Deuteronomy 32:48

KJV

And the LORD spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying,

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} spake {H1696} unto Moses {H4872} that selfsame {H6106} day {H3117}, saying {H559},

Complete Jewish Bible

That same day ADONAI said to Moshe,

Berean Standard Bible

On that same day the LORD said to Moses,

American Standard Version

And Jehovah spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 32:48 serves as a solemn and immediate divine declaration, marking a critical turning point in the narrative of Moses' life and the history of Israel. Following the profound prophetic Song of Moses, this verse directly introduces God's final, urgent instructions to His faithful servant, setting the stage for Moses' ascent to Mount Nebo and the culmination of his earthly ministry before his death. It underscores the divine initiative and the precise timing of God's sovereign plan.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the conclusion of the [Song of Moses](/deuteronomy/32 "Deuteronomy 32 - The Song of Moses"), a lengthy and comprehensive poetic discourse spanning [Deuteronomy 32:1-43](/deuteronomy/32-1 "Deuteronomy 32:1-43 - The Song of Moses"). In the preceding verses, particularly [Deuteronomy 32:46-47](/deuteronomy/32-46 "Deuteronomy 32:46-47 - Moses' Exhortation to Israel"), Moses passionately exhorted the Israelites to "take to heart all the words" he had spoken, emphasizing their life-giving power and their generational significance. Having delivered this monumental message—a testament to God's faithfulness and Israel's future trajectory—Moses is now directly addressed by the LORD. The abruptness of "that selfsame day" highlights the immediacy and divine imperative of the command that follows in [Deuteronomy 32:49-52](/deuteronomy/32-49 "Deuteronomy 32:49-52 - God's Command to Moses to Ascend Mount Nebo"), setting the stage for Moses' final act of obedience and the transition of leadership.

* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The setting is the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, with the Israelites poised to enter the Promised Land after forty years of wilderness wandering. Moses, now 120 years old, has led the nation for four decades, serving as their primary mediator and prophet. Culturally, the direct communication between a deity and a chosen leader was a hallmark of ancient Near Eastern narratives, but in Israel, it was uniquely characterized by the personal and covenantal relationship between Yahweh and His people, often mediated through figures like Moses. The immediate divine command in [Deuteronomy 32:48](/deuteronomy/32-48 "Deuteronomy 32:48 - God's Command to Moses") underscores God's active involvement in the historical unfolding of His covenant promises, particularly the land inheritance. The impending death of Moses, a foundational figure, would have been a moment of profound significance and potential anxiety for the nation, making God's direct, timely intervention crucial for the orderly transition of leadership to [Joshua](/deuteronomy/31-7 "Deuteronomy 31:7 - Moses Commissions Joshua").

* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes within Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. It powerfully illustrates **Divine Communication and Revelation**, emphasizing God's direct, personal, and authoritative interaction with His chosen servant, ensuring His will is precisely conveyed. It highlights **Sovereign Command and Obedience**, portraying God's word as an immediate and non-negotiable directive, demanding unwavering response from Moses. Furthermore, it marks a pivotal moment in the theme of **Transition and Legacy**, initiating the final phase of Moses' earthly leadership and setting the stage for the divinely orchestrated handover to Joshua, ensuring the continuity of God's plan for Israel's entry into the Promised Land, as foreshadowed in [Deuteronomy 31:1-8](/deuteronomy/31 "Deuteronomy 31 - Moses' Final Instructions and Commissioning of Joshua"). The timing, "that selfsame day," also reinforces the theme of **Divine Timing and Providence**, demonstrating God's meticulous control over every detail of His redemptive history.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Spake (Hebrew, _dāḇar'_):** This verb signifies more than mere utterance; it implies a deliberate, authoritative, and often performative speech. In the context of God, _dāḇar_ denotes a divine decree or revelation that carries inherent power and certainty. It underscores the active and intentional nature of God's communication, not just a casual conversation, but a weighty pronouncement with immediate implications for Moses and the nation of Israel. It is the same word used for God "speaking" the Ten Commandments and other laws, emphasizing the binding nature of the ensuing command.
* **Selfsame day (Hebrew, _bəʿeṣem hayyōm hazzeh'_):** This idiomatic expression is a powerful intensifier, emphasizing the immediacy, precision, and decisive nature of the event. The word _ʿeṣem_ literally means "bone" or "essence," conveying the idea of the "very essence" or "very substance" of that day. Its use here indicates that God's command to Moses was not merely on that day, but at that exact, pivotal moment, underscoring its urgency and divine appointment. This phrase appears in other critical biblical moments, such as [Genesis 7:13](/genesis/7-13 "Genesis 7:13 - Noah Enters the Ark on that Very Day") when Noah entered the ark, and [Exodus 12:51](/exodus/12-51 "Exodus 12:51 - The Exodus on that Very Day") when the Israelites departed Egypt, always marking a divinely ordained, momentous, and non-negotiable turning point.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD spake unto Moses":** This opening clause immediately establishes the divine origin and authority of the ensuing command. "The LORD" (Yahweh) signifies the covenant God of Israel, emphasizing His personal involvement and faithfulness to His promises. The direct address "unto Moses" highlights God's unique relationship with His chosen mediator, underscoring the privilege and responsibility of Moses' role as the recipient of divine revelation. This is not a general pronouncement but a specific, personal communication.
* **"that selfsame day,":** This crucial temporal marker emphasizes the immediacy and divine precision of the command. It signifies that the instruction given to Moses was not delayed but was delivered on the very day he had finished delivering the Song of Moses and his final exhortations. This immediacy conveys the urgency and non-negotiable nature of God's will, as well as His perfect timing in orchestrating the final events of Moses' life and the leadership transition.
* **"saying,":** This simple yet profound word acts as a direct introduction to God's subsequent command, which is detailed in [Deuteronomy 32:49-52](/deuteronomy/32-49 "Deuteronomy 32:49-52 - God's Command to Moses to Ascend Mount Nebo"). It signals that the following words are a direct quotation of God's own authoritative speech, preparing the reader for the solemn and significant instructions regarding Moses' ascent to Mount Nebo and his impending death.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices. **Emphasis** is powerfully conveyed through the phrase "that selfsame day," which serves to highlight the immediate and decisive nature of God's command, drawing the reader's attention to the gravity of the moment. This immediacy also contributes to a sense of **Urgency**, signaling that Moses' time is drawing to a close and God's plan is unfolding precisely and without delay. Furthermore, the verse functions as a moment of **Transition**, marking the narrative shift from Moses' extensive prophetic discourse to the final acts of his life, including his viewing of the Promised Land and his death. It also serves as **Foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the culmination of Moses' ministry and the impending leadership change that will follow his death, which is directly commanded in the subsequent verses. The direct address from "the LORD" to Moses also reinforces the literary motif of **Divine Fiat**, where God's spoken word brings about immediate action and fulfills His sovereign will.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 32:48 is a powerful testament to God's active sovereignty and His meticulous orchestration of redemptive history. It underscores the principle that God initiates and directs the pivotal moments in the lives of His servants and the unfolding of His covenant purposes. The direct, immediate communication from the LORD to Moses highlights the unique intimacy and authority inherent in their relationship, which served as the foundation for Israel's covenant with God. This divine directive, delivered "that selfsame day," emphasizes the precision of God's timing and the non-negotiable nature of His commands, even when they involve difficult transitions or the culmination of a long and faithful ministry. It reminds us that God's plan unfolds according to His perfect will, requiring immediate and unwavering obedience from those He calls.

