What Does Deuteronomy 31:24 Mean in the King James?

And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,

Deuteronomy 31:24 · KJV

The analysis reads the King James wording.

King James Version The King James Version, first published in 1611. Selah Verse shows the standard text.

THE KEY

What is called “law” here carries the root-sense of instruction that points a way, and writing preserves that direction beyond the moment of speech.

THE MEANING

Instruction reaches completion in a form that can be held and revisited. Its written words remain present, able to direct the reader now.

THE ROOT

הַתּוֹרָה

ha-torah

GROWS FROM

י־ר־ה

y-r-h

To throw or point; in its teaching form, to direct or instruct.

The word rendered “law” is ⁨תּוֹרָה⁩ (torah, instruction), from ⁨יָרָה⁩ (yarah, to point or direct; in its teaching form, to instruct). The root makes the written text directional: its words are complete on the page and continue to point the reader.

ALSO GROWS

yarah: To throw, point, or direct; to teach or instruct.

יָרָה

The root carries direction in the sense of pointing, giving the instruction here the feel of guidance that points a way.

moreh: Teacher or instructor.

מוֹרֶה

The same root names one who directs through teaching, showing the active guidance carried by the written instruction.

torah: Instruction.

תּוֹרָה

This is the word in the verse; its written form keeps its guiding function available to the reader.

לִכְתֹּב

likhtov

GROWS FROM

כ־ת־ב

k-t-b

To write or inscribe.

The same root appears in the act of writing, in script, and in a written message. Writing gives instruction a visible, keepable form, so its direction remains available after the moment of speech.

ALSO GROWS

katav: To write or inscribe.

כָּתַב

This is the root verb behind “writing”; it names the act that makes the instruction visible.

ketav: Writing or script.

כְּתָב

The same root names the written marks themselves, showing how spoken instruction takes a visible form.

mikhtav: Written message or letter.

מִכְתָּב

The root also names a message preserved in writing, something that can be kept and read later.

THE PATTERN

Writing carries instruction beyond the moment of speaking by preserving it as a readable witness.

And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.

Habakkuk 2:2 · KJVThe vision is written plainly so that its message can be read and carried forward.

Now go, write it before them in a table, and note it in a book, that it may be for the time to come for ever and ever:

Isaiah 30:8 · KJVThe written record keeps the words available beyond the moment they are first spoken.

Write the things which thou hast seen, and the things which are, and the things which shall be hereafter;

Revelation 1:19 · KJVWriting holds what is seen and what is unfolding in a form that remains available to readers.

THE THREAD

And Moses wrote all the words of the LORD, and rose up early in the morning, and builded an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Israel.

Exodus 24:4 · KJV

Both verses use ⁨כָּתַב⁩ (katav, to write or inscribe): writing carries words into a form that can be kept. Here, the written instruction reaches completion; in Exodus, the same act sets the words down.

Read the SDV Bible.

Every verse has a Deep Dive in the app.

Get Selah Verse

The iPhone Bible app with the Selah Decoded Version.

Does something in this reading look wrong? Tell us