Deuteronomy 32:48

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

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

That same day ADONAI said to Moshe,

On that same day the LORD said to Moses,

And Jehovah spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying,

Commentary

Deuteronomy 32:48 marks a pivotal moment in the narrative of Moses' life and the history of Israel. It serves as a direct, solemn introduction to God's final instructions to His faithful servant before his death.

Context

This verse immediately follows the conclusion of the Song of Moses, a powerful and extensive prophetic poem that recounted God's faithfulness and Israel's past and future transgressions. Having delivered this profound message and urged the people to heed God's words, Moses is now addressed directly by the LORD. The phrase "that selfsame day" emphasizes the immediacy and significance of the divine command that follows, setting the stage for Moses' final act of obedience: ascending Mount Nebo to view the Promised Land before his death.

Key Themes

  • Divine Communication: The verse highlights the direct and personal nature of God's revelation to His chosen leaders. It underscores the fact that God initiates and directs His purposes.
  • Sovereign Command: God's word is presented as an immediate and authoritative directive, to be obeyed without question.
  • Transition and Legacy: This command initiates the final phase of Moses' leadership, preparing the way for Joshua to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. It speaks to the divine orchestration of leadership transitions.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "that selfsame day" (Hebrew: b'etzem hayyom hazeh) is a significant idiomatic expression in the Old Testament, denoting a specific, momentous, and often decisive point in time. It emphasizes the immediacy and certainty of the divine action or command. This phrase is used in other critical biblical moments, such as the day Noah entered the ark and the day of the Exodus, underscoring the gravity and divine appointment of the events unfolding.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 32:48 reminds us that God's plan unfolds according to His perfect timing and through His direct commands. It encourages believers to be attentive to God's voice and to respond with immediate obedience, even when the path ahead involves difficult transitions or the culmination of a long season of service. Moses' example of faithfulness until the very end, even in the face of his own mortality, serves as a powerful testament to the importance of heeding every word that proceeds from the mouth of the LORD.

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Cross-References

  • Numbers 27:12 (2 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.

  • Numbers 27:13 (2 votes)

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