Deuteronomy 31:9-13

Deuteronomy 31:9-13

[9] And Moses  wrote  this law,  and delivered  it unto the priests  the sons  of Levi,  which bare  the ark  of the covenant  of the LORD,  and unto all the elders  of Israel.  [10] 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,  [11] When all Israel  is come  to appear  before  the LORD  thy God  in the place  which he shall choose,  thou shalt read  this law  before all Israel  in their hearing.  [12] the people  together,  and women,  and children,  and thy stranger  that is within thy gates,  that they may hear,  and that they may learn,  and fear  the LORD  your God,  and observe  to do  all the words  of this law:  [13] And that their children,  which have not known  any thing, may hear,  and learn  to fear  the LORD  your God,  as long as  ye live  in the land  whither ye go over  Jordan  to possess  it.

What does Deuteronomy 31:9-13 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

"Moses assigned the priests and elders the duty of regularly republishing the law of the covenant. The effect of this was to associate the priests and elders with Joshua in the responsibility of rule and in the esteem of Israel. More important, all the covenant people, together with all human authorities in the covenant community, were placed under the lordship of the Giver of the law." [1]
Before he died, Moses left a written document with the leaders of the nation that the Israelites regarded as God"s law ( Deuteronomy 31:9, cf. Joshua 1:8). This probably refers to Moses" exposition of the law (chs5-26), though the exact meaning of the "law" (torah, instruction, Deuteronomy 31:9; Deuteronomy 31:24) here is not clear.
The national leaders were to read this law to the whole nation every seventh (sabbatical) year at the Feast of Booths (Tabernacles). This reading would remind and instruct God"s people concerning His gracious will for them. It was common in other ancient Near Eastern countries for the priests to assemble the people periodically and read them the king"s covenant (cf. Deuteronomy 16:13-17).