Deuteronomy 31 14

Deuteronomy 31:14 kjv

And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of the congregation, that I may give him a charge. And Moses and Joshua went, and presented themselves in the tabernacle of the congregation.

Deuteronomy 31:14 nkjv

Then the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, the days approach when you must die; call Joshua, and present yourselves in the tabernacle of meeting, that I may inaugurate him." So Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves in the tabernacle of meeting.

Deuteronomy 31:14 niv

The LORD said to Moses, "Now the day of your death is near. Call Joshua and present yourselves at the tent of meeting, where I will commission him." So Moses and Joshua came and presented themselves at the tent of meeting.

Deuteronomy 31:14 esv

And the LORD said to Moses, "Behold, the days approach when you must die. Call Joshua and present yourselves in the tent of meeting, that I may commission him." And Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves in the tent of meeting.

Deuteronomy 31:14 nlt

Then the LORD said to Moses, "The time has come for you to die. Call Joshua and present yourselves at the Tabernacle, so that I may commission him there." So Moses and Joshua went and presented themselves at the Tabernacle.

Deuteronomy 31 verses

Deuteronomy 31 14 Meaning

Deuteronomy 31:14 describes a pivotal divine command given to Moses before his death: the LORD instructs Moses to bring Joshua into the Tent of Meeting, the sacred space where God communed with Israel. This command signals the imminent transfer of leadership from Moses, the great law-giver, to Joshua, his chosen successor, who will lead Israel into the Promised Land. The purpose is for the LORD Himself to "inaugurate" or "commission" Joshua, signifying a direct divine appointment and empowerment for his new role. It underscores God's active involvement in the continuity of leadership for His people.

Deuteronomy 31 14 Context

Deuteronomy 31 serves as a crucial turning point in the biblical narrative. Moses, at 120 years old, has delivered God's law and instructions to the generation poised to enter the Promised Land. Having led Israel for forty years, his death is imminent, and this chapter prepares the nation for his departure. The context of verse 14 is Moses' final days of leadership. He has just finished instructing the Israelites and the priests to read the law every seven years (vv. 9-13). The LORD's command in verse 14 highlights the seamless, divinely orchestrated transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua, emphasizing God's continuous presence and guidance for His people. It ensures that even with the change of a foundational human leader, God's plan for Israel remains unbroken. Historically, in the ancient Near East, the transfer of power often involved struggle or human intrigue; however, this biblical account demonstrates a unique, peaceful, and divine appointment, validating the authority of the incoming leader and providing assurance to the people that their new leadership is sanctioned by their God, YHWH.

