Deuteronomy 3:27

KJV

Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold [it] with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan.

KJV (with Strong's)

Get thee up {H5927} into the top {H7218} of Pisgah {H6449}, and lift up {H5375} thine eyes {H5869} westward {H3220}, and northward {H6828}, and southward {H8486}, and eastward {H4217}, and behold {H7200} it with thine eyes {H5869}: for thou shalt not go over {H5674} this Jordan {H3383}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Climb up to the top of Pisgah and look out to the west, north, south and east. Look with your eyes - but you will not go across this Yarden.

Berean Standard Bible

Go to the top of Pisgah and look to the west and north and south and east. See the land with your own eyes, for you will not cross this Jordan.

American Standard Version

Get thee up unto the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 3:27 captures a deeply poignant moment in the life of Moses, as God commands him to ascend Mount Pisgah to survey the Promised Land from afar, a land he is explicitly forbidden from entering. This divine decree underscores both God's unwavering justice in holding even His most faithful servants accountable for disobedience and His steadfast faithfulness in bringing His covenant promises to fruition for the nation of Israel, albeit through a new leader. The verse serves as a bittersweet culmination of Moses' forty-year wilderness leadership, offering him a final, panoramic glimpse of the inheritance he had tirelessly pursued for his people.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 3:27 is situated within Moses' second major discourse to the Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab just before they are to cross the Jordan River into Canaan. This section of Deuteronomy (chapters 1-4) serves as a historical prologue, recounting the wilderness journey and God's faithfulness, but also His judgments. Specifically, verses 23-29 of chapter 3 detail Moses' fervent plea to God to be allowed to enter the Promised Land, a request that God definitively denies. Verse 27 is God's direct response, granting Moses a visual consolation prize while reiterating the consequence of his past sin. It immediately precedes God's instruction to Moses to commission Joshua as his successor, highlighting the crucial transition of leadership that is about to occur as the nation prepares for conquest and settlement (see [Deuteronomy 3:28](/deuteronomy/3-28 "Deuteronomy 3:28 - Commissioning Joshua")).
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, around 1406 BC, forty years after the Exodus from Egypt. The Israelites are poised to enter the land promised to their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Moses' inability to enter the land stems from his act of disobedience at Meribah, where he struck the rock twice instead of speaking to it, thus failing to honor God's holiness before the people ([Numbers 20:10-12](/numbers/20-10 "Numbers 20:10-12 - Moses' Sin at Meribah")). Mount Pisgah, a peak in the Abarim mountain range (often identified with Mount Nebo), provided a strategic vantage point overlooking the Jordan Valley and stretching far into Canaan. This geographical detail is crucial, as it allowed Moses to physically see the vastness of the land, fulfilling a deep longing even in his exclusion. The cultural understanding of covenant and consequence would have made God's judgment on Moses, though severe, comprehensible within the framework of divine justice and holiness.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. It exemplifies **Divine Sovereignty and Justice**, demonstrating that God's decrees are absolute and His standards of holiness apply even to His most revered leaders like Moses. It underscores the **Consequences of Disobedience**, serving as a stark reminder that even a single act of rebellion against God's explicit command can have profound and lasting repercussions, preventing Moses from achieving his lifelong goal. Furthermore, it highlights **God's Faithfulness to His Covenant Promises**, as the vision from Pisgah confirms that the land promised to Abraham (see [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - Promise of Land to Abram")) is indeed within reach for the next generation, even if Moses himself will not lead them in. Finally, it sets the stage for the crucial theme of **Leadership Transition**, as Moses' exclusion necessitates the raising up of Joshua, ensuring the continuity of God's plan for His people (compare with [Deuteronomy 31:7-8](/deuteronomy/31-7 "Deuteronomy 31:7-8 - Moses Commissions Joshua")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Pisgah (Hebrew, _piśgāh'_):** This term refers to a specific peak within the Abarim mountain range, often identified with Mount Nebo. Its name may derive from a root meaning "to cleave" or "to cut," perhaps referring to a prominent ridge or a place from which one can "break forth" into a wide view. In this context, Pisgah is not merely a geographical location but a divinely appointed vantage point, a place of both revelation and limitation for Moses. It represents the boundary of his earthly journey and the threshold of Israel's inheritance.
* **Behold (Hebrew, _ra'ah'_):** This verb signifies "to see," "to perceive," or "to gaze upon." The repetition of "behold [it] with thine eyes" emphasizes the visual and tangible nature of the experience granted to Moses. It was not a mere mental image but a physical, panoramic survey of the land. This act of seeing, though without entering, serves as a form of partial fulfillment and a powerful confirmation of God's promise, even as it underscores Moses' exclusion.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Get thee up into the top of Pisgah":** This is a direct divine command, indicating God's sovereign initiative in this poignant moment. Moses is instructed to ascend to a specific, elevated location, setting the scene for the panoramic view. The ascent itself symbolizes a final, solitary act of obedience for Moses before his death.
* **"and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward":** This specifies the comprehensive nature of the view God grants Moses. It's not a mere glimpse but a full, four-directional survey, encompassing the vastness of the Promised Land from the Mediterranean Sea in the west to the regions beyond the Jordan in the east, and from Galilee in the north to the Negev in the south. This detail emphasizes the completeness of God's promise and the reality of the inheritance awaiting Israel.
* **"and behold [it] with thine eyes":** This reiterates and reinforces the previous phrase, emphasizing the visual experience. The repetition underscores the significance of this final sight for Moses, allowing him to personally witness the land he had led the Israelites toward for forty years. It is a moment of profound personal connection to the covenant promise.
* **"for thou shalt not go over this Jordan":** This is the definitive and unyielding divine decree that forms the core of Moses' tragic exclusion. The "Jordan" serves as the physical and symbolic barrier between Moses and the Promised Land. This clause explicitly states the consequence of his earlier disobedience, highlighting God's unbending justice and the gravity of failing to sanctify Him before the people.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 3:27 is rich with **Symbolism**. Mount Pisgah itself symbolizes a threshold—a point of transition, both for Moses' life and for Israel's journey. It is a place of ultimate vision but also ultimate limitation. The act of "lifting up thine eyes" and "beholding" the land symbolizes Moses' deep longing and his spiritual connection to God's promise, even as his physical entry is barred. The **Contrast** between seeing and entering is stark and poignant, highlighting the tension between divine promise and human failure. There is also a powerful sense of **Irony**: the very leader who brought Israel to the brink of the Promised Land is denied entry, a testament to God's absolute holiness. The **Repetition** of "with thine eyes" further emphasizes the visual nature of the experience, underscoring the bittersweet reality for Moses.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 3:27 serves as a profound theological statement on the nature of God's justice, His covenant faithfulness, and the consequences of sin, even for those in positions of great spiritual authority. It teaches that while God's promises are sure and His plan for His people will be fulfilled, individual accountability remains paramount. Moses, despite his unparalleled intimacy with God and his pivotal role in Israel's history, was not exempt from the consequences of his disobedience at Meribah. This demonstrates God's unwavering holiness and His expectation of complete obedience from all, regardless of status. Yet, even in judgment, God's compassion is evident in allowing Moses to see the land, providing a measure of solace and confirming the ultimate fulfillment of His promise to Israel through their new leader, Joshua. This moment foreshadows a greater leader who would lead God's people into a truer, spiritual inheritance.

