Deuteronomistic History

The Deuteronomistic History is a scholarly model that treats Deuteronomy through 2 Kings as a connected work shaped by shared language and theology, especially covenantal obedience and its consequences.

Martin Noth: Martin Noth was a German biblical scholar who proposed that Deuteronomy through Kings formed a unified historical work. His 1943 model established the Deuteronomistic History as a major scholarly hypothesis.
Book of Deuteronomy: The Book of Deuteronomy presents Moses’ final speeches and laws before Israel enters the promised land. Its vocabulary and covenantal outlook provide the history’s primary interpretive framework.
Deuteronomic formula: A Deuteronomic formula is a recurring biblical expression or judgment shaped by Deuteronomy’s vocabulary and theology. Repeated evaluations and warnings help identify the history’s shared editorial voice.
Cross and Freedman theory: The Cross and Freedman theory proposes two major editions of Deuteronomistic history, associated with Josiah and the exile. It challenges Noth’s single exilic edition by positing an earlier Josianic layer.
Book of Joshua: The Book of Joshua narrates Israel’s entry into Canaan and the allocation of land among the tribes. Its place at the history’s opening depends on whether the model begins with Deuteronomy or Joshua.
Deuteronomist: The Deuteronomist is the hypothesized author or editor responsible for Deuteronomic language and theology in biblical texts. The model attributes the connected history to one or more figures identified by this name.
Deuteronomic theology: Deuteronomic theology links Israel’s prosperity to covenantal obedience and disaster to disobedience. This pattern explains the history’s recurring judgments of rulers and national events.
Regnal formula: A regnal formula is a conventional account of a king’s reign, including its length, evaluation, and succession. These repeated summaries apply a consistent theological standard to Israelite and Judahite rulers.
Frank Moore Cross: Frank Moore Cross was an American biblical scholar who proposed a two-edition model of the Deuteronomistic History. His account made Josianic and exilic editorial layers central alternatives to Noth’s proposal.
Book of Judges: The Book of Judges recounts cycles of conflict and deliverance before Israel’s monarchy. Its cycles illustrate the history’s recurring account of disobedience, punishment, and rescue.

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