Book of the Torah · Devarim (דְּבָרִים)
Deuteronomy (Devarim): The Fifth Book of the Torah
Deuteronomy — Hebrew Sefer Devarim (דְּבָרִים, "words") — is the fifth and final book of the Torah, framed almost entirely as Moses' farewell discourses to Israel on the plains of Moab, in which he reviews the wilderness journey, restates the law, and exhorts loyalty to the covenant before his death.
The weekly portions of Deuteronomy
Names, Meaning, and Place in the Torah
Deuteronomy is the fifth and final book of the Torah (Chumash). Its Hebrew name, Sefer Devarim (דְּבָרִים, "words"), comes from its opening phrase, "These are the words" (eleh ha-devarim). The book is also known as Mishneh Torah ("Repetition" or "Second of the Torah"), a phrase drawn from Deuteronomy 17:18 — and it is this title that yields the Greek-derived English name "Deuteronomy," meaning roughly "second law." The name is apt: rather than narrating a sequence of new events, Deuteronomy is cast as a series of farewell speeches delivered by Moses to the Israelites east of the Jordan, in the final weeks of his life before the people enter the Promised Land. In them, Moses reviews the 40-year wilderness journey, restates and expands the law (including a second telling of the Ten Commandments), and presses the people toward covenant loyalty. It is often described as Moses' "last will and testament."
Structure, Themes, and Key Passages
Deuteronomy contains 34 chapters and is traditionally divided into 11 weekly Torah portions (parshiyot): Devarim, Va'etchanan, Eikev, Re'eh, Shoftim, Ki Teitzei, Ki Tavo, Nitzavim, Vayeilech, Ha'azinu, and V'zot HaBerachah. Scholars note that the book's overall shape mirrors ancient Near Eastern (Hittite-style) suzerainty/covenant treaties, with a historical prologue, stipulations, provisions for public reading, blessings and curses, and witnesses (heaven and earth). Its great theme is monotheism and exclusive loyalty to God: Deuteronomy contains the Shema ("Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One," 6:4) and the command to love God "with all your heart, soul, and might." Running alongside this are recurring calls to protect the vulnerable — the widow, orphan, stranger (ger), and Levite — to remember the Exodus, and to transmit the law to future generations. Memorable passages include the restated Ten Commandments (ch. 5), the blessings and curses recited on Mounts Gerizim and Ebal (ch. 27–28), the Song of Moses (Ha'azinu, ch. 32), Moses' final blessing of the tribes (ch. 33), and Moses' death on Mount Nebo at age 120 (ch. 34) — the verses that close the Torah. The book is also the direct source of foundational Jewish practices, including the daily recitation of the Shema, tefillin and mezuzah (from 6:8–9), and grace after meals (birkat hamazon).
Hear and Practice Devarim with Trope on TropeTrainer
Every weekly portion in Deuteronomy is chanted publicly with trope — the system of cantillation marks (te'amim) that sets the melody and phrasing of the Torah text. TropeTrainer lets you hear and practice all 11 parshiyot of this book with trope, from Devarim through V'zot HaBerachah, so you can prepare a reading at your own pace and learn the melodies by ear. Whether you are preparing a bar or bat mitzvah portion, sharpening your skills as a Torah reader, or simply studying the text, you can listen to each verse, slow it down, and repeat sections until the chant feels natural. Note that cantillation melodies and certain reading customs vary by community and rite (for example, Ashkenazi and Sephardi traditions differ), so confirm the specific melody and pronunciation used by your congregation.
Frequently asked questions
What is Deuteronomy (Devarim)?
Deuteronomy, in Hebrew Sefer Devarim, is the fifth and final book of the Torah. It is framed almost entirely as a series of farewell speeches delivered by Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab before they cross the Jordan into the Promised Land. In these discourses Moses reviews the 40-year wilderness journey, restates and expands the law (including a second telling of the Ten Commandments), warns against idolatry, and urges loyalty to the covenant. The book ends with his final blessings and his death on Mount Nebo at age 120.
What does Deuteronomy (Devarim) mean?
The Hebrew name Devarim means "words," taken from the book's opening phrase, "These are the words" (eleh ha-devarim). The book is also called Mishneh Torah, "Repetition" or "Second of the Torah" (from Deuteronomy 17:18), because much of it restates earlier law and narrative. The English title "Deuteronomy" comes from the Greek for "second law," reflecting that same idea of a retelling.
How do you pronounce Deuteronomy (Devarim)?
In English, Deuteronomy is pronounced "dew-ter-ON-uh-mee" (stress on the third syllable, "ron"). The Hebrew name Devarim is commonly pronounced "deh-vah-REEM," with the stress on the final syllable, as is typical in Hebrew. Pronunciation of Hebrew can vary by community and rite, so check the custom used in your congregation.
How many chapters and Torah portions are in Deuteronomy?
Deuteronomy has 34 chapters and is traditionally divided into 11 weekly Torah portions (parshiyot): Devarim, Va'etchanan, Eikev, Re'eh, Shoftim, Ki Teitzei, Ki Tavo, Nitzavim, Vayeilech, Ha'azinu, and V'zot HaBerachah. In practice, the way these portions fall across the calendar can vary by year and by community — some weeks combine portions (such as Nitzavim and Vayeilech), so the effective number read on a given Shabbat may differ.
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