Deuteronomy 34
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Commentaries
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MOSES FROM MOUNT NEBO VIEWS THE LAND. (Deu 34:1-12) Moses went up from the plains of Moab--This chapter appears from internal evidence to have been written subsequently to the death of Moses, and it probably formed, at one time, an introduction to the Book of Joshua. unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah--literally, the head or summit of the Pisgah; that is, the height (compare Num 23:14; Deu 3:17-27; Deu 4:49). The general name given to the whole mountain range east of Jordan, was Abarim (compare Deu 32:49), and the peak to which Moses ascended was dedicated to the heathen Nebo, as Balaam's standing place had been consecrated to Peor. Some modern travellers have fixed on Jebel Attarus, a high mountain south of the Jabbok (Zurka), as the Nebo of this passage [BURCKHARDT, SEETZEN, &c.]. But it is situated too far north for a height which, being described as "over against Jericho," must be looked for above the last stage of the Jordan. the Lord showed him all the land of Gilead--That pastoral region was discernible at the northern extremity of the mountain line on which he stood, till it ended, far beyond his sight in Dan. Westward, there were on the horizon, the distant hills of "all Naphtali." Coming nearer, was "the land of Ephraim and Manasseh." Immediately opposite was "all the land of Judah," a title at first restricted to the portion of this tribe, beyond which were "the utmost sea" (the Mediterranean) and the Desert of the "South." These were the four great marks of the future inheritance of his people, on which the narrative fixes our attention. Immediately below him was "the circle" of the plain of Jericho, with its oasis of palm trees; and far away on his left, the last inhabited spot before the great desert "Zoar." The foreground of the picture alone…
Open source ↗And Moses went up from the plains of Moab,.... Where the Israelites had lain encamped for some time, and where Moses had repeated to them the law, and all that, is contained in this book of Deuteronomy; and after he had read to them the song in Deu 32:1; and had blessed the several tribes, as in the preceding chapter: at the command of God he went up from hence: unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho; Nebo was one of the mountains of Abarim, which formed a ridge of them, and Pisgah was the highest point of Nebo, and this was over against Jericho on the other side Jordan, see Deu 32:49; hither Moses went, to the top of this high mountain, for aught appears, without any support or help, his natural force not being abated, though an hundred and twenty years old; and hither he seems to have gone alone, though Josephus (p) and the Samaritan Chronicle (q) say, Eleazar, Joshua, and the elders of Israel accompanied him: and the Lord showed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan; the Word of the Lord, as the Targum of Jonathan, who appeared to him in the bush, sent him to Egypt, wrought miracles by him there, led him and the people of Israel through the Red sea and wilderness, and brought them to the place where they now were: and though the eye of Moses was not become dim, as was usual at such an age he was of, yet it can hardly be thought it should be so strong as to take a distinct view of the whole land of Canaan, to the utmost borders of it: no doubt but his natural sight was wonderfully strengthened and increased by the Lord, by whom he was directed first to behold the land of Gilead on that side of Jordan where he was, and which was the possession of the two tribes of Reuben and Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh; and then he was dire…
Open source ↗And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan, After blessing the people, Moses ascended Mount Nebo, according to the command of God (Deu 32:48-51), and there the Lord showed him, in all its length and breadth, that promised land into which he was not to enter. From Nebo, a peak of Pisgah, which affords a very extensive prospect on all sides, he saw the land of Gilead, the land to the east of the Jordan as far as Dan, i.e., not Laish-Dan near the central source of the Jordan (Jdg 18:27), which did not belong to Gilead, but a Dan in northern Peraea, which has not yet been discovered (see at Gen 14:14); and the whole of the land on the west of the Jordan, Canaan proper, in all its different districts, namely, "the whole of Naphtali," i.e., the later Galilee on the north, "the land of Ephraim and Manasseh" in the centre, and "the whole of the land of Judah," the southern portion of Canaan, in all its breadth, "to the hinder (Mediterranean) sea" (see Deu 11:24); also "the south land" (Negeb: see at Num 13:17), the southern land of steppe towards the Arabian desert, and "the valley of the Jordan" (see Gen 13:10), i.e., the deep valley from Jericho the palm-city (so called from the palms which grew there, in the valley of the Jordan: Jdg 1:16; Jdg 3:13; Ch2 28:15) "to Zoar" at the southern extremity of the Dead Sea (see at Gen 19:22). This sight of every part of the land on the east and west was not an ecstatic vision, but a sight with the bodily eyes, whose natural power of vision was miraculously increased by God, to give Moses a glimpse at least of the glorious land which he was not to tread, and delight his eye with a view of the inheritance…
