Deuteronomy 4:21

KJV

Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, and sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance:

KJV (with Strong's)

Furthermore the LORD {H3068} was angry {H599} with me for your sakes {H1697}, and sware {H7650} that I should not go over {H5674} Jordan {H3383}, and that I should not go {H935} in unto that good {H2896} land {H776}, which the LORD {H3068} thy God {H430} giveth {H5414} thee for an inheritance {H5159}:

Complete Jewish Bible

"But ADONAI was angry with me on account of you and swore that I would not cross the Yarden and go into that good land, which ADONAI your God is giving you to inherit.

Berean Standard Bible

The LORD, however, was angry with me on account of you, and He swore that I would not cross the Jordan to enter the good land that the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.

American Standard Version

Furthermore Jehovah was angry with me for your sakes, and sware that I should not go over the Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee for an inheritance:

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 4:21 presents Moses' poignant and solemn recollection to the new generation of Israelites, explaining the divine decree that barred him from entering the Promised Land. This exclusion was a direct consequence of the LORD's righteous anger, incurred due to Moses' own sin at Meribah, yet explicitly stated as being "for your sakes," highlighting the interconnectedness of leadership accountability and communal rebellion. The verse underscores God's unwavering justice, the severe implications of disobedience even for revered leaders, and the immutable nature of divine judgment concerning the inheritance of the "good land."

