In some Jewish traditions, 'Deuteronomy' is the first book of scripture taught to children.

It presents the law of Moses as a coherent whole, including material from Exodus, Leviticus and Numbers.

Deuteronomy is as much about encouragement as about rules, and is full of guidance, help and exhortation. This is stressed repeatedly with phrases more appropriate to the pulpit than the law court, such as 'hear', 'observe', 'love' and 'obey'.

For Christians, Deuteronomy is one of the three books most quoted in the New Testament, along with Psalms and Isaiah. Studying it is a key part of seeing how the Bible fits together as a whole, and how the Old Testament lays a theological basis for Christian faith.