Deuteronomy 31:10-11
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This wasn't just a reminder; it was a strategic re-setting. By commanding the law to be read every seven years during the Feast of Booths, Moses ensured this foundational instruction wouldn't fade, but would be actively re-learned, especially by the younger generations, grounding them in God's way as they prepared to enter a new land.
And Moses commanded them, “At the end of every seven years, at the set time in the year of release, at the Feast of Booths, when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place that he will choose, you shall read this law before all Israel in their hearing.
English Standard Version (ESV)
As Moses prepares to leave the Israelites, he issues final instructions, entrusting the written Law to the Levites and elders. He then commands them to gather all the people every seven years, specifically during the Feast of Booths, to publicly reread the Law. This grand assembly is designed to ensure that everyone, including children and foreigners, hears and learns God's commands, so they might honor Him and obey His Word for generations to come.
Moses is about to hand over the leadership of Israel. Before he does, he sets up a vital ordinance.
Moses commands that the Law be read aloud every seven years, specifically during the Feast of Booths, which occurs in the "year of release."
Timing is Everything
This wasn't just any reading; it was deliberately timed:
By combining these, Moses ensured the reading of the Law wasn't just a dry recitation, but a deeply meaningful event, tied to Israel's past deliverance, present provision, and future hope in God.
Why a public reading of the Law every seven years? It was more than just a reminder; it was a vital act of legacy.
Moses’ command for a public reading of the Law served crucial purposes for the continuation of Israel's covenant relationship with God:
Keeping the Law Alive
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Understand the original words
shemittah · Hebrew Noun
A period of rest and cancellation of debts, particularly the seventh year. It symbolizes God’s provision, the equality of His people, and the recognition that the land belongs to Him.
sukkah · Hebrew Noun
A primary harvest festival of Israel, also called the Feast of Tabernacles. It commemorates God’s protection and provision for the Israelites during their wilderness wanderings, when they lived in temporary shelters.
Yahweh · Hebrew Proper Noun
In the Old Testament, the Hebrew name for God (YHWH) represents His personal, covenant-keeping character. It is the name He revealed to Moses, emphasizing His faithfulness to His promises and His presence with His people.
Torah · Hebrew Noun
The instruction, direction, or revelation from God, specifically referring to the Pentateuch in this context. It encompasses God’s moral, ceremonial, and civil requirements for Israel to maintain covenant relationship with Him.
This command for a public reading of the Law every seven years wasn't just a ritual; it was a vital way to ensure God's Word remained central to Israelite life, especially during the "year of release" when people were freed from debt and focused on spiritual renewal.
~1446 BC
Israel's Exodus from Egypt
Moses leads the Israelites out of slavery in Egypt, marking the beginning of their journey to the Promised Land and the establishment of God's law.
~1406 BC
Conquest and Division of Canaan
After years of wandering, the Israelites conquer and divide the Promised Land, finally settling in their inheritance. The observance of the sabbatic year and the public reading of the law would begin after this.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Moses' Final Instructions
As his life nears its end, Moses delivers his final messages and commands to the Israelites, including this directive for the public reading of the Law.
c. 1375 BC
Joshua's Leadership and Public Reading
Following Moses' death, Joshua leads Israel in conquering Canaan and observes the command to read the law publicly before all the people.
c. 872 BC
Jehoshaphat's Reforms
King Jehoshaphat sends out officials and priests to teach the law throughout Judah, fulfilling the spirit of the public reading ordinance.
c. 622 BC
Discovery of the Law during Josiah's Reign
The Book of the Law is found in the Temple during renovations, leading to a major spiritual revival under King Josiah. This suggests the public reading had been neglected for centuries.
c. 444 BC
Ezra's Public Reading of the Law
After the return from Babylonian exile, Ezra the scribe reads the Law to the assembled people in Jerusalem, re-establishing the practice.
This passage directly shows the fulfillment of Moses' command, with Joshua reading the Law to the assembled people, including women, children, and strangers, just as was ordained.
2 Chronicles 34:29-33This shows King Josiah following the same practice of assembling the people to hear the Law read during a time of national renewal, highlighting the enduring importance of public Scripture engagement.
Nehemiah 8:1-3Ezra the priest reads the Law to the people gathered in Jerusalem, mirroring the command in Deuteronomy and emphasizing the communal aspect of receiving God's word after the exile.
Luke 4:16-21Jesus stands in the synagogue and reads from Isaiah, applying the prophecy of the 'year of the Lord's favor' to Himself, echoing the spirit of solemn, appointed times for hearing Scripture.
calvinDeuteronomy 31:10-13: "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,"
Gather the people together, men, 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;
Congregando populum, viros, et mulieres, parvulos et peregrinos qui sunt intra portas tuas, ut audiant, et dis…
cambridgeDeuteronomy 31:10: "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,"
10 . At the end of every seven years … the year of release ] See Deuteronomy 15:1 ff. set time ] Heb. mo‘ed , in Deuteronomy 16:6 of a fixed hour of day; here as in Exodus 23:15 (see Dri.’s note) of a season fixed for a sacred festival; for another application see Deuteronomy 31:14 . the feast of Booths ] See Deuteronomy 16:13-15 .
This wasn't just a reminder; it was a strategic re-setting. By commanding the law to be read every seven years during the Feast of Booths, Moses ensured this foundational instruction wouldn't fade, but would be actively re-learned, especially by the younger generations, grounding them in God's way as they prepared to enter a new land.
As Moses prepares to leave the Israelites, he issues final instructions, entrusting the written Law to the Levites and elders. He then commands them to gather all the people every seven years, specifically during the Feast of Booths, to publicly reread the Law. This grand assembly is designed to ensure that everyone, including children and foreigners, hears and learns God's commands, so they might honor Him and obey His Word for generations to come.
As Moses prepares to leave the Israelites, he issues final instructions, entrusting the written Law to the Levites and elders. He then commands them to gather all the people every seven years, specifically during the Feast of Booths, to publicly reread the Law. This grand assembly is designed to ensure that everyone, including children and foreigners, hears and learns God's commands, so they might honor Him and obey His Word for generations to come.
"And Moses commanded them, “At the end of every seven years, at the set time in the year of release, at the Feast of Booths, when all Israel comes to appear before the LORD your God at the place that he will choose, you shall read this law…" — This wasn't just a reminder; it was a strategic re-setting. By commanding the law to be read every seven years during the Feast of Booths, Moses ensured this foundational instruction wouldn't fade, b…
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Last reviewed October 2026
