John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 9. And Moses wrote this law , etc.] The book of Deuteronomy, or the Pentateuch, the five books of Moses, which he had now finished, and which all of them together are sometimes called the law, ( Galatians 4:21); and delivered it unto the priests, the sons of Levi ; who were the teachers of the law, as Aben Ezra observes; (see Malachi 2:7); and therefore it was proper to put it into their hands, to instruct the people in it, and that the people might apply to them in any matter of difficulty, or when they wanted to have any particular law explained to them: which bare the ark of the covenant of the Lord ; for though they were the Levites, and particularly the Kohathites, who in journeying carried the ark; (see Numbers 4:5-15 10:21); yet sometimes it was borne by the priests; (see Joshua 3:13-17 6:6 1 Samuel 4:4); and unto all the elders of Israel ; the judges and civil magistrates in the respective tribes; for as there were in the book of the law several things which belonged to the priests to perform, and all of them they were to instruct in, so there were others which were to be the rule of judgment to judges, and all civil magistrates, and which they were to take care were put in execution; and therefore it was proper that they should have a copy of this law, and which must be here understood; for it cannot be thought that one and the same copy should be given both to the priests and to all the elders. The Jews say Moses wrote thirteen copies of the law, twelve for the twelve tribes, and one to be put into the ark, to convict of fraud or corruption, should any be made f555 .
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 9-13 - Though we read the word in private, we must not think it needless to hear it read in public. This solemn reading of the law must be done in the year of release. The year of release was typical of gospel grace which is called the acceptable year of the Lord; for our pardon an liberty by Christ, engage us to keep his commandments. It must be rea to all Israel, men, women, children, and to the strangers. It is the will of God that all people should acquaint themselves with his word It is a rule to all, therefore should be read to all. Whoever has rea of the pains taken by many persons to get scraps of the Scriptures when a whole copy could not be obtained, or safely possessed, will se how thankful we should be for the thousands of copies amongst us. The will also understand the very different situation in which the Israelites were placed for many ages. But the heart of man is s careless, that all will be found too little, to keep up a knowledge of the truths, precepts, and worship of God.
Original Hebrew ויכתב3789 משׁה4872 את853 התורה8451 הזאת2063 ויתנה5414 אל413 הכהנים3548 בני1121 לוי3878 הנשׂאים5375 את853 ארון727 ברית1285 יהוה3068 ואל413 כל3605 זקני2205 ישׂראל׃3478
