intended to introduce the whole book.
Deuteronomy 1:1. beyond Jordan: therefore the writer dwelt W. of the Jordan; so Deuteronomy 1:5 and often, Deuteronomy 3:8; Deuteronomy 3:20; Deuteronomy 3:25. Araban (lit. waste region): the low-lying valley of the Jordan, the Sea of Galilee and Dead Sea, extending from the Sea of Galilee to the Red Sea (Gulf of Akabah
Deuteronomy 1:2. Horeb in D and E = Sinai in J and P (see Deuteronomy 33:2).
Deuteronomy 1:3. From P: its P origin is revealed by the date note and the word translated eleventh.
Deuteronomy 1:4. Sinon: Numbers 21:21 *. Og: p.64, Numbers 21:33 *. Amorites in E and D = Canaanites in J; i.e. the pre-Israelite population of W. Palestine. Read (with LXX) and at Edrei: Og had two royal residences.
Deuteronomy 1:5. began: the Heb. means to undertake or set about a task. this law: i.e. the D law which, however, begins at Deuteronomy 12. The word translated law (torah) means instruction, though following the LXX (nomos) and Vulg. (lex) it is rendered by a word = law in most modern VSS. The Heb. word came to denote the authoritative teaching of prophets (1 Samuel 10:25; Isaiah 1:10 *, etc.) and of priests (see Leviticus 10:11, etc.). In D and in writings of the D school it becomes a technical term for the D code (see Ezra (Cent. B), pp. 8ff.). The Jews use the word for the Pentateuch, but it never has that sense in the OT. See p. 121, Proverbs 3:1 *.