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Literary structure (chiasmus, chiasm) of Book of Deuteronomy

Chiasmus and Concentric Structure of divided by 7


7-1

1 Events at Horeb recalled (1:1-8)
  2 Appointment of Tribal Leaders (1:9-18)
    3 Israel's refusal to enter the Land (1:19-33)
      4 The penalty for Israel's rebellion (1:34-45)
    5 The desert years (1:46-2:25)
  6 Defeat of king Sihon (2:26-37)
7 The land of king Sihon and Og (3:1-22)
Former halfRelationLatter half
1 Events at Horeb recalled (1:1-8)
see 4-1-1
see 4-1-17 The land of king Sihon and Og (3:1-22)
see 4-1-1
2 Appointment of Tribal Leaders (1:9-18)
see 4-1-1
see 4-1-16 Defeat of king Sihon (2:26-37)
see 4-1-1
3 Israel's refusal to enter the Land (1:19-33)
see 4-1-1
see 4-1-15 The desert years (1:46-2:25)
see 4-1-1

7-1-1

1 Events at Horeb recalled (1:1-8)
  2 Appointment of Tribal Leaders (1:9-18)
  3 Israel's refusal to enter the Land (1:19-33)
4 The penalty for Israel's rebellion (1:34-45)
Former halfRelationLatter half
1 Events at Horeb recalled (1:1-8)
1:7 Leave here and go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all the surrounding regions, the land of the Canaanites in the Arabah, the mountains, the foothills, the Negeb and the seacoast; to Lebanon, and as far as the Great River (the Euphrates).
Go to Canaan4 The penalty for Israel's rebellion (1:34-45)
1:40 But as for yourselves: turn about and proceed into the desert on the Red Sea road.
2 Appointment of Tribal Leaders (1:9-18)
1:15 So I took outstanding men of your tribes, wise and experienced, and made them your leaders as officials over thousands, over hundreds, over fifties and over tens, and other tribal officers.
Selecting from twelve tribes3 Israel's refusal to enter the Land (1:19-33)
1:23 Agreeing with the proposal, I chose twelve men from your number, one from each tribe.

7-1-2

4 The penalty for Israel's rebellion (1:34-45)
  5 The desert years (1:46-2:25)
  6 Defeat of king Sihon (2:26-37)
7 The land of king Sihon and Og (3:1-22)
Former halfRelationLatter half
4 The penalty for Israel's rebellion (1:34-45)
1:42 But the LORD said to me, 'Warn them: Do not go up and fight, lest you be beaten down before your enemies, for I will not be in your midst.'(1:42)
Don't fight / you should fight7 The land of king Sihon and Og (3:1-22)
3:22 Fear them not, for the LORD, your God, will fight for you.' (3:22)
5 The desert years (1:46-2:25)
2:5 I will not give you so much as a foot of their land (2:5)
Prohibited lands6 Defeat of king Sihon (2:26-37)
2:37 However, in obedience to the command of the LORD, our God, you did not encroach upon any of the Ammonite land, neither the region bordering on the Wadi Jabbok, nor the cities of the highlands.

7-2

8 Moses views Canaan from Pisgah (3:23-29)
  9 Exhortation to keep the law (4:1-14)
    10 Against idolatry (4:15-31)
      11 Mighty acts of God (4:32-40)
    12 Cities of refuge East of the Jordan (4:41-43)
  13 Transition to the second address (4:44-49)
14 The ten commandments (5:1-22)
Former halfRelationLatter half
8 Moses views Canaan from Pisgah (3:23-29)
3:26 But the LORD was angry with me on your account and would not hear me.
Jealous God14 The ten commandments (5:1-22)
5:9For I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God,
9 Exhortation to keep the law (4:1-14)
4:1 "Now, Israel, hear the statutes and decrees which I am teaching you to observe,
The statutes and decrees13 Transition to the second address (4:44-49)
4:45 These are the ordinances, statutes and decrees which he proclaimed to them
10 Against idolatry (4:15-31)
4:27 The LORD will scatter you among the nations, and there shall remain but a handful of you among the nations to which the LORD will lead you.
Surviving12 Cities of refuge East of the Jordan (4:41-43)
4:42 that a homicide might take refuge there if he unwittingly killed his neighbor to whom he had previously borne no malice, and that he might save his life by fleeing to one of these cities:

