Comparison of Bible verse Deuteronomy - Essay Example

You’re Name Professor Course 16 July 2006 Comparison of Bible Verse ‘Deuteronomy 6: 4-9 The chapter of Deuteronomy (6: 4-9) in the Holy Bible has lead to many questions for some people about its true meaning. For some Christians the confusion arises out of the time period in which this section of the bible was written and this particular verse in itself. Also, different versions of the bible word this section of Deuteronomy in various ways which this research defines as being true. For instance, there were five different versions of the bible utilized to compare the Chapter of Deuteronomy (6:4-9). Some were very similar while others varied more so than ones such as King James and the New Testament. The bibles that were utilized in this research were as follows: The Blue Letter Bible, New King James Version , The American Bible, The Holy Bible: New International Version, and the Old King James Version. Since much of the writing found within any biblical texts seems to speak in parables I am including my own interpretation of the meaning of this verse in Deuteronomy so that it can be clearly shown what my perception is. My personal paraphrase is in the following indented paragraph below. Country of Israel, open your ears and listen intently, the Lord is one Lord the people of Israel shall love the lord with all their heart, with their soul and the strength that they have within them. These words which the countrymen of Israel hear shall be marked upon their hearts and they shall be taught to all of the children and the words of the Lord shall be openly discussed within their houses on a daily basis. This shall be done upon rising, before meals, when interacting with others, and upon resting in the evenings as well. The people of Israel shall know them so well that they shall appear as a mark upon their hands and in their minds they shall be embedded in their memory so as they speak of them they can vividly see the words before their eyes. And your neighbors shall know of your devoutness to the Lord through your own Testimony that shall mark your home as signs along the fence posts. The time period in which this Chapter of the bible was written was clearly one of limited technology but was filled with a strong religious faith. Furthermore, many theologians have stated that it is not totally clear when Deuteronomy was actually written as it appears to be more of an oral account as many historians have stated that some of it has appeared to be missing or never written at all. However to try and provide more accuracy on a date many claim that it had to have been written some time in the era of 1000 B.C. (ACVCC 2005). During this period of time the laws were seemingly barbaric as the law was followed strictly as it was prophesized, for example, the idea “eye for an eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, and foot for foot” (Chapter 19, Verse 15) all took place and crimes that were carried out that involved any of these body parts or limbs were plucked out if it was the eye and if it was an extremity then they were cut off, so as was said it was a rather barbaric and gruesome period to live in. The law was established so that those who were wronged in a certain way deserved to have restitution in the same way that it occurred to them. The Government during this period, with regard to trade and other economic entities was growing vast. It was a time of a lot of free trade and in fact Babylon had become a commercial center for other parts of the civilized world, as history defines of course (Merriam Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary 2003). It was also a period when the governmental laws were being questioned as to what was morally and ethically right as well with a lot of attention placed on how the laws should be carried out in society. Some historians claim that Deuteronomy was the first doctrine which sought to bring a new sense to the laws with a formality that had not existed previously (ACVCC 2005). With regard to the geographic area, it seems that the land was known as “The Land of Promise” due to the fact that it was compiled in a time where much of the land where the Israelites had been living was near the crossing of the River Jordan and the Maobe dessert (USCCB 2006). With regard to who wrote Deuteronomy, it is again unclear as some historians claim that it had to have been written following the death of Moses and others state that some of it was compiled through his verbal teachings and then written later (USCCB 2006). Through a series of discourses history defines that it was Moses intent to keep the theme of a religious covenant among the people. He utilized their past triumphs, historic mission, and the promises towards a better future to enforce the Lord’s law among them and to maintain their obedience, loyalty and love to the Lord (USCCB 2006). So, as was stated there was still a huge amount of influence through the bible’s religious teachings. The true perception is that Moses did write the Deuteronomic laws and it was placed beside the Ark of the Covenant (31:9, 24-26). Moses was thought to also have spoken to followers of the Lord about these laws many times as well