Deuteronomy 31 14 Word analysis

• Then the LORD: Hebrew: וַיֹּאמֶר יְהֹוָה (Vayomer YHWH). This phrase consistently introduces a direct divine declaration or command. "YHWH" (the LORD) is God's covenant name, signifying His personal relationship with Israel and His unchanging faithfulness. This underscores that the initiation and authority for this significant leadership transition come directly from God, not from human planning or aspiration.
• said to Moses: Indicates a direct, personal communication, reflecting Moses' unique relationship and access to God (Ex 33:11).
• "Behold, your days approach that you must die;": Hebrew: הֵן קָרְבוּ יָמֶיךָ לָמוּת (hen karvu yameikha lamut). This is a stark and direct divine pronouncement of Moses' approaching death. "Karvu" (from קָרַב, karav) means "draw near" or "approach," indicating immediacy. This is not a suggestion but a decree, reminding that even the greatest human leaders are mortal, emphasizing God's ultimate sovereignty over life and death (Ps 90:3-12). It underscores the temporary nature of human leadership versus the eternal nature of God's plan.
• "call Joshua,": Hebrew: קְרָא אֶת־יְהוֹשֻׁעַ (qera et Yehoshua). A divine imperative for Moses to actively involve his chosen successor. "Joshua" (יְהוֹשֻׁעַ, Yehoshua) means "YHWH is salvation" or "YHWH saves," a prophetic name for the one who would lead Israel into the Promised Land. This calling is public and official.
• "and present yourselves": Hebrew: וְהִתְיַצְּבוּ (vehit'yatztzevu). The Hithpael (reflexive) form of the verb יָצַב (yatzav), "to stand" or "to place," meaning "to stand yourselves" or "to present yourselves." This implies a solemn, intentional act of appearing before the LORD. Both Moses and Joshua are commanded to stand together, signifying the unity in the transition and God's acknowledgment of both leaders. It implies readiness for a sacred moment.
• "in the tabernacle of meeting,": Hebrew: בְּאֹהֶל מוֹעֵד (be'ohel mo'ed). The "Tent of Meeting" was the consecrated space where God's presence resided among His people and where He directly communicated His will (Ex 29:42-43; 33:7). Choosing this specific location emphasizes the sacred and divine nature of Joshua's inauguration, marking it as a ceremony established by God Himself, far above any human election. It's the place of divine appointment, revelation, and worship.
• "that I may inaugurate him.": Hebrew: וַאֲצַוֶּנּוּ (va'atzavennu). The verb צוה (tzavah) means "to command," "to appoint," "to charge," or "to commission." The implication here is not merely giving commands, but officially installing or consecrating Joshua into his new office with divine authority. It's an act of divine transfer of authority and specific divine directives for his future role. This signifies God empowering Joshua for his leadership (Dt 31:23; Jos 1:1-9) and establishes his authority to the people.
• "your days approach that you must die; call Joshua, and present yourselves": This phrasing highlights the essential theme of continuity. Even as the old leader is departing, the new one is simultaneously being prepared and validated by divine authority. God's purpose endures beyond individual lives.
• "in the tabernacle of meeting, that I may inaugurate him.": This specific sequence shows that divine commissioning happens in God's chosen presence and by His direct command. It is not a casual transfer but a solemn, divinely-sanctioned ordination.

Deuteronomy 31 14 Bonus section

• The transition from Moses to Joshua, initiated in this verse, sets a pattern for leadership succession in the Bible: divine election, public commissioning (often with a tangible sign or ceremony), and endowment with spiritual authority. This differs from hereditary succession alone or human political maneuvers.
• The immediate command for Moses to die, alongside the command to bring Joshua, underscores a crucial theological point: human life, no matter how influential or divinely appointed, is finite. Only God's plan and His covenant are eternal and unbroken. The human leader is a servant and instrument, not the ultimate source of authority or deliverance.
• This verse can be seen as a fulfillment of Moses' earlier prayer in Numbers 27:15-17, where he asks the LORD to appoint a leader who can lead the people "that the congregation of the LORD may not be like sheep which have no shepherd." God's answer here is precise and thorough.

Deuteronomy 31 14 Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:14 stands as a profound moment illustrating divine sovereignty over leadership and succession within God's people. It reveals that the changing of leaders, even foundational ones like Moses, is not a disruptive event for God's purposes but a controlled transition meticulously planned and executed by Him. The direct address from the LORD to Moses, unequivocally stating his approaching death, serves not as a sorrowful pronouncement but as the necessary prelude for the next phase of His divine plan for Israel. By commanding Moses to "call Joshua" and "present yourselves" together in the Tent of Meeting, God orchestrates a public and profoundly sacred handover of authority. This ensures Joshua's legitimacy and reassures Israel that his leadership is directly sanctioned by YHWH. The Tabernacle, as the designated meeting place between God and humanity, lends immense weight and sanctity to this inauguration, signifying that Joshua's commission is not merely human consent but a divine act of empowering and giving charge. This divine initiative removes any doubt about the source of Joshua's future authority, providing stability and confidence for Israel's daunting task of entering and conquering Canaan. It shows God's commitment to equipping His chosen leaders for His ongoing work (Ex 4:12, Php 4:13).