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 4:21 is embedded within Moses' second major discourse to the Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab as they stand poised to cross the Jordan River and enter Canaan. This address, which spans chapters 1-4, serves as a powerful retrospective on their forty-year wilderness journey and a foundational call to covenant faithfulness for the generation about to inherit the land. Moses meticulously recounts key events, including the pivotal rebellion at Kadesh-Barnea and his own sin at Meribah (cf. [Numbers 20:1-13](/numbers/20-1 "Numbers 20:1-13 - The Waters of Meribah")), which led to God's definitive decree regarding his exclusion. By reiterating this deeply personal consequence, Moses not only provides a transparent explanation for his impending absence from their future entry but also powerfully reinforces the gravity of obedience and the severe consequences of unbelief for the new generation. His own experience becomes a solemn object lesson, emphasizing God's impartial justice and the absolute necessity of heeding His commands as they prepare to occupy the land promised to their ancestors.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The historical backdrop is the culmination of the forty-year wilderness wandering, a period primarily characterized by divine discipline for the generation that rebelled at Kadesh-Barnea and was subsequently condemned to die in the wilderness (cf. [Numbers 14:26-35](/numbers/14-26 "Numbers 14:26-35 - God's Judgment on the Rebellious Generation")). Moses' specific sin at Meribah—striking the rock twice instead of speaking to it, thereby failing to "sanctify" God in the eyes of the people (cf. [Numbers 20:12](/numbers/20-12 "Numbers 20:12 - God's Judgment on Moses"))—was a public act of disobedience by the nation's supreme spiritual leader. In ancient Near Eastern cultures, a leader's actions were often viewed as representative of the people, and their failures could have collective repercussions. The "good land" refers to Canaan, which was repeatedly promised to Abraham and his descendants as a perpetual inheritance (e.g., [Genesis 12:7](/genesis/12-7 "Genesis 12:7 - The Promise to Abraham")). This land was not merely a geographical location but the tangible fulfillment of God's covenant promises, signifying a place of rest, blessing, and abundant provision. Moses' exclusion from this land, therefore, was a profound symbol of the old covenant's limitations and the severe consequences of human failure, even for God's chosen mediator, in the face of divine promise.
* **Key Themes:** This verse profoundly contributes to several overarching themes pervasive throughout Deuteronomy and the Pentateuch. Firstly, it powerfully underscores **Divine Justice and Accountability**, demonstrating that God holds even His most faithful servants, like Moses, to an exacting and impartial standard. His judgment ensures that no one, regardless of their position or past service, is above the divine law, thereby reinforcing the sanctity of His commands and His absolute holiness. Secondly, the poignant phrase "for your sakes" highlights the **Weight of Corporate Sin and Interconnectedness**, illustrating how the persistent rebellion and unbelief of the community can profoundly impact their leaders, and how leaders, in turn, bear a unique responsibility that can lead to shared consequences. Moses' fate is inextricably intertwined with that of the rebellious wilderness generation, serving as a vivid reminder of the corporate dimension of the covenant relationship. Lastly, the emphasis on the "good land" as a **Divine Inheritance** reinforces God's unwavering faithfulness to His promises, even as He enforces discipline. It is a land "which the LORD thy God giveth thee," emphasizing its nature as a gracious gift, not something earned by human merit. This makes Moses' exclusion from this tangible fulfillment all the more poignant and serves as a stark warning against unbelief, echoing the broader narrative of the wilderness generation's failure to enter God's rest (cf. [Hebrews 3:7-19](/hebrews/3-7-19 "Hebrews 3:7-19 - Warning Against Unbelief and Disobedience")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Angry (Hebrew, _ʼânaph'_):** From H599, this word literally refers to the "nose" or "nostril," and by extension, "anger" due to the visible flaring of the nostrils during intense emotion. When attributed to [the LORD](/deuteronomy/4-21 "Deuteronomy 4:21 - The LORD's Anger"), it signifies His righteous indignation and holy displeasure against sin. It is not a capricious human emotion but a just and holy response to disobedience, particularly when His glory, character, or commands are disregarded. In this context, God's `ʼânaph` against Moses was a direct consequence of Moses' failure to sanctify Him before the people at Meribah (cf. [Numbers 20:12](/numbers/20-12 "Numbers 20:12 - God's Command to Moses at Meribah")), a public act that undermined God's holiness and authority.
* **Sware (Hebrew, _shâbaʻ'_):** From H7650, this verb denotes the act of taking an oath or swearing, often implying a solemn, binding, and unchangeable decree. When God "swears," it signifies the absolute certainty and irrevocability of His word and decision. Here, it emphasizes the finality of God's decision regarding Moses' exclusion from the Promised Land. This divine oath underscores the seriousness of Moses' transgression and the immutable nature of God's judgment, serving as an unalterable decree that even Moses, God's chosen mediator, could not overturn through intercession.
* **Good (Hebrew, _ṭôwb'_):** From H2896, this adjective, when describing the land, conveys far more than mere physical pleasantness or fertility. It signifies that the land is desirable, prosperous, and suitable as a blessed dwelling place, fulfilling God's promise of a land flowing with milk and honey. It carries profound connotations of divine favor, blessing, and covenant fulfillment. Moses' exclusion from this `ṭôwb` land, a tangible manifestation of God's covenant faithfulness and gracious provision, highlights the severity of the judgment and the profound loss associated with disobedience, even for one who had faithfully led the people to its very borders.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes the personal consequence for Moses while simultaneously attributing its underlying cause to the Israelites. God's anger, a righteous and just response to sin, was directed at Moses' act of disobedience at Meribah. However, the phrase "for your sakes" indicates that the persistent grumbling, rebellion, and unbelief of the people, which had provoked Moses' frustration, formed the immediate context and partial provocation for his sin. Thus, Moses' failure was not isolated but deeply intertwined with the corporate spiritual state of the community he led.
* **"and sware that I should not go over Jordan,"**: This specifies the precise nature of God's unchangeable decree. The Jordan River served as the final geographical barrier to the Promised Land, representing the threshold of their inheritance. God's oath, emphasized by "sware," signifies the absolute finality and immutability of this judgment. Moses, who had faithfully led the Israelites through the wilderness for forty years, was forbidden from completing the journey with them across this critical boundary.
* **"and that I should not go in unto that good land,"**: This reiterates and reinforces the previous clause, emphasizing the ultimate outcome of God's definitive decree: Moses' exclusion from the very land he had longed to enter and for which he had tirelessly labored to bring the people. The "good land" represents the culmination of God's promises, the tangible inheritance, and the place of rest and blessing God had prepared for His covenant people.
* **"which the LORD thy God giveth thee [for] an inheritance:"**: This final phrase starkly contrasts Moses' exclusion with the destiny of the new generation. The land is presented as a divine gift, an "inheritance" (Hebrew, _nachălâh'_ from H5159), freely given by [the LORD thy God](/deuteronomy/4-21 "Deuteronomy 4:21 - The LORD thy God"), their covenant God (H3068, H430). This highlights God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises despite human failure, and underscores that the land is not earned by human merit but is a gracious bestowal. This gracious giving makes Moses' inability to partake in it a profound and poignant symbol of the severe consequences of even a single act of disobedience against a holy God, especially for one in leadership.

