Deuteronomy34

Moses ascended Mount Nebo, where the LORD showed him the entire Promised Land, though he was not permitted to enter it. Moses, the servant of the LORD, died there at the age of 120, his burial place remaining unknown. Joshua, filled with wisdom from Moses's anointing, succeeded him as leader, and the children of Israel obeyed him. The chapter concludes by affirming Moses's unparalleled status as a prophet known by the LORD face to face.

Moses Views the Promised Land

1
Moshe ascended from the plains of Mo'av to Mount N'vo, to the summit of Pisgah, across from Yericho. There ADONAI showed him all the land -Gil'ad as far as Dan, ​
2
all Naftali, the land of Efrayim and M'nasheh, the land of Y'hudah all the way to the sea beyond,
3
the Negev, and the 'Aravah, including the valley where Yericho, the City of Date-Palms, as far away as Tzo'ar.
4
ADONAI said to him, "This is the land concerning which I swore to Avraham, Yitz'chak and Ya'akov, 'I will give it to your descendants.' I have let you see it with your eyes, but you will not cross over there." ​

The Death and Burial of Moses

5
So Moshe, the servant of ADONAI, died there in the land of Mo'av, as ADONAI had said. ​
6
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. ​
7
Moshe was 120 years old when he died, with eyes undimmed and vigor undiminished. ​
8
The people of Isra'el mourned Moshe on the plains of Mo'av for thirty days; after this, the days of crying and mourning for Moshe ended.

Joshua Succeeds Moses

9
Y'hoshua the son of Nun was full of the Spirit of wisdom, for Moshe had laid his hands on him, and the people of Isra'el heeded him and did what ADONAI had ordered Moshe. ​

The Legacy of Moses

10
Since that time there has not arisen in Isra'el a prophet like Moshe, whom ADONAI knew face to face. ​
11
What signs and wonders ADONAI sent him to perform in the land of Egypt upon Pharaoh, all his servants and all his land!
12
What might was in his hand! What great terror he evoked before the eyes of all Isra'el!

Study Notes for Deuteronomy 34

Verse 1

Mount Nebo (with its peak Pisgah) provided a panoramic view of the land, symbolizing the faithful fulfillment of God’s covenant promise made hundreds of years earlier to Abraham.

Verse 4

God reaffirms the covenant promise, demonstrating His faithfulness even as He enforces the consequence of Moses’ disobedience (Num 20:12). Moses sees the inheritance but cannot enter it.

Verse 5

The title 'servant of the LORD' is the highest designation for a faithful leader, emphasizing Moses' unique relationship with God and his role as mediator of the covenant.

Verse 6

The mysterious nature of Moses' burial, performed by God Himself in an unknown location, likely prevented the site from becoming a place of unwarranted pilgrimage or idolatrous veneration.

Verse 7

Moses' physical vitality at 120 years old emphasizes that his death was a divinely appointed restriction, not a result of natural decay or weakness.

Verse 9

The laying on of hands by Moses transferred authority and spiritual endowment to Joshua. This act confirmed Joshua's leadership and provided the necessary 'spirit of wisdom' to guide the nation.

Verse 10

This verse serves as a final, inspired eulogy, establishing Moses as the greatest prophet in Israel's history. His defining characteristic was intimate, direct communion with God, whom he knew 'face to face' (Exod 33:11).

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