Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 31:22
So that very day Moses wrote down this song and taught it to the Israelites.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses acts as the scribe and instructor at the conclusion of his final address, directing the Israelites to preserve a covenant song before his death.
The words — The Hebrew verbs וַ/יִּכְתֹּ֥ב (va/i.yikh.To) and וַֽ/יְלַמְּדָ֖/הּ (va/y.la.me.Da/h) literally mean "he wrote down" and "he taught it." These verbs govern הַ/שִּׁירָ֥ה הַ/זֹּ֖את (ha./shi.Rah ha./Zot), "this song," specifying simultaneous physical recording and oral instruction on that exact day.
The thread — The command to document and instruct aligns with the earlier directive in Deuteronomy 31:19 and mirrors the legal recording in Deuteronomy 31:9. The song’s designated role as a future witness against the people is established in Deuteronomy 31:21.
Why it lands — The text requires immediate, concrete action to preserve a written and spoken record that will function as evidence against the people. It asks the reader to treat textual transmission as the structural basis for future accountability.
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The Hebrew words
King James Version
Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel.
Cross-references
- Deuteronomy 31:19 Now therefore, write down for yourselves this song and teach it to the Israelites; have them recite it, so that it may be a witness for Me against them.
- Deuteronomy 31:9 So Moses wrote down this law and gave it to the priests, the sons of Levi, who carried the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and to all the elders of Israel.