#### Literary Devices
Deuteronomy 4:21 employs several powerful literary devices to convey its profound message. The verse utilizes **Irony**, as Moses, the quintessential deliverer and mediator of the covenant, is himself barred from entering the land of promise, a land he has tirelessly led his people towards. This serves as a stark reminder that even the most faithful and divinely appointed leaders are subject to God's impartial justice and the consequences of their own sin. **Emphasis** is achieved through the solemn declaration of God's oath ("sware") and the repetition of the prohibition ("should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land"), underscoring the absolute finality and certainty of the divine decree. Furthermore, the phrase "for your sakes" functions as a form of **Metonymy** or **Synecdoche**, where Moses' personal sin is presented as deeply intertwined with, and in some sense representative of, the corporate rebellion and unbelief of the entire generation. This highlights the profound interconnectedness and shared responsibility between leader and led within the covenant community. Finally, the "good land" itself serves as a powerful **Symbolism**, representing not just a physical territory but the fulfillment of God's covenant promises, His blessing, and the ultimate rest He provides for His people. Moses' exclusion from this symbolic rest foreshadows deeper theological truths about the limitations of the Law and the need for a different kind of leadership to bring true spiritual rest.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 4:21 is a profound theological statement on the nature of God, the gravity of sin, and the intricate dynamics of the covenant relationship. It vividly reveals God's absolute holiness, His unwavering justice, and His commitment to upholding His own standards, demonstrating that even His most intimate servants are not exempt from the consequences of disobedience. Moses' public sin at Meribah, though perhaps seemingly minor in human eyes, was a critical failure to sanctify God before the people, thereby misrepresenting His character, power, and authority. This verse underscores the exceptionally high standard to which leaders are held, as their actions and integrity have far-reaching implications for the community they serve. Furthermore, the phrase "for your sakes" points to the corporate dimension of sin and judgment; Moses, as the representative leader, bore consequences that were, in part, provoked by the persistent unbelief and rebellion of the people. This highlights the profound interconnectedness of the covenant community and the shared responsibility within it. Ultimately, the verse serves as a powerful and enduring warning against unbelief and disobedience, reminding all generations that entry into God's promised rest and full enjoyment of His blessings are conditioned upon faithful adherence to His word and reverence for His holy name.

* [Numbers 20:12](/numbers/20-12 "Numbers 20:12 - God's Judgment on Moses at Meribah")
* [Hebrews 3:18-19](/hebrews/3-18-19 "Hebrews 3:18-19 - Unbelief Prevents Entry into God's Rest")
* [Joshua 1:1-2](/joshua/1-1-2 "Joshua 1:1-2 - Joshua Commissioned to Lead Israel into the Land")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 4:21 offers timeless and sobering lessons for believers today, calling us to a profound reverence for God's holiness and a sober understanding of the gravity of disobedience. Moses, a man uniquely privileged to speak with God face to face, still faced severe consequences for a moment of impatience and misrepresentation of God's character. This should profoundly humble us, reminding us that no one, regardless of their spiritual standing or past faithfulness, is above God's law, and that even seemingly small acts of rebellion can have significant spiritual repercussions and impact our walk with God. For those in leadership within the church or any sphere of influence, this passage serves as an especially powerful reminder of the higher standard to which they are held. Leaders are entrusted as stewards of God's truth and His people, and their actions, attitudes, and words carry immense weight and influence. We are called to lead with unwavering integrity, profound humility, and consistent faithfulness, always seeking to glorify God in all that we do, recognizing that our failures can impact those we lead. Furthermore, the verse reminds us of the interconnectedness within the body of Christ; our actions, both individually and corporately, can affect others and impact our collective journey toward God's promises. We are to learn from the historical accounts of God's people, not to repeat the mistakes of unbelief and rebellion, but to press on in faith towards the ultimate inheritance God has prepared for us in Christ.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does Moses' exclusion from the Promised Land teach us about the nature of God's justice and holiness, especially in relation to those He uses mightily?**
* **How does the phrase "for your sakes" challenge our understanding of individual versus corporate responsibility and accountability in the Christian community?**
* **What specific areas of my life or leadership might be prone to the kind of impatience, self-reliance, or misrepresentation that led to Moses' consequence?**
* **How can we, as believers, ensure we are truly learning from the historical accounts of God's people, rather than repeating their errors of unbelief and disobedience?**

