(The Lord speaking is red text)
But I must die in this land, I must not go over Jordan: but ye shall go over, and possess that good land.
Rather, I must die in this land and not cross the Yarden; but you are to cross and take possession of that good land.
For I will not be crossing the Jordan, because I must die in this land. But you shall cross over and take possession of that good land.
but I must die in this land, I must not go over the Jordan; but ye shall go over, and possess that good land.
But I must die{H4191} in this land{H776}, I must not go over{H5674} Jordan{H3383}: but ye shall go over{H5674}, and possess{H3423} that good{H2896} land{H776}.
Deuteronomy 4:22 is part of the speech given by Moses to the Israelites as they stand on the threshold of the Promised Land. The verse reflects several key themes and historical contexts:
**Themes:**
1. **Divine Promise and Fulfillment:** The verse emphasizes the promise of God to give the land of Canaan to the Israelites, a theme that runs throughout the Pentateuch.
2. **Mosaic Leadership and Succession:** Moses, who led the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness, acknowledges his impending death and the fact that he will not enter the Promised Land. This sets the stage for Joshua to succeed him as leader.
3. **Obedience and Consequences:** Moses' inability to enter the land is a consequence of his earlier disobedience (Numbers 20:12). This serves as a lesson to the Israelites about the importance of obeying God's commands.
4. **Transition and Hope:** Despite Moses' absence in the land, there is a sense of hope and transition as the people are encouraged to move forward and claim the land that has been promised to them.
**Historical Context:**
Deuteronomy is presented as a series of speeches delivered by Moses to the Israelites in the plains of Moab by the Jordan River, just before they enter the land of Canaan. The book is set at the end of the 40-year wilderness period following the Exodus from Egypt. The Israelites are about to cross the Jordan River to possess the land that God had promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob centuries earlier.
Moses, who has led the people thus far, is informed by God that he will not enter the Promised Land due to an incident at Meribah (Numbers 20:1-13), where he disobeyed God's instructions. Deuteronomy 4:22 is part of Moses' explanation to the people, reiterating God's promise to them while also accepting his own fate.
The verse reflects the historical transition from the era of Moses to that of Joshua, who will lead the Israelites into the land. It also serves as a reminder of the covenantal relationship between God and Israel, with the land being a central component of that covenant. The historical context is thus one of anticipation, change, and a reaffirmation of the unique relationship between the Israelites and their God.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)