7-2-1

8 Moses views Canaan from Pisgah (3:23-29)
  9 Exhortation to keep the law (4:1-14)
  10 Against idolatry (4:15-31)
11 Mighty acts of God (4:32-40)
Former halfRelationLatter half
8 Moses views Canaan from Pisgah (3:23-29)
3:24For what god in heaven or on earth can perform deeds as mighty as yours?
Heaven and earth11 Mighty acts of God (4:32-40)
4:36 Out of the heavens he let you hear his voice to discipline you; on earth he let you see his great fire,
9 Exhortation to keep the law (4:1-14)
4:3the LORD, your God, destroyed from your midst everyone that followed the Baal of Peor;
Destruction caused by idolism10 Against idolatry (4:15-31)
4:25"When you have children and grandchildren, and have grown old in the land, should you then degrade yourselves by fashioning an idol in any form and by this evil done in his sight provoke the LORD, your God, 4:26 I call heaven and earth this day to witness against you, that you shall all quickly perish from the land which you will occupy when you cross the Jordan. You shall not live in it for any length of time but shall be promptly wiped out.

7-2-2

11 Mighty acts of God (4:32-40)
  12 Cities of refuge East of the Jordan (4:41-43)
  13 Transition to the second address (4:44-49)
14 The ten commandments (5:1-22)
Former halfRelationLatter half
11 Mighty acts of God (4:32-40)
4:33 Did a people ever hear the voice of God speaking from the midst of fire, as you did, and live?
The voice of God speaking from the midst of fire14 The ten commandments (5:1-22)
5:4 The LORD spoke with you face to face on the mountain from the midst of the fire.
12 Cities of refuge East of the Jordan (4:41-43)
4:41 Then Moses set apart three cities in the region east of the Jordan,
East bank of the Jordan13 Transition to the second address (4:44-49)
4:47 They occupied his land and the land of Og, king of Bashan, as well--the land of these two kings of the Amorites in the region east of the Jordan:

7-3

15 Moses the mediator of God's will (5:23-33)
  16 Don't forget the Lord (6:1-9)
    17 Caution against disobedience (6:10-25)
      18 Destroy them (7:1-5)
    19 God chooses Israelites (7:6-15)
  20 Don't be afraid (7:16-26)
21 God's care in the wilderness (8:1-20)
Former halfRelationLatter half
15 Moses the mediator of God's will (5:23-33)
5:29 Would that they might always be of such a mind, to fear me and to keep all my commandments! Then they and their descendants would prosper forever.
Fear God and keep the law21 God's care in the wilderness (8:1-20)
8:6 "Therefore, keep the commandments of the LORD, your God, by walking in his ways and fearing him.
16 Don't forget the Lord (6:1-9)
6:2 so that you and your son and your grandson may fear the LORD, your God, and keep, throughout the days of your lives, all his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you, and thus have long life.(6:2)
Fear God20 Don't be afraid (7:16-26)
7:21 Therefore, do not be terrified by them, for the LORD, your God, who is in your midst, is a great and awesome God. (7:21)
17 Caution against disobedience (6:10-25)
6:11 houses filled with all sorts of goods that you did not fill, hewn cisterns that you did not hew, vineyards and olive groves that you did not plant--and when you have eaten your fill,(6:11)
The grace of the LORD19 God chooses Israelites (7:6-15)
7:13 he will love you, bless you, and multiply you; he will bless the fruit of your womb and the fruit of your ground, your grain and your wine and your oil, the increase of your cattle and the issue of your flock, in the land that he swore to your ancestors to give you.(7:13)

7-3-1

15 Moses the mediator of God's will (5:23-33)
  16 Don't forget the Lord (6:1-9)
  17 Caution against disobedience (6:10-25)
18 Destroy them (7:1-5)
Former halfRelationLatter half
15 Moses the mediator of God's will (5:23-33)
5:25Surely this great fire will consume us.
Burned by fire18 Destroy them (7:1-5)
7:5"But this is how you must deal with them: Tear down their altars, smash their sacred pillars, chop down their sacred poles, and destroy their idols by fire.
16 Don't forget the Lord (6:1-9)
6:2 so that you and your son and your grandson may fear the LORD, your God, and keep, throughout the days of your lives, all his statutes and commandments which I enjoin on you, and thus have long life.(6:2)
Fear God17 Caution against disobedience (6:10-25)
6:13 The LORD, your God, shall you fear; him shall you serve, and by his name shall you swear. (6:13)

