SPECIAL INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY In vol. i. p. lxxiv. seq., I endeavoured to state the chief facts which concern the origin and publication of the Deuteronomical code. But the more detailed inquiry into the process by which the book of Deuteronomy assumed its present form was intentionally left over for the present volume. The following, then, are the main points which present themselves for consideration now. First we have to examine the code itself as contained in Deuteronomy xii.-xxvi., and to see whether even within these narrow limits we can distinguish the law in its simpler and earlier form from subsequent interpretations and expansion. Next we have to examine the historical and hortatory introductions given in the first eleven chapters, and to ascertain, if possible, when and how they came to occupy their present position. Thirdly we shall consider the chapters which are appended to the law in the strict sense of the word, and which partly enforce its observation by promises and threats, partly explain the way in which it was transmitted by Moses to the Levites. Finally something must be said about the work done by writers of the Deuteronomic school who edited older historic works and inserted remarks of their own, criticising the history of the past from the standpoint of the Deuteronomic reform. These are the chief questions which now demand attention, and to which we must address ourselves, clearly marking, so far as may be, the points of difficulty, with the data at hand for their solution, and separating conclusions which are certain, or at least highly probable, from those which do not rise above a low degree of VOL. II. A |