Open source ↗Here is, I. Moses climbing upwards towards heaven, as high as the top of Pisgah, there to die; for that was the place appointed, Deu 32:49, Deu 32:50. Israel lay encamped upon the flat grounds in the plains of Moab, and thence he went up, according to order, to the mountain of Nebo, to the highest point or ridge of that mountain, which was called Pisgah, Deu 32:1. Pisgah is an appellative name for all such eminences. It should seem, Moses went up alone to the top of Pisgah, alone without help - a sign that his natural force was not abated when on the last day of his life he could walk up to the top of a high hill without such supporters as once he had when his hands were heavy (Exo 17:12), alone without company. When he had made an end of blessing Israel, we may suppose, he solemnly took leave of Joshua, and Eleazar, and the rest of his friends, who probably brought him to the foot of the hill; but then he gave them such a charge as Abraham gave to his servants at the foot of another hill: Tarry you here while I go yonder and die: they must not see him die, because they must not know of his sepulchre. But, whether this were so or not, he went up to the top of Pisgah, 1. To show that he was willing to die. When he knew the place of his death, he was so far from avoiding it that he cheerfully mounted a steep hill to come at it. Note, Those that through grace are well acquainted with another world, and have been much conversant with it, need not be afraid to leave this. 2. To show that he looked upon death as his ascension. The soul of a man, of a good man, when it leaves the body, goes upwards (Ecc 3:21), in conformity to which motion of the soul, the body of Moses shall go along with it as far upwards as its earth will carry it. When God's servants are sent for out of th…
Open source ↗34:1-12 Moses fell short of entry into the land of promise (see study note on 32:51), but God did permit him to share a moment of glory in the land at Jesus’ transfiguration (Luke 9:28-36). 34:1 Mount Nebo is a high elevation in the Abarim hills east of the Jordan River. Virtually the whole land west of the Jordan can be seen from this vantage point (32:49). • Nebo was part of Pisgah Peak (see study note on 3:17). • Gilead as far as Dan was the northernmost part of the land. The Sea of Galilee and Mount Hermon lie straight north from Nebo. Gilead is just east of the sea, and Dan (Laish; Judg 18:29) was south and west of Hermon.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… עֲרָבָה (ʻărâbâh, H6160) — a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the… מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) נְבוֹ (Nᵉbôw, H5015) — Nebo, the name of a Babylonian deity, also of a mountain in Moab, and of a place in… רֹאשׁ (rôʼsh, H7218) — the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of… פִּסְגָּה (Piçgâh, H6449) — Pisgah, a Mountain East of Jordan פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… יְרִיחוֹ (Yᵉrîychôw, H3405) — Jericho or Jerecho, a place in Palestine יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) גִּלְעָד (Gilʻâd, H1568) — Gilad, a region East of the Jordan; also the name of three Israelites
Open source ↗נַפְתָּלִי (Naphtâlîy, H5321) — Naphtali, a son of Jacob, with the tribe descended from him, and its territory אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) אֶפְרַיִם (ʼEphrayim, H669) — Ephrajim, a son of Joseph; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory מְנַשֶּׁה (Mᵉnashsheh, H4519) — Menashsheh, a grandson of Jacob, also the tribe descended from him, and its territory יְהוּדָה (Yᵉhûwdâh, H3063) — Jehudah (or Judah), the name of five Israelites; also of the tribe descended from the… אַחֲרוֹן (ʼachărôwn, H314) — hinder; generally, late or last; specifically (as facing the east) western יָם (yâm, H3220) — a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the…
Open source ↗נֶגֶב (negeb, H5045) — the south (from its drought); specifically, the Negeb or southern district of Judah,… כִּכָּר (kikkâr, H3603) — a circle, i.e. (by implication) a circumjacent tract or region, especially the Ghor or… בִּקְעָה (biqʻâh, H1237) — properly, a split, i.e. a wide level valley between mountains יְרִיחוֹ (Yᵉrîychôw, H3405) — Jericho or Jerecho, a place in Palestine עִיר (ʻîyr, H5892) — a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere… תָּמָר (tâmâr, H8558) — a palm tree עִיר הַתְּמָרִים (ʻÎyr hat-Tᵉmârîym, H5899) — Ir-hat-Temarim, a place in Palestine צֹעַר (Tsôʻar, H6820) — Tsoar, a place East of the Jordan
Open source ↗יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) שָׁבַע (shâbaʻ, H7650) — to seven oneself, i.e. swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times) אַבְרָהָם (ʼAbrâhâm, H85) — Abraham, the later name of Abram יִצְחָק (Yitschâq, H3327) — Jitschak (or Isaac), son of Abraham יַעֲקֹב (Yaʻăqôb, H3290) — Jaakob, the Israelitish patriarch נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) זֶרַע (zeraʻ, H2233) — seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity רָאָה (râʼâh, H7200) — to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied,… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) עָבַר (ʻâbar, H5674) — to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive,…