7-3-2

18 Destroy them (7:1-5)
  19 God chooses Israelites (7:6-15)
  20 Don't be afraid (7:16-26)
21 God's care in the wilderness (8:1-20)
Former halfRelationLatter half
18 Destroy them (7:1-5)
7:4 For they would turn your sons from following me to serving other gods, and then the wrath of the LORD would flare up against you and quickly destroy you.
Curse / blessing21 God's care in the wilderness (8:1-20)
8:1 Be careful to observe all the commandments I enjoin on you today, that you may live and increase, and may enter in and possess the land which the LORD promised on oath to your fathers.
19 God chooses Israelites (7:6-15)
7:15 The LORD will turn away from you every illness; all the dread diseases of Egypt that you experienced, he will not inflict on you, but he will lay them on all who hate you.(7:15)
Disasters of gentiles20 Don't be afraid (7:16-26)
7:19 the great trials that your eyes saw, the signs and wonders, the mighty hand and the outstretched arm by which the LORD your God brought you out. The LORD your God will do the same to all the peoples of whom you are afraid.(7:19)

7-4

22 Warning about perish (9:1-6)
  23 The consequences of rebelling against God (9:7-29)
    24 The second pair of tablets (10:1-11)
      25 The essence of the law (10:12-22)
    26 Great deeds of the Lord (11:1-9)
  27 Blessings and curses (11:10-32)
28 Correct place for worship (12:1-12)
Former halfRelationLatter half
22 Warning about perish (9:1-6)
see 1-1
see 1-128 Correct place for worship (12:1-12)
see 1-1
23 The consequences of rebelling against God (9:7-29)
see 1-1
see 1-127 Blessings and curses (11:10-32)
see 1-1
24 The second pair of tablets (10:1-11)
see 1-1
see 1-126 Great deeds of the Lord (11:1-9)
see 1-1

7-4-1

22 Warning about perish (9:1-6)
  23 The consequences of rebelling against God (9:7-29)
  24 The second pair of tablets (10:1-11)
25 The essence of the law (10:12-22)
Former halfRelationLatter half
22 Warning about perish (9:1-6)
9:5 in order to keep the promise which he made on oath to your fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (9:5)
Promise with ancestors25 The essence of the law (10:12-22)
10:22 Your ancestors went down to Egypt seventy strong, and now the LORD, your God, has made you as numerous as the stars of the sky.
23 The consequences of rebelling against God (9:7-29)
9:10 And the LORD gave me the two stone tablets written with the finger of God; on them were all the words that the LORD had spoken to you at the mountain out of the fire on the day of the assembly.(9:10)
Giving the tablet24 The second pair of tablets (10:1-11)
10:4 Then he wrote on the tablets the same words as before, the ten commandments that the LORD had spoken to you on the mountain out of the fire on the day of the assembly; and the LORD gave them to me.(10:4)

7-4-2

25 The essence of the law (10:12-22)
  26 Great deeds of the Lord (11:1-9)
  27 Blessings and curses (11:10-32)
28 Correct place for worship (12:1-12)
Former halfRelationLatter half
25 The essence of the law (10:12-22)
10:13 to keep the commandments and statutes of the LORD which I enjoin on you today for your own good?
Keeping the law28 Correct place for worship (12:1-12)
12:1 "These are the statutes and decrees which you must be careful to observe in the land which the LORD, the God of your fathers, has given you to occupy, as long as you live on its soil.
26 Great deeds of the Lord (11:1-9)
11:1 "Love the LORD, your God, therefore, and always heed his charge: his statutes, decrees and commandments.
Love God and keep the law27 Blessings and curses (11:10-32)
11:13If, then, you truly heed my commandments which I enjoin on you today, loving and serving the LORD, your God, with all your heart and all your soul,

