Journal: Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society
Volume: JETS 66:4 (Dec 2023)
Article: Meredith G. Kline And The Apodosis Of Deuteronomy 30
Author: Peter Y. Lee

JETS 65:4 (December 2023) p. 647

Meredith G. Kline And The Apodosis Of Deuteronomy 30

Peter Y. Lee*

^* Peter Y. Lee is professor of Old Testament at Reformed Theological Seminary, Washington, DC, 8227 Old Courthouse Rd., Suite 300, Vienna, VA 22182. He may be contacted at [email protected].

Abstract: Deuteronomy 30, a proclamation of the new covenant, begins with a protasis-apodosis construction (“when … then”). The location of the apodosis has been unchallenged by translators and commentators, making repentance and obedience a prerequisite for reception of covenant blessings. Meredith Kline, in his course lectures, challenged this view and proposed an alternative syntactic location of the apodosis. In this new proposed relocation, repentance and obedience are not seen as a requirement to receive covenant blessings, but rather they are themselves covenant blessings. He supports his view by citing internal evidence within Deuteronomy 30, evidence within the book of Deuteronomy at large, and the latter prophets who cite this text frequently. Kline did not articulate this view in any of his publications. This article presents his comments to the academic community as a reasonable correction to the consensus view of Deuteronomy 30.

Key words: Deuteronomy, new covenant, apodosis, circumcision, heart, Meredith Kline, blessing, prophets

Meredith G. Kline was an Old Testament scholar with a commanding knowledge of the Hebrew Scriptures and the history of redemption.1 His insights into the biblical text often led him to challenge and refine numerous theological convictions. It also led him to contest traditional translations of key passages that had previously been unchallenged. Some of his suggestions bordered on creative imaginings.2 Others, however, made insightful contributions to our understanding of the Scriptures and the overall redemptive plan of God.3 Among the latter is his exegesis of Deuteronomy 30:1–14, where he offered an innovative yet astute interpretive and translational alternative. This new translation seems to have been a late development in his thought, as his earlier publications in Deuteronomy do not reflect this.4 Sadly, none of his other published works provide his complete exegetical

JETS 65:4 (December 2023) p. 648

analysis on this text; there are only hints ...