Context: Deuteronomy (Greek: "second law") records Moses' farewell speeches on the plains of Moab, shortly before his death and Israel's entry into Canaan. Structured as a second-millennium Hittite suzerainty treaty — historical prologue, stipulations, blessings and curses, document disposition — the book is the solemn renewal of the Sinai covenant for the new generation.

Theology: The heart of the book is the Shema Yisrael (6:4–9): "Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might" — which Jesus quoted as the greatest commandment (Mark 12:29–30). Love (ahavah) for God is not mere feeling but covenant loyalty that permeates all of existence.

Chapters 27–30 present the conditional blessings and curses tied to obedience or apostasy. Chapters 31–34 narrate the transfer of leadership to Joshua and Moses' death on Mount Nebo — he saw the promised land but did not enter. Jesus quoted Deuteronomy in all three wilderness temptations (Matt 4), revealing its centrality to biblical spirituality.