7-5

29 A prescribed place of worship (12:13-28)
  30 Slaughtering animals (12:29-13:19)
    31 Regulations (14:1-25:16)
      32 Destroy Amalek (25:17-19)
    33 First fruits and tithes (26:1-15)
  34 Concluding exhortation (26:16-19)
35 The inscribed stones and altar on Mount Ebal (27:1-10)
Former halfRelationLatter half
29 A prescribed place of worship (12:13-28)
12:27 there you must offer both the flesh and the blood of your holocausts on the altar of the LORD (12:27)
Offerings35 The inscribed stones and altar on Mount Ebal (27:1-10)
27:6 You must build the altar of the LORD your God of unhewn stones. Then offer up burnt offerings on it to the LORD your God,(27:6)
30 Slaughtering animals (12:29-13:19)
13:5The LORD your God you shall follow, him alone you shall fear, his commandments you shall keep, his voice you shall obey, him you shall serve, and to him you shall hold fast. (13:5)
Obeying to the commandments34 Concluding exhortation (26:16-19)
26:17 Today you have obtained the Lord's agreement: to be your God; and for you to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, his commandments, and his ordinances, and to obey him.(26:17)
31 Regulations (14:1-25:16)
14:29 the Levites, because they have no allotment or inheritance with you, as well as the resident aliens, the orphans, and the widows in your towns, may come and eat their fill so that the LORD your God may bless you in all the work that you undertake. (14:29)
Help for the needy people33 First fruits and tithes (26:1-15)
26:13 I have given it to the Levites, the resident aliens, the orphans, and the widows, in accordance with your entire commandment that you commanded me; (26:13)

7-5-1

29 A prescribed place of worship (12:13-28)
  30 Slaughtering animals (12:29-13:19)
  31 Regulations (14:1-25:16)
32 Destroy Amalek (25:17-19)
Former halfRelationLatter half
29 A prescribed place of worship (12:13-28)
12:20 After the LORD, your God, has enlarged your territory, as he promised you (12:20)
Fulfillment of the promise32 Destroy Amalek (25:17-19)
25:19 Therefore when the LORD your God has given you rest from all your enemies on every hand, in the land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance to possess, you shall blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; do not forget. (25:19)
30 Slaughtering animals (12:29-13:19)
13:1 "Every command that I enjoin on you, you shall be careful to observe, neither adding to it nor subtracting from it.
The laws31 Regulations (14:1-25:16)
The book of regulations

7-5-2

32 Destroy Amalek (25:17-19)
  33 First fruits and tithes (26:1-15)
  34 Concluding exhortation (26:16-19)
35 The inscribed stones and altar on Mount Ebal (27:1-10)
Former halfRelationLatter half
32 Destroy Amalek (25:17-19)
25:19 you shall blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven; do not forget. (25:19)
Blot out the remembrance / keep remembrance35 The inscribed stones and altar on Mount Ebal (27:1-10)
27:8 You shall write on the stones all the words of this law very clearly.(27:8)
33 First fruits and tithes (26:1-15)
26:5 you shall make this response before the LORD your God (26:5)
Profession of faith34 Concluding exhortation (26:16-19)
26:17 Today you have obtained the Lord's agreement: to be your God; and for you to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, his commandments, and his ordinances, and to obey him.(26:17)

7-6

36 Twelve curses (27:11-26)
  37 Blessings for obedience and warnings against disobedience (28:1-46)
    38 Warning against descendants (28:47-68)
      39 The covenant renewed in Moab (28:69-29:28)
    40 With heart and soul (30:1-14)
  41 Life and death (30:15-20)
42 Joshua becomes Moses' successor (31:1-8)
Former halfRelationLatter half
36 Twelve curses (27:11-26)
27:12 When you have crossed over the Jordan, these shall stand on Mount Gerizim for the blessing of the people: Simeon, Levi, Judah, Issachar, Joseph, and Benjamin.(27:12)
Crossing the Jordan river42 Joshua becomes Moses' successor (31:1-8)
31:2 the LORD has told me, You shall not cross over this Jordan.(31:2)
37 Blessings for obedience and warnings against disobedience (28:1-46)
Blessings and curses
Blessings and curses41 Life and death (30:15-20)
30:19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. (30:19)
38 Warning against descendants (28:47-68)
28:64 The LORD will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other; (28:64)
Scattered people40 With heart and soul (30:1-14)
30:1 When all these things have happened to you, the blessings and the curses that I have set before you, if you call them to mind among all the nations where the LORD your God has driven you,(30:1)

