Deuteronomy 34:7

And Moses [was] an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.

And Moses {H4872} was an hundred {H3967} and twenty {H6242} years {H8141} old {H1121} when he died {H4194}: his eye {H5869} was not dim {H3543}, nor his natural force {H3893} abated {H5127}.

Moshe was 120 years old when he died, with eyes undimmed and vigor undiminished.

Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were not weak, and his vitality had not diminished.

And Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.

Deuteronomy 34:7 provides a remarkable epitaph for Moses, highlighting his extraordinary physical vitality even at the advanced age of 120 years. This verse concludes the account of Moses' life, just before his death and burial on Mount Nebo.

Context

This verse appears at the very end of the book of Deuteronomy, serving as a poignant summary of Moses' long and impactful life. After leading the Israelites for 40 years through the wilderness, bringing them to the borders of the Promised Land, Moses was not permitted to enter due to his disobedience at Meribah (Numbers 20:12). Despite this, God allowed him to see the land from afar (Deuteronomy 34:4). The description of his undiminished strength underscores God's sustained blessing and unique relationship with His servant, preparing the way for the transition of leadership to Joshua (Deuteronomy 34:9).

Key Themes

  • Divine Sustenance: Moses' enduring strength and clear vision at 120 years old are not attributed to natural longevity alone but to God's supernatural preservation. This demonstrates God's power to sustain His chosen servants for their appointed tasks.
  • Moses' Unique Status: The verse emphasizes Moses' extraordinary physical condition, reflecting his unique role as God's prophet and the leader through whom the Law was given. His life was marked by divine favor from beginning to end.
  • Faithfulness to the End: Moses remained physically and mentally capable of leadership until his very last moments, a testament to his unwavering dedication and the grace that empowered him.
  • Preparation for Transition: By highlighting Moses' full faculties, the text subtly emphasizes that his death was not due to weakness or failing health, but was part of God's sovereign plan for the leadership transition to Joshua and the entry into the Promised Land.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "his eye was not dim" (Hebrew: לֹא כָהֲתָה עֵינוֹ, lo khahetah eyno) indicates perfect, unimpaired vision, not just adequate sight. The second part, "nor his natural force abated" (Hebrew: וְלֹא נָס לֵחֹה, velo nas lecho), literally translates to "nor his moisture fled." In ancient Hebrew thought, "moisture" (לֵחֹה - lecho) was often associated with vigor, freshness, and youthful vitality. Thus, the verse means Moses retained his full physical strength, energy, and youthful spirit until his death, a truly remarkable feat.

Significance and Application

Deuteronomy 34:7 offers powerful encouragement for believers. It illustrates that God's power can sustain His people, even into old age, enabling them to fulfill their purpose. Moses' life serves as a reminder that faithfulness to God can result in divine strength and the ability to "finish strong" in one's spiritual journey. It emphasizes that God's plan unfolds perfectly, and He equips His servants for every stage of their calling, allowing them to remain effective until their work is complete.

Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Deuteronomy 31:2

    And he said unto them, I [am] an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.

  • Joshua 14:10

    And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while [the children of] Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I [am] this day fourscore and five years old.

  • Joshua 14:11

    As yet I [am as] strong this day as [I was] in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength [was] then, even so [is] my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in.

  • Genesis 27:1

    ¶ And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, [here am] I.

  • Acts 7:36

    He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.

  • Genesis 48:10

    Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, [so that] he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.

  • Acts 7:30

    ¶ And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.
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