* [Genesis 12:1](/genesis/12-1 "Genesis 12:1 - The Call of Abram")
* [Exodus 3:4](/exodus/3-4 "Exodus 3:4 - God Calls to Moses from the Bush")
* [Isaiah 6:8](/isaiah/6-8 "Isaiah 6:8 - Isaiah's Commissioning")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 32:48, though brief, carries profound implications for contemporary believers. It calls us to cultivate a posture of readiness and attentiveness to God's voice, recognizing that His commands often come with divine urgency and precise timing. Moses' immediate response to God's directive, even knowing it led to his death, serves as a powerful model of radical obedience and unwavering faithfulness until the very end. This verse challenges us to consider our own readiness to obey God's call, especially when it involves difficult transitions, the relinquishing of control, or the culmination of a season of service. It reminds us that our ultimate purpose is to fulfill God's will for our lives, trusting in His perfect plan and timing, even when the path ahead is unclear or personally challenging. Our faithfulness in the "selfsame day" of God's speaking is a testament to our trust in His sovereign goodness.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the immediacy of God's command to Moses challenge my own tendency to delay or question divine directives?**
* **In what areas of my life might God be calling me to a "selfsame day" obedience, even if it involves a difficult transition or an end to a season?**
* **What does Moses' example of faithfulness until the very end teach me about persevering in my walk with God, regardless of personal cost?**

### FAQ
**Why is the phrase "that selfsame day" so significant in this verse?**

Answer: The phrase "that selfsame day" (Hebrew: *bəʿeṣem hayyōm hazzeh*) is a powerful idiomatic expression in the Old Testament that emphasizes the immediacy, precision, and decisive nature of a divinely ordained event. It signifies that the command given to Moses was not merely on that day, but at that exact, pivotal moment, underscoring its urgency and divine appointment. Its use here highlights that God's plan for Moses' life and the leadership transition was unfolding with perfect timing and without delay, marking a non-negotiable turning point. This phrase also appears in other critical biblical moments, such as the [day Noah entered the ark](/genesis/7-13 "Genesis 7:13 - Noah Enters the Ark on that Very Day") and the [day of the Exodus](/exodus/12-51 "Exodus 12:51 - The Exodus on that Very Day"), always indicating a momentous, divinely appointed, and unalterable event.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 32:48, with its emphasis on God's direct and immediate communication to Moses, finds its ultimate fulfillment and culmination in the person of Jesus Christ. Moses, as the great prophet and mediator of the Old Covenant, received God's authoritative word directly, but he was merely a servant in God's house ([Hebrews 3:5](/hebrews/3-5 "Hebrews 3:5 - Moses as a Servant")). In contrast, God's final and most complete "saying" to humanity is through His Son, Jesus, who is the very Word made flesh ([John 1:14](/john/1-14 "John 1:14 - The Word Became Flesh")). [Hebrews 1:1-2](/hebrews/1-1 "Hebrews 1:1-2 - God Has Spoken by His Son") declares that "in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son." Just as God's word to Moses was immediate and authoritative, so too is the revelation in Christ, demanding immediate and absolute obedience ([John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - If You Love Me, You Will Keep My Commandments")). Jesus is the ultimate prophet, the one to whom Moses himself pointed ([Deuteronomy 18:15](/deuteronomy/18-15 "Deuteronomy 18:15 - The Prophet Like Moses")), and through Him, God's will is perfectly revealed and His redemptive plan fully accomplished. The "selfsame day" of God's speaking to Moses foreshadows the decisive "fullness of time" ([Galatians 4:4](/galatians/4-4 "Galatians 4:4 - The Fullness of Time")) when God sent His Son, bringing about the ultimate transition from law to grace and from shadow to reality, culminating in the perfect obedience of Christ that secures eternal life for all who believe ([Romans 5:19](/romans/5-19 "Romans 5:19 - Obedience of Christ")).

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.

Numbers 27:13

And when thou hast seen it, thou also shalt be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother was gathered.