Numbers 27:13

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

And when thou hast seen {H7200} it, thou also shalt be gathered {H622} unto thy people {H5971}, as Aaron {H175} thy brother {H251} was gathered {H622}.

After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, just as Aharon your brother was gathered;

After you have seen it, you too will be gathered to your people, as your brother Aaron was;

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

Commentary

Numbers 27:13 delivers a solemn and significant message to Moses, confirming his impending death before the Israelites enter the Promised Land. This verse follows God's instruction for Moses to ascend Mount Abarim to view the land, a privilege granted despite the severe consequence of his past disobedience.

Context

This verse is part of a crucial passage detailing the final instructions given to Moses before his death. In the preceding verse, Numbers 27:12, God commands Moses to go up Mount Abarim to see the land that He has given to the children of Israel. The reason Moses would not enter the land was established earlier due to his act of disobedience at Meribah, where he struck the rock instead of speaking to it as God commanded (Numbers 20:12). This verse serves as a direct parallel to the death of his brother, Aaron, who also died before entering the land due to his own disobedience (Numbers 20:23-29).

Key Themes

  • Divine Sovereignty and Justice: The verse underscores God's absolute authority and justice, even towards His most devoted servants like Moses. Despite Moses' long and faithful service, the consequences of his disobedience at Meribah remained.
  • Mortality and Succession: It highlights the inevitability of death for all, even great leaders. This announcement of Moses' impending death sets the stage for the crucial discussion about his successor, Joshua, in the verses that follow (Numbers 27:18-23).
  • The Promise Fulfilled (in part): While Moses himself would not enter, the promise of the land to Israel would still be fulfilled. God allowed Moses to see the land, offering a glimpse of the covenant promise being realized for his people (Deuteronomy 34:1-4).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "gathered unto thy people" (Hebrew: ืึถืœึพืขึทืžึผึถื™ืšึธ ื ึถืึฑืกึทืคึฐืชึผึธ 'el-'ammeykha ne'esaphta) is a common biblical idiom for death, signifying joining one's ancestors in the realm of the departed. It implies a continuation of some form of existence beyond physical life, connecting the deceased to their lineage and the community of believers who have passed on. It is not merely a burial but an understanding of joining the collective "people" of God in the afterlife.

Practical Application

Numbers 27:13 offers several enduring lessons:

  • Accountability: Even those in positions of great spiritual authority are accountable to God for their actions. Obedience, even in seemingly small matters, is paramount.
  • Grace and Justice: God's justice is unwavering, yet His grace is evident in allowing Moses to see the Promised Land, a final act of privilege for a faithful servant, even as the consequence of sin was upheld.
  • Leadership Transition: The peaceful and divinely ordained transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua provides a model for succession planning in any sphere of life, emphasizing that God raises up leaders for His purposes.
  • Hope Beyond Death: The concept of being "gathered unto thy people" offers a glimpse into the ancient Israelite understanding of life beyond the grave, pointing to a hopeful reunion with those who have gone before in faith.
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Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Numbers 31:2

    Avenge the children of Israel of the Midianites: afterward shalt thou be gathered unto thy people.

  • Deuteronomy 10:6

    And the children of Israel took their journey from Beeroth of the children of Jaakan to Mosera: there Aaron died, and there he was buried; and Eleazar his son ministered in the priest's office in his stead.

  • Genesis 25:8

    Then Abraham gave up the ghost, and died in a good old age, an old man, and full [of years]; and was gathered to his people.

  • Genesis 25:17

    And these [are] the years of the life of Ishmael, an hundred and thirty and seven years: and he gave up the ghost and died; and was gathered unto his people.

  • Deuteronomy 32:50

    And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people:

  • Numbers 33:38

    And Aaron the priest went up into mount Hor at the commandment of the LORD, and died there, in the fortieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the first [day] of the fifth month.

  • Numbers 20:24

    Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against my word at the water of Meribah.
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