Deuteronomy (n.)

5th book of the Pentateuch, late 14c., Deutronomye (Wyclif), from Late Latin Deuteronomium, from Ecclesiastical Greek Deuteronomion, literally "second law," from deuteros "second" (see deutero-) + nomos "law" (from PIE root *nem- "assign, allot; take").

A mistranslation of Hebrew mishneh hattorah hazzoth "a copy of this law" [Deuteronomy xvii.18]. The book is a repetition, with comments, of the Decalogue and most of the laws of Exodus. The title was translated literally into Old English as æfteræ, literally "after-law" (see ae). Related: Deuteronomic; Deuteronomical.