The traditional answer is: the Book of Deuteronomy was written by Moses , with the final section about his death likely added by a later inspired editor such as Joshua or another successor.

Who Wrote the Book of Deuteronomy?

Quick Scoop

If you ask “who wrote the Book of Deuteronomy?” you’ll get two big answers today:

  1. the ancient religious view, and
  2. the modern scholarly view.

Traditional Religious View (Jewish and Christian)

Most Jewish and many Christian traditions hold that:

  • Moses is the principal author of Deuteronomy and of the whole Torah (Genesis–Deuteronomy).
  • Deuteronomy presents itself as “the words Moses spoke to all Israel,” framing the book as his final sermons before Israel enters the Promised Land.
  • Ancient Jewish sources and early Christian thinkers routinely refer to the “Law of Moses,” assuming Mosaic authorship as the default.
  • The common explanation is that Moses wrote or dictated the main body of the book, and a later inspired figure (often suggested: Joshua, Eleazar, Samuel, or another editor) added the closing narrative about his death in Deuteronomy 34.

In short: in faith communities that follow traditional teaching, if you ask “who wrote the Book of Deuteronomy?” the answer is simply “Moses (with a later editor for the death scene).”

Modern Scholarly View

Most modern critical scholars answer the question very differently:

  • They reject single‑author Mosaic authorship , seeing the book as a later composition based on earlier traditions.
  • Deuteronomy is usually dated somewhere between the 7th and 5th centuries BCE , much later than the time Moses is traditionally placed.
  • Many scholars speak of a “Deuteronomist” or Deuteronomistic school —likely Levite or priestly writers—who shaped the book in light of Israel’s political and religious struggles (including reforms in Jerusalem).
  • They point to repetitions, stylistic differences, and historical perspective in the text as signs of later authorship and editing.

So in university or critical academic circles, the answer to “who wrote Deuteronomy?” is usually: an anonymous group of later writers/editors (often called the Deuteronomist), not Moses himself.

A Few Nuanced Points People Debate

Because this is a hot topic in Bible forums and study groups, some nuanced ideas often show up:

  • Mixed view: Some believers accept that Moses is the core source (his speeches, laws, and covenant framework) but also allow for later editing and shaping , including updates, explanatory notes, and the obituary in chapter 34.
  • Authorship vs. authority: In many faith discussions, the emphasis is less on who physically wrote every sentence and more on whether the teaching and law ultimately come from God through Moses , even if later scribes arranged or preserved them.
  • Historical context: Critical scholars tie Deuteronomy closely to later reforms in ancient Judah, arguing that the book’s strong centralization of worship and covenant language fits the politics and theology of those later centuries.

How People Talk About It Online (Forum‑Style Snapshot)

If you scroll through current Bible forums, Q&A sites, or study blogs, you’ll see something like this mix:

“Deuteronomy clearly presents itself as Moses’ farewell speech, so I take Moses as the real author and someone like Joshua as adding the last chapter.”

“Critical scholarship sees Deuteronomy as a product of the Deuteronomistic school centuries after Moses, reflecting later religious reforms.”

“For me, the question isn’t whether Moses held the pen; it’s whether the book faithfully preserves God’s covenant message through Moses, however it was compiled.”

So the online “latest discussion” isn’t about new data in 2026, but about an ongoing debate between traditional faith claims and historical‑critical analysis that’s been active for over two centuries.

One-Line Takeaway

  • In traditional Judaism and Christianity, Moses wrote Deuteronomy (with a final editor for his death).
  • In most modern academic scholarship, unknown later authors/editors (the “Deuteronomist”) produced the book between the 7th–5th centuries BCE.

Bottom note: Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.