This document compares the structure of Deuteronomy to ancient Near Eastern suzerainty treaties from the Hittite kingdom in the 14th century BC. It outlines similarities between the preamble, historical prologue, stipulations, deposition and readings, witnesses, curses and blessings, and inaugural ceremonies found in these political treaties and the book of Deuteronomy. The conclusions are that Deuteronomy coherently explains Israel's special relationship with Yahweh as their lord and how God revealed himself and his kingdom culture through divine revelation rather than human social constructs.

1. Usual Outline of Deuteronomy
1-4 5-26 27-30 31-34
Sermon Sermon Sermon Closing
1 2 3 events

2. Hittite (New) Kingdom ca. 1340 BC

3. S-V Treaty compared to
Deuteronomy (part 1)
Preamble: identity of Exod 20:2a; Deut 1:1,5
the great king
Historical Prologue: Exod 20:2b; Deut 1:6, 9,
motivation to obey from 19, 26-28, 34ff
past benevolences
Stipulations: Exod 20:3; Deut 5:1;
obligations of the 6:1-2
vassal king

4. S-V Treaty compared to
Deuteronomy (part 2)
Provision for Deposit & Exod 25:16, 21; Deut 10:2;
Periodic Readings: 31:9-13, 26
continuity, stability
Invocation of the gods as Deut 32:1 cf. Isa. 1:2
witnesses: abiding
standard of justice
somewhere
Cursings & blessings: Lev 26; Deut 28
some sort of ethical
rationality to existence
Inaugural Ceremony: Exod 24; Josh 8:30-35; 24:1,
public recognition 14-15, 22-27.

5. Conclusions
Coherent exposition of the Yahweh-Israel personal
relationship
Revelation of Israel s special place in history
Revelation of God s condescension to enter into
a personal relationship with His creatures
Unilateral, not a parity, relationship 
lord / servant roles
Kingdom culture constructed by divine
providence & revelation, not from random social
dynamics
Example of how Word of God was taught