Deuteronomy

Mid-levelBusy pastors, Pastors-in-trainingStrong recommendation
Bible Book: Deuteronomy
Publisher: Zondervan
Theological Perspective: Broadly Evangelical
Resource Type: Commentary
Last updated: February 5, 2026
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Evaluation

Overall Score: 8.2/10

A weighty, pastor facing Deuteronomy commentary that strengthens preaching through covenant clarity.

Publication Date(s): 2012
Pages: 880
ISBN: 9780310210481
Faithfulness to the Text: 8.7/10
We find careful attention to Deuteronomy’s argument and pastoral intent, with a steady commitment to reading the book as covenant exhortation.
Christ Centredness: 7.8/10
Block does not always frame conclusions in explicitly Reformed redemptive historical terms, but he often supports Christward preaching by pressing covenant themes that find fulfilment in Christ.
Depth of Insight: 8.6/10
We are helped by sustained theological synthesis and by clear engagement with the book’s repeated emphases.
Clarity of Writing: 8/10
Readable for its size, with a preacher’s instinct for the book’s pastoral pressure.
Pastoral Usefulness: 8.6/10
Strong help for preaching and teaching Deuteronomy, especially in guiding application without flattening the text.
Readability: 7.6/10
A large volume, but consistently usable in preparation.

Summary

At a Glance

Length
880 pages
Type
Application
Theo. Perspective
Broadly Evangelical
Overall score
8.2 / 10
Strength
Strong grasp of Deuteronomy’s pastoral aim and covenant logic.
Limitation
Best paired with a more technical work for language detail and a more confessional work for fuller synthesis.

We find Daniel I. Block’s Deuteronomy in the NIV Application Commentary series a weighty and pastorally alert treatment of Moses’ preaching. Block helps us hear Deuteronomy as covenant summons, pressing the heart as well as the mind, and he keeps the book’s call to love the Lord with whole life seriousness.

The volume serves us well because it refuses to treat Deuteronomy as a mere law code. It traces argument, repeated themes, and covenant logic, then moves toward contemporary significance with restraint and moral clarity. For those preaching Deuteronomy, it is a substantial ally.

Why Should I Own This Commentary?

We should own this commentary if we want help preaching Deuteronomy as living Scripture for the church. It assists us in handling long speeches, complex legal sections, and the book’s repeated pastoral aim, that God’s people would worship with undivided hearts.

We also benefit from Block’s clear theological instincts. Even where we will want to phrase matters with more explicitly Reformed categories, the volume is pastorally safe and often deeply strengthening for faithful proclamation.

It works best alongside a more technical commentary for language detail, and alongside a more directly redemptive historical resource for fuller Christward synthesis.

Closing Recommendation

We recommend this as one of the stronger NIV Application Commentary volumes, a serious, preacher facing resource for Deuteronomy.

As pastoral next steps, we can go to the Bible Book Overview for Deuteronomy, browse Top Recommendations, and consult the Reformed Commentary Index to build a balanced shelf for preaching.


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Classification

  • Level: Mid-level
  • Best For: Busy pastors, Pastors-in-training
  • Priority: Strong recommendation

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