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מוּת (mûwth, H4191) — to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants פֶּה (peh, H6310) — the mouth (as the means of blowing), whether literal or figurative (particularly speech);…
Open source ↗קָבַר (qâbar, H6912) — to inter גַּיְא (gayʼ, H1516) — a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent) אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants מוּל (mûwl, H4136) — properly, abrupt, i.e. a precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially… בֵּית פְּעוֹר (Bêyth Pᵉʻôwr, H1047) — Beth-Peor, a place East of the Jordan אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… קְבוּרָה (qᵉbûwrâh, H6900) — sepulture; (concretely) a sepulchre יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to…
Open source ↗מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… מָוֶת (mâveth, H4194) — death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades);… עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) כָּהָה (kâhâh, H3543) — to be weak, i.e. (figuratively) to despond (causatively, rebuke), or (of light, the eye)… לֵחַ (lêach, H3893) — freshness, i.e. vigor נוּס (nûwç, H5127) — to flit, i.e. vanish away (subside, escape; causatively, chase, impel, deliver)
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity בָּכָה (bâkâh, H1058) — to weep; generally to bemoan מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver עֲרָבָה (ʻărâbâh, H6160) — a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the… מוֹאָב (Môwʼâb, H4124) — Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants שְׁלוֹשִׁים (shᵉlôwshîym, H7970) — thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth יוֹם (yôwm, H3117) — a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to… בְּכִי (Bᵉkîy, H1065) — a weeping; by analogy, a dripping אֵבֶל (ʼêbel, H60) — lamentation תָּמַם (tâmam, H8552) — to complete, in a good or a bad sense, literal, or figurative, transitive or intransitive
Open source ↗יְהוֹשׁוּעַ (Yᵉhôwshûwaʻ, H3091) — Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… נוּן (Nûwn, H5126) — Nun or Non, the father of Joshua מָלֵא (mâlêʼ, H4392) — full (literally or figuratively) or filling (literally); also (concretely) fulness;… רוּחַ (rûwach, H7307) — wind; by resemblance breath, i.e. a sensible (or even violent) exhalation; figuratively,… חׇכְמָה (chokmâh, H2451) — wisdom (in a good sense) מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver סָמַךְ (çâmak, H5564) — to prop (literally or figuratively); reflexively, to lean upon or take hold of (in a… יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God צָוָה (tsâvâh, H6680) — (intensively) to constitute, enjoin
Open source ↗קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) נָבִיא (nâbîyʼ, H5030) — a prophet or (generally) inspired man עוֹד (ʻôwd, H5750) — properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition),… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗אוֹת (ʼôwth, H226) — a signal (literally or figuratively), as aflag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy,… מוֹפֵת (môwphêth, H4159) — a miracle; by implication, a token or omen יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt פַּרְעֹה (Parʻôh, H6547) — Paroh, a general title of Egyptian kings עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant
Open source ↗חָזָק (châzâq, H2389) — strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent) יָד (yâd, H3027) — a hand (the open one (indicating power, means, direction, etc.), גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent מוֹרָא (môwrâʼ, H4172) — fear; by implication, a fearful thing or deed מֹשֶׁה (Môsheh, H4872) — Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application עַיִן (ʻayin, H5869) — an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape) יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
“Go up into the Abarim Range to Mount Nebo, in the land of Moab across from Jericho, and view the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites as their own possession.
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the holy city of Jerusalem coming down out of heaven from God,
In visions of God He took me to the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, on whose southern slope was a structure that resembled a city.
(Later, when the territory of the Danites was lost to them, they went up and fought against Leshem, captured it, and put it to the sword. So they took possession of Leshem, settled there, and renamed it after their father Dan.)
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go up this mountain of the Abarim range and see the land that I have given the Israelites.
They set out from Almon-diblathaim and camped in the mountains of Abarim facing Nebo.
And the LORD said to him, “This is the land that I swore to give Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob when I said, ‘I will give it to your descendants.’ I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you will not cross into it.”
and from Bamoth to the valley in Moab where the top of Pisgah overlooks the wasteland.
And when Abram heard that his relative had been captured, he mobilized the 318 trained men born in his household, and they set out in pursuit as far as Dan.
Although you shall see from a distance the land that I am giving the Israelites, you shall not enter it.”