### FAQ

**Why was Moses' sin at Meribah considered so severe by God?**

Answer: Moses' sin at Meribah (cf. [Numbers 20:1-13](/numbers/20-1-13 "Numbers 20:1-13 - The Waters of Meribah")) was considered profoundly severe by God, despite appearing minor to human eyes, for several critical reasons. Firstly, it was an act of direct disobedience against a clear command from God. God specifically told Moses to *speak* to the rock to bring forth water, but Moses, in a moment of frustration and anger with the people's persistent grumbling, struck it twice. Secondly, and most critically, Moses failed to "sanctify" God in the eyes of the Israelites (cf. [Numbers 20:12](/numbers/20-12 "Numbers 20:12 - God's Judgment on Moses")). By striking the rock in anger and declaring "Must *we* bring you water out of this rock?", Moses effectively took the credit for himself and distorted God's character as the gracious, powerful, and patient provider. As the nation's supreme leader and the mediator of the covenant, Moses was God's chosen representative; his actions publicly misrepresented God's holiness, power, and patience to a people who desperately needed to see God's glory and trust His word. This public failure by such a prominent figure was a serious affront to God's honor and undermined the very purpose of the wilderness journey: to teach the people absolute trust and obedience to [the LORD](/deuteronomy/4-21 "Deuteronomy 4:21 - The LORD's Authority").

**Does God punish leaders for the sins of their people?**

Answer: Deuteronomy 4:21 states that God was angry with Moses "for your sakes," implying a connection between the people's actions and Moses' consequence. This does not mean God punishes leaders *for* the sins of others in a direct, substitutionary sense, but rather highlights the profound interconnectedness and shared accountability within a covenant community, especially between a leader and their flock. Moses' sin at Meribah was ultimately his own personal disobedience, stemming from his impatience and failure to fully trust God in the face of the people's rebellion. However, the *context* of the people's persistent grumbling, unbelief, and provocation certainly contributed to Moses' frustration and the specific circumstances of his sin. Leaders bear a unique and weighty responsibility because their actions have a broader impact; their failures can be exacerbated by, or contribute to, the spiritual state of the community. Therefore, while Moses was held accountable for his personal disobedience, the phrase "for your sakes" underscores that his leadership, and even his judgment, were inextricably linked to the spiritual journey and failures of the entire generation he was leading towards the Promised Land (cf. [Numbers 14:29-30](/numbers/14-29-30 "Numbers 14:29-30 - The Fate of the Wilderness Generation")).

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 4:21, with its poignant account of Moses' exclusion from the Promised Land, powerfully foreshadows the inherent limitations of the Old Covenant and the ultimate, indispensable need for a greater Deliverer. Moses, who faithfully led Israel through the wilderness and mediated the Law, could not bring them into the final rest of the physical land because of his own sin and the inherent inability of the Law itself to grant perfect righteousness or ultimate access to God's presence. The Law, though holy and good, through Moses, revealed sin and condemned it, but it could not provide the means for ultimate entry into God's perfect, spiritual rest (cf. [Galatians 3:24](/galatians/3-24 "Galatians 3:24 - The Law as a Guardian Leading to Christ")). This is precisely where Jesus Christ provides the ultimate and glorious fulfillment. Unlike Moses, Jesus Christ perfectly obeyed God in every respect, living a sinless life (cf. [Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Jesus, Our Sinless High Priest")). He is the true and greater Moses, who not only leads His people out of the bondage of sin and death but also *into* the promised spiritual inheritance. Through His perfect life, atoning death on the cross, and victorious resurrection, Jesus provides the true and eternal rest that the physical land of Canaan could only symbolize. He is the one who enables us to "draw near with confidence to the throne of grace" (cf. [Hebrews 4:16](/hebrews/4-16 "Hebrews 4:16 - Drawing Near to the Throne of Grace")) and enter into God's eternal rest, which is found exclusively in Him (cf. [Matthew 11:28-30](/matthew/11-28-30 "Matthew 11:28-30 - Jesus Offers Rest")). While Moses could not cross the Jordan, Christ has triumphantly crossed the ultimate barrier of sin and death, opening the way to God's presence and an eternal inheritance that is incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading (cf. [1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Incorruptible Inheritance")). He is not merely a leader *to* the promised land, but the very **way** (cf. [John 14:6](/john/14-6 "John 14:6 - Jesus, the Way, the Truth, and the Life")) and the **rest** itself (cf. [Hebrews 4:9-10](/hebrews/4-9-10 "Hebrews 4:9-10 - The Sabbath Rest for the People of God")).

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

Deuteronomy 1:37

Also the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither.

Numbers 20:12

And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.

Psalms 106:32

They angered [him] also at the waters of strife, so that it went ill with Moses for their sakes:

Psalms 106:33

Because they provoked his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.

Deuteronomy 3:26

But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter.

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.