as the laws that were written by Abraham (The Ten Commandments). However, as has been said there is no historical proof that Moses did indeed write the whole book of Deuteronomy as religious history has shown that this book was renewed in the time of Joshua, but it never states that it was completely finished, rather it defines that the laws were written and then it had been placed away. The major theme of the book of Deuteronomy is about serving the Lord and being faithful to him. My passage clearly relates to the main theme of the book because the majority of Deuteronomy is discussing serving the Lord faithfully and with openness, of course along with many laws that were required to be followed by the people as well. It is basically a book about old laws and what structure of law the disciples of the Lord were meant to follow. The Ten commandments was a part of Deuteronomy, and had a strong influence over the writing of the book as there were similar laws like the Ten Commandments apparent in this fifth book that makes up the Holy Bible. Clearly this book is discussing that those who love the lord and worship him should make it known to others without fear. They should speak of the lord openly and share his praise and worship with others that might be confused or lost. It is also about bringing formalcy to people in regards to how they should interact with one another socially, and with correctness. Some historians have claimed that the book of Deuteronomy was the first to ever bring a sway in the public laws that existed during the era it was uncovered. It was also stated that the laws that were written in the book of Deuteronomy were not all meant to be taken literally such as the law of “eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth, etc.” These were just examples given to show that law should be followed and if it was not there would be punishment that would incur but this did not necessarily mean that such violence was meant to occur, only a punishment that was humane but which would fit what crime was committed. Nevertheless, many law makers in the time era did take many of the laws to heart and did indeed have barbaric punishments for those who committed crime. This is what elicited the idea of savagery in some people’s minds about the history of the time period and how the laws were made such as stoning, removal of digits, removal of eyes, etc (ACVCC 2005). It could be interpreted to be an extremely immoral and difficult time for many people to live with such harsh ruling but it was a part of history that did take place. The two words from Deuteronomy which are stated throughout the Holy Bible quite intermittently are decree’s and commands. I believe that these words were not mean to bring fear to the people and cause them to fear the Lord but instead they were meant to draw their attention and lead them to correctly learn how they should live their lives. In the Ten Commandments the same two words are found, and in many other parts of the holy bible these same two words are found showing that the Lord was not trying to control the people but yearned for them to recognize the commands of the Lord and the decree’s so that they could grow and flourish in a Christian light and love the Lord. When the bible speaks of commands it is not so much commanding anyone to do anything but willing them to follow a law designed for the better good of humanity. The same with decree’s, these are simply words that have been decreed down from the Lord to prophets and it is the will of the Lord that his followers should open their ears and hear this words and learn and grow from them. This is my own personal reasoning on these two words and how detrimental they are in a Christian’s life according to religious teachings. These same words are in Genesis and they can be found in Exodus as well which shows that the Lord was guiding and teaching the people to follow his words and live by them willfully and with honor and to share his commands and decree’s with people throughout the world. Again, this is my interpretation of these words and I do feel that they are highly correct in their meaning. I truly believe that this passage affects me in my life in many ways. For many years I have enjoyed talking of the Lord and his teachings and have attended many different churches. For me personally the passage brings the true will of the Lord into my life and urges me to share in the faith of Christians. It is hard to put into actual words how a text such as this affects a person but basically it can even lead into the morals and values of life and knowing what is right and wrong and sharing these with people as well. In fact I do believe that this is the goal of this specific book in the bible, to bring understanding and faith to ones life but to live morally right under God’s laws as well. Works Cited ACVCC. (2005). “The Development of the Concept of Law.” [online] Available from: http://www.acvcc.state.al.us/asads/conceptoflaw.htm Merriam-Webster’s 11th Collegiate Dictionary. (2003). Deuteronomy. New York: Merriam Webster Incorporated Publication. New American Bible. (2006). “Deuteronomy.” [online] Available from: http://www.nccbuscc.org/nab/bible/deuteronomy/intro.htm Read More