7-6-1

36 Twelve curses (27:11-26)
  37 Blessings for obedience and warnings against disobedience (28:1-46)
  38 Warning against descendants (28:47-68)
39 The covenant renewed in Moab (28:69-29:28)
Former halfRelationLatter half
36 Twelve curses (27:11-26)
27:13 while Reuben, Gad, Asher, Zebulun, Dan and Naphtali shall stand on Mount Ebal to pronounce curses. (27:13)
Curses39 The covenant renewed in Moab (28:69-29:28)
29:11 that you may enter into the covenant of the LORD, your God, which he concluded with you today under this sanction of a curse; (29:11)
37 Blessings for obedience and warnings against disobedience (28:1-46)
28:15 But if you will not obey the LORD your God by diligently observing all his commandments and decrees, which I am commanding you today, then all these curses shall come upon you and overtake you:(28:15)
Disasters38 Warning against descendants (28:47-68)
28:58 If you do not diligently observe all the words of this law that are written in this book, fearing this glorious and awesome name, the LORD your God,28:59 then the LORD will overwhelm both you and your offspring with severe and lasting afflictions and grievous and lasting maladies.(28:58-59)

7-6-2

39 The covenant renewed in Moab (28:69-29:28)
  40 With heart and soul (30:1-14)
  41 Life and death (30:15-20)
42 Joshua becomes Moses' successor (31:1-8)
Former halfRelationLatter half
39 The covenant renewed in Moab (28:69-29:28)
29:6When we came to this place, Sihon, king of Heshbon, and Og, king of Bashan, came out to engage us in battle (29:6)
King Sihon of Heshbon and King Og of Bashan42 Joshua becomes Moses' successor (31:1-8)
31:4 The LORD will do to them as he did to Sihon and Og, the kings of the Amorites, and to their land, when he destroyed them.(31:4)
40 With heart and soul (30:1-14)
30:1 When all these things have happened to you, the blessings and the curses (30:1)
Blessings and curses41 Life and death (30:15-20)
30:19 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. (30:19)

7-7

43 The law to be read every seventh year (31:9-13)
  44 Introduction to Song of Moses (31:14-23)
    45 Moses prepares to recite his song (31:24-29)
      46 The song of Moses (31:30-32:44)
    47 Moses' death foretold (32:45-52)
  48 Moses' blessing on Israel (33:1-29)
49 Israel mourns the death of Moses (34:1-12)
Former halfRelationLatter half
43 The law to be read every seventh year (31:9-13)
see 4-4-2
see 4-4-249 Israel mourns the death of Moses (34:1-12)
see 4-4-2
44 Introduction to Song of Moses (31:14-23)
see 4-4-2
see 4-4-248 Moses' blessing on Israel (33:1-29)
see 4-4-2
45 Moses prepares to recite his song (31:24-29)
see 4-4-2
see 4-4-247 Moses' death foretold (32:45-52)
see 4-4-2

7-7-1

43 The law to be read every seventh year (31:9-13)
  44 Introduction to Song of Moses (31:14-23)
  45 Moses prepares to recite his song (31:24-29)
46 The song of Moses (31:30-32:44)
Former halfRelationLatter half
43 The law to be read every seventh year (31:9-13)
31:11 when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place that he will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing.(31:11)
In the hearing of the whole Israel46 The song of Moses (31:30-32:44)
31:30 Then Moses recited the words of this song, to the very end, in the hearing of the whole assembly of Israel: (31:30)
44 Introduction to Song of Moses (31:14-23)
31:16 Soon you will lie down with your ancestors. Then this people will begin to prostitute themselves to the foreign gods in their midst, the gods of the land into which they are going; (31:16)
After death of Moses45 Moses prepares to recite his song (31:24-29)
31:29 For I know that after my death you will surely act corruptly, turning aside from the way that I have commanded you. (31:29)

7-7-2

46 The song of Moses (31:30-32:44)
  47 Moses' death foretold (32:45-52)
  48 Moses' blessing on Israel (33:1-29)
49 Israel mourns the death of Moses (34:1-12)
Former halfRelationLatter half
46 The song of Moses (31:30-32:44)
31:30 Then Moses recited the words of this song, to the very end, in the hearing of the whole assembly of Israel: (31:30)
Showing to whole Israel49 Israel mourns the death of Moses (34:1-12)
34:12 and for all the mighty deeds and all the terrifying displays of power that Moses performed in the sight of all Israel.(34:12)
47 Moses' death foretold (32:45-52)
32:50 you shall die there on the mountain (32:50)
Death of Moses48 Moses' blessing on Israel (33:1-29)
33:1 This is the blessing with which Moses, the man of God, blessed the Israelites before his death.(33:1)

Citations of the Bible are from New American Bible, New Revised Standard Version and New Jerusalem Bible.

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Literary Structure of the Bible by Hajime Murai is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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