* [Numbers 20:12](/numbers/20-12 "Numbers 20:12 - The Reason for Moses' Exclusion")
* [Deuteronomy 34:1-4](/deuteronomy/34-1 "Deuteronomy 34:1-4 - Moses Views the Land from Mount Nebo")
* [Hebrews 3:17-19](/hebrews/3-17 "Hebrews 3:17-19 - Disobedience and Exclusion from Rest")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 3:27 offers a sobering yet hopeful reflection for believers today. It confronts us with the reality that even profound faith and lifelong service do not exempt us from the consequences of our disobedience. Moses' exclusion from the Promised Land reminds us of the critical importance of honoring God's holiness in every action, ensuring that our lives consistently reflect His character. This passage also encourages us to embrace God's sovereign plan, even when it diverges from our personal aspirations or when we face limitations in our earthly journey. Like Moses, we may be granted a glimpse of God's ultimate purposes, even if our role in their full realization is not what we envisioned. It calls us to trust in God's faithfulness to complete His work through others, and to prepare the next generation for the tasks we may not finish, fostering a spirit of humility and selfless service for the greater glory of God's kingdom.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might I be subtly dishonoring God's holiness, even in my service to Him?**
* **How does Moses' experience encourage me to trust God's sovereign plan, even when my personal desires or efforts are not fully realized?**
* **What steps can I take to prepare and empower the next generation to carry on God's work, recognizing that my own time and role are finite?**
* **How can I find peace and perspective when facing personal disappointments or limitations, knowing that God's ultimate promises will still be fulfilled?**

