What does Deuteronomy 31:10 mean?

And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles, Deuteronomy 31:10

Explanation

Deuteronomy 31:10 provides a directive given by Moses to the Israelite people, instructing them to observe a communal reading of the Law every seven years. This event was to take place during the “year of release,” also known as the Sabbatical year, which was a time when debts were forgiven, and slaves were set free. The occasion for this reading was to be the Feast of Tabernacles, also known as Sukkot, a joyful festival that marked the end of the agricultural year and commemorated the Israelites’ time in the wilderness after their exodus from Egypt.

The Sabbatical year itself was a testament to trust in God’s provision, as the land was to lay fallow, and agricultural activity was suspended. This cessation from work was both an exercise in community faith and a practical mandate for environmental stewardship and social justice. The public reading of the Law was a reinforcement of the people’s covenant with God — a reminder of their history, their identity, and their obligations to God and each other.

Historical Context

Deuteronomy is situated in the historical context of the Israelites preparing to enter the Promised Land after 40 years in the wilderness. Moses, as their leader, was reiterating the laws given at Sinai and providing new instructions to govern the people’s lives once settled. Within this framework, Deuteronomy 31:10 is part of Moses’ farewell speeches to the nation.

The concept of a Sabbatical year, as well as the Feast of Tabernacles, were part of the cultural and legal fabric of ancient Israelite society. These systems reflect a broader Ancient Near Eastern practice of cyclical time, where certain events or practices recurred on regular, often seven-year intervals. They also exhibit a unique feature of Israelite law, with its concern for equitable societal structures and care for the land.

Theological Insights

Deuteronomy 31:10 can be understood from various theological perspectives:

• Covenant Theology: This verse is seen as an expression of covenant renewal, reminding the Israelites of the Law and the relationship it encapsulates with God.
• Dispensationalism: Some may view the specific practices and the Sabbatical cycle as part of the ‘dispensation’ of the Law given to Israel before the coming of Christ.
• Liberation Theology: The “year of release” emphasizes the theme of liberation and jubilee, pointing out God’s concern for the poor and marginalized.

Each perspective derives different meanings from the text, focusing on covenant, historical dispensations, or social justice as a primary lens of interpretation.

Practical Applications

The principles reflected in Deuteronomy 31:10 can inform modern practices:

• Community Reflection: The communal aspect of reading the Law underscores the importance of shared values and collective remembrance of cultural and religious heritage.
• Debt Forgiveness: The Sabbatical year can inspire contemporary initiatives for economic justice, including debt relief and fair financial practices.
• Rest and Stewardship: The rest for the land during the Sabbatical year can be applied to modern concerns about environmental health and sustainable agriculture.

Cross-References

• Deuteronomy 15:1-2: “At the end of every seven years thou shalt make a release.”
• Leviticus 25:3-4: “Six years shalt thou sow thy field … But in the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land.”
• Exodus 23:10-11: “And six years thou shalt sow thy land, and shalt gather in the fruits thereof: But the seventh year thou shalt let it rest.”
• Nehemiah 8:1-3: “And all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street … and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the book of the law of Moses.”

Language Study

In the original Hebrew of Deuteronomy 31:10:

• “Commanded” (צווה – tzavah): This term implies authoritative instruction and is often used in the context of conveying divine orders.
• “At the end” (מקץ – miqetz): Literally meaning “from the end,” indicating a specific time period’s completion.
• “Seven years” (שבע שנים – sheva shanim): Seven is a number frequently associated with completeness and divine order in biblical literature.
• “Solemnity” (מועד – mo’ed): This term refers to an appointed time or festival, emphasizing the significance and sacred nature of the event.
• “Year of release” (שמטה – shmita): Meaning “release” or “letting go,” the word encapsulates the economic and social relief intended by this sabbatical year.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In comparing Deuteronomy 31:10 to other ancient myths and religious interpretations:

• Mesopotamian Traditions: Similar cyclical debt-release concepts are found in Mesopotamian ‘andurarum’ decrees.
• Jubilee in Leviticus 25: The Bible’s own concept of Jubilee expands on the Sabbatical year with a greater emphasis on liberation and restitution.
• Other Religious Texts: While not a direct comparison, Hinduism and Buddhism have their own cycles of time and prescribed actions, though with differing theological underpinnings.

Scientific Perspectives

From a scientific point of view, the practice of letting the land rest every seven years as implied in Deuteronomy 31:10 can be linked to sustainable agricultural practices known as “fallowing.” Allowing land to rest helps replenish nutrients, prevent soil erosion, and interrupt pest cycles. Modern agronomy supports the value of crop rotation and soil rest, affirming an ancient wisdom in the biblical text.

Commentaries

Various biblical scholars and commentaries offer interpretations of Deuteronomy 31:10:

• The Matthew Henry Commentary focuses on this directive ensuring that the knowledge of the law of God was to be universally diffused among all ranks and degrees in Israel.
• In the Geneva Study Bible notes, there’s an emphasis on practicing the reading of the Law at fixed times to prevent spiritual negligence and ensure obedience.
• The Jewish Study Bible comments on the socio-economic structure that the Sabbatical year underlines, asserting that these laws fostered an equitable society that counteracted the inevitable stratifications and inequalities that would emerge.