Deuteronomy 34:6

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.

Complete Jewish Bible:

He was buried in the valley across from Beit-P'or in the land of Mo'av, but to this day no one knows where his grave is.

Berean Standard Bible:

And He buried him in a valley in the land of Moab facing Beth-peor, and no one to this day knows the location of his grave.

American Standard Version:

And he buried him in the valley in the land of Moab over against Beth-peor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And he buried{H6912} him in a valley{H1516} in the land{H776} of Moab{H4124}, over against{H4136} Bethpeor{H1047}: but no man{H376} knoweth{H3045} of his sepulchre{H6900} unto this day{H3117}.

Cross-References (KJV):

Jude 1:9

  • Yet Michael the archangel, when contending with the devil he disputed about the body of Moses, durst not bring against him a railing accusation, but said, The Lord rebuke thee.

Deuteronomy 3:29

  • So we abode in the valley over against Bethpeor.

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 34:6

Deuteronomy 34:6 is a poignant verse that marks the end of an era in the historical narrative of the Israelites. This verse speaks to the burial of Moses, the great leader who had shepherded the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness for forty years. According to the text, Moses was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, specifically in a location opposite Beth-peor, but the exact place of his tomb remains unknown. The significance of this verse is manifold:

1. **Transition of Leadership**: The verse signifies the transition from the leadership of Moses to that of Joshua, as Moses' death meant that the mantle of leadership passed to Joshua, who would lead the Israelites into the Promised Land.

2. **The Unknown Tomb**: The fact that "no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day" underscores the mystery surrounding Moses' final resting place. This has led to much speculation and tradition regarding the location, but the Bible itself does not disclose it, which may serve to prevent idolization of the site.

3. **Divine Decree**: The concealment of Moses' burial place could be interpreted as a divine act to honor Moses' unique role in salvation history. By not revealing the location, God may have been protecting the site from becoming an object of veneration, thus preserving the focus on the spiritual legacy of Moses rather than a physical monument.

4. **The End of an Era**: Moses' death and burial represent the end of the foundational period of Israel's history. His life and leadership were pivotal in forming the nation's identity and establishing their covenant relationship with God.

5. **Historical Context**: The burial takes place in the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, where the Israelites had been camped before their entry into Canaan. This location is significant as it is near the area where Moses viewed the Promised Land, which he was not permitted to enter due to his disobedience at the waters of Meribah (Numbers 20:12).

6. **Fulfillment of Prophecy**: Moses' burial in Moab fulfills earlier prophetic declarations made by God (Deuteronomy 32:50-52). Moses' death and the subsequent transfer of leadership to Joshua were part of the divine plan for Israel.

In summary, Deuteronomy 34:6 encapsulates the transition from the Mosaic to the Joshua era, highlights the mysterious and enduring legacy of Moses, and emphasizes the sovereignty of God over the history and destiny of His people. The verse also serves as a reminder of the limitations of human leaders and the importance of adhering to God's directives as the Israelites stood on the brink of a new chapter in their national story.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

  1. Strong's Number: H6912
    There are 122 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קָבַר
    Transliteration: qâbar
    Pronunciation: kaw-bar'
    Description: a primitive root; to inter; [idiom] in any wise, bury(-ier).
  2. Strong's Number: H1516
    There are 54 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: גַּיְא
    Transliteration: gayʼ
    Pronunciation: gah'-ee
    Description: or (shortened) גַּי; probably (by transmutation) from the same root as גֵּוָה (abbreviated); a gorge (from its lofty sides; hence, narrow, but not a gully or winter-torrent); valley.
  3. Strong's Number: H776
    There are 2739 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אֶרֶץ
    Transliteration: ʼerets
    Pronunciation: eh'-rets
    Description: from an unused root probably meaning to be firm; the earth (at large, or partitively a land); [idiom] common, country, earth, field, ground, land, [idiom] natins, way, [phrase] wilderness, world.
  4. Strong's Number: H4124
    There are 158 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מוֹאָב
    Transliteration: Môwʼâb
    Pronunciation: mo-awb
    Description: from a prolonged form of the prepositional prefix m-and אָב; from (her (the mother's)) father; Moab, an incestuous son of Lot; also his territory and descendants; Moab.
  5. Strong's Number: H4136
    There are 34 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: מוּל
    Transliteration: mûwl
    Pronunciation: mool
    Description: or מוֹל; (Deuteronomy 1:1), or מוֹאל; (Nehemiah 12:38), or מֻל; (Numbers 22:5), from מוּל; properly, abrupt, i.e. a precipice; by implication, the front; used only adverbially (with prepositional prefix) opposite; (over) against, before, (fore-) front, from, (God-) ward, toward, with.
  6. Strong's Number: H1047
    There are 4 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: בֵּית פְּעוֹר
    Transliteration: Bêyth Pᵉʻôwr
    Pronunciation: bayth pe-ore'
    Description: from בַּיִת and פְּעוֹר; house of Peor; Beth-Peor, a place East of the Jordan; Bethpeor.
  7. Strong's Number: H376
    There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: אִישׁ
    Transliteration: ʼîysh
    Pronunciation: eesh
    Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
  8. Strong's Number: H3045
    There are 873 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יָדַע
    Transliteration: yâdaʻ
    Pronunciation: yaw-dah'
    Description: a primitive root; to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including observation, care, recognition; and causatively, instruction, designation, punishment, etc.); acknowledge, acquaintance(-ted with), advise, answer, appoint, assuredly, be aware, (un-) awares, can(-not), certainly, comprehend, consider, [idiom] could they, cunning, declare, be diligent, (can, cause to) discern, discover, endued with, familiar friend, famous, feel, can have, be (ig-) norant, instruct, kinsfolk, kinsman, (cause to let, make) know, (come to give, have, take) knowledge, have (knowledge), (be, make, make to be, make self) known, [phrase] be learned, [phrase] lie by man, mark, perceive, privy to, [idiom] prognosticator, regard, have respect, skilful, shew, can (man of) skill, be sure, of a surety, teach, (can) tell, understand, have (understanding), [idiom] will be, wist, wit, wot.
  9. Strong's Number: H6900
    There are 13 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: קְבוּרָה
    Transliteration: qᵉbûwrâh
    Pronunciation: keb-oo-raw'
    Description: or קְבֻרָה; feminine passive participle of קָבַר; sepulture; (concretely) a sepulchre; burial, burying place, grave, sepulchre.
  10. Strong's Number: H3117
    There are 1931 instances of this translation in the Bible
    Lemma: יוֹם
    Transliteration: yôwm
    Pronunciation: yome
    Description: from an unused root meaning to be hot; a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an associated term), (often used adverb); age, [phrase] always, [phrase] chronicals, continually(-ance), daily, ((birth-), each, to) day, (now a, two) days (agone), [phrase] elder, [idiom] end, [phrase] evening, [phrase] (for) ever(-lasting, -more), [idiom] full, life, as (so) long as (... live), (even) now, [phrase] old, [phrase] outlived, [phrase] perpetually, presently, [phrase] remaineth, [idiom] required, season, [idiom] since, space, then, (process of) time, [phrase] as at other times, [phrase] in trouble, weather, (as) when, (a, the, within a) while (that), [idiom] whole ([phrase] age), (full) year(-ly), [phrase] younger.