### FAQ
**Why was Moses not allowed to enter the Promised Land, despite his faithfulness?**

Answer: Moses was barred from entering the Promised Land due to a specific act of disobedience at Meribah, recorded in [Numbers 20:7-12](/numbers/20-7 "Numbers 20:7-12 - The Waters of Meribah"). God had commanded Moses to *speak* to the rock to bring forth water for the thirsty Israelites. However, out of frustration with the people's complaining, Moses struck the rock twice with his staff, saying, "Hear now, you rebels; shall we bring you water out of this rock?" God's judgment was swift and severe: because Moses did not "believe in Me, to uphold Me as holy in the eyes of the people," he would not bring the congregation into the land. This incident underscored the gravity of Moses' failure to sanctify God's name before the people, demonstrating that even great leaders are held to account for their actions, particularly concerning God's holiness.

**What is the significance of Moses seeing the land but not entering it?**

Answer: Moses seeing the land from Pisgah, as described in [Deuteronomy 3:27](/deuteronomy/3-27 "Deuteronomy 3:27 - Moses' View from Pisgah") and [Deuteronomy 34:1-4](/deuteronomy/34-1 "Deuteronomy 34:1-4 - Moses' Death and Burial"), carries profound significance. Firstly, it highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. Despite Moses' personal failure, God ensured that His promise to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob regarding the land would be fulfilled for the nation of Israel. Moses' vision confirmed this reality. Secondly, it serves as a bittersweet act of divine compassion. While Moses faced the just consequence of his sin, God still granted him a final, panoramic glimpse of the land he had tirelessly led his people toward for forty years. This provided a measure of solace and closure for Moses. Thirdly, it underscores the theme of leadership transition, clearly marking the end of Moses' era and setting the stage for Joshua to lead the people into their inheritance, emphasizing that God's work continues beyond any single individual.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Moses, the great lawgiver and deliverer, who led Israel out of bondage and brought them to the very threshold of the Promised Land, ultimately could not lead them into their inheritance due to his own sin. This poignant limitation in Moses' ministry points forward to a greater leader, Jesus Christ, who perfectly fulfills what Moses could not. Moses, by striking the rock twice, failed to uphold God's holiness; Christ, by being struck once on the cross, perfectly satisfied God's holiness and opened the way for all who believe to enter into a far greater spiritual inheritance. Unlike the earthly Canaan, which was a type and shadow, Christ leads His people into the true rest and eternal inheritance, the heavenly Jerusalem, a kingdom that cannot be shaken (see [Hebrews 12:22-29](/hebrews/12-22 "Hebrews 12:22-29 - The Heavenly Jerusalem")). Moses could only show the land; Jesus, the ultimate Joshua (whose name is the Greek equivalent of Joshua), not only shows the way but *is* the Way, the Truth, and the Life, leading His people into the very presence of God (see [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, Truth, and Life")). His perfect obedience, unlike Moses' momentary failure, guarantees access to God's promised rest for all who believe, a rest that transcends any earthly land (compare [Hebrews 4:1-11](/hebrews/4-1 "Hebrews 4:1-11 - Entering God's Rest")). Thus, Moses' bittersweet glimpse from Pisgah foreshadows the glorious reality that through Christ, we are not merely shown the inheritance, but we are brought fully into it.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Numbers 27:12

¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel.

Genesis 13:14

¶ And the LORD said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him, Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art northward, and southward, and eastward, and westward:

Genesis 13:15

For all the land which thou seest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

Deuteronomy 34:1

¶ 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,

Deuteronomy 34:4

And the LORD said unto him, This [is] the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see [it] with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.