Deuteronomy 32:49

Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, [unto] mount Nebo, which [is] in the land of Moab, that [is] over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession:

Get thee up {H5927} into this mountain {H2022} Abarim {H5682}, unto mount {H2022} Nebo {H5015}, which is in the land {H776} of Moab {H4124}, that is over against {H6440} Jericho {H3405}; and behold {H7200} the land {H776} of Canaan {H3667}, which I give {H5414} unto the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} for a possession {H272}:

"Go up into the 'Avarim Range, to Mount N'vo, in the land of Mo'av across from Yericho; and look out over the land of Kena'an, which I am giving the people of Isra'el as a possession.

“Go up into the Abarim Range to Mount Nebo, in the land of Moab across from Jericho, and view the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the Israelites as their own possession.

Get thee up into this mountain of Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession;

Commentary

Deuteronomy 32:49 (KJV): "Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, [unto] mount Nebo, which [is] in the land of Moab, that [is] over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession:"

Context

This verse marks a poignant moment in the life of Moses, occurring at the very end of his leadership. Following the powerful "Song of Moses" in Deuteronomy 32, which recounts God's faithfulness and Israel's unfaithfulness, the Lord gives Moses his final instruction. God commands Moses to ascend Mount Nebo, part of the Abarim mountain range in the land of Moab. This command serves as the prelude to Moses' final moments on Earth, where he would view the Promised Land but not enter it due to his disobedience at the waters of Meribah (Numbers 20:12).

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Command and Sovereignty: The verse highlights God's absolute authority over Moses and the destiny of Israel. It is God who directs Moses to this specific mountain and reveals His sovereign plan for the land of Canaan.
  • Moses' Final View of the Promised Land: This command grants Moses a unique, albeit bittersweet, opportunity to see the culmination of God's promises from afar. It underscores the severity of his sin while also displaying God's mercy in allowing him this final glimpse.
  • Fulfillment of God's Promise: The phrase "which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession" emphasizes the unwavering nature of God's covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Despite Israel's wanderings and Moses' exclusion, God remains faithful to His word regarding the land (Genesis 12:7, Genesis 15:18).
  • The Land as a Possession: The word "possession" (Hebrew: yerushah or morashah) signifies an inheritance, something given by God to His people. It highlights the divine gift and the legal claim Israel would have over the land, not by their merit, but by God's gracious decree.

Linguistic Insights

The geographical names are significant: Abarim is a mountain range, and Mount Nebo is a specific peak within it, historically associated with Moses' death and burial. The location "over against Jericho" pinpoints its strategic position, offering a clear view across the Jordan River into the heart of the Promised Land, including the area where Israel would soon cross into Canaan.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 32:49 offers several lessons for believers today:

  • God's Faithfulness Endures: Even when human leaders stumble, God's ultimate plan and promises remain steadfast. His purposes will be accomplished, often through new leadership (Joshua 1:2-3).
  • Consequences of Disobedience: Moses, a great servant of God, still faced consequences for his actions. This serves as a sober reminder that even those closest to God are accountable for their obedience.
  • Hope in God's Promises: The vision of the Promised Land, even from a distance, symbolizes the future hope and inheritance God has prepared for His people. For Christians, this points to a spiritual inheritance and the eternal home God promises (John 14:2-3).
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Cross-References

  • Numbers 27:12 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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.

  • 2 Corinthians 5:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ For we know that if our earthly house of [this] tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.

  • Isaiah 33:17 (2 votes)

    Thine eyes shall see the king in his beauty: they shall behold the land that is very far off.

  • Numbers 33:47 (2 votes)

    And they removed from Almondiblathaim, and pitched in the mountains of Abarim, before Nebo.

  • Numbers 33:48 (2 votes)

    And they departed from the mountains of Abarim, and pitched in the plains of Moab by Jordan [near] Jericho.

  • Deuteronomy 34:1 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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 34:5 (2 votes)

    ¶ So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.