Deuteronomy 34 1

Deuteronomy 34:1 kjv

And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan,

Deuteronomy 34:1 nkjv

Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is across from Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land of Gilead as far as Dan,

Deuteronomy 34:1 niv

Then Moses climbed Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab to the top of Pisgah, across from Jericho. There the LORD showed him the whole land?from Gilead to Dan,

Deuteronomy 34:1 esv

Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which is opposite Jericho. And the LORD showed him all the land, Gilead as far as Dan,

Deuteronomy 34:1 nlt

Then Moses went up to Mount Nebo from the plains of Moab and climbed Pisgah Peak, which is across from Jericho. And the LORD showed him the whole land, from Gilead as far as Dan;

Deuteronomy 34 verses

Deuteronomy 34 1 Meaning

Deuteronomy 34:1 describes the pivotal moment when Moses, as commanded by the Lord, ascends Mount Nebo to its highest point, Pisgah. From this elevated position, the Lord supernaturally grants him a panoramic view of the entire Promised Land, stretching from Gilead in the east to Dan in the far north, encompassing the land Israel was about to inherit. This event marks the conclusion of Moses' leadership, his last earthly act before his death, serving as a testament to God's faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promises despite human limitations and consequences for disobedience.

Deuteronomy 34 1 Context

Deuteronomy 34:1 introduces the climactic conclusion of Moses' remarkable life and ministry. It follows his final discourses, blessings, and instructions to Israel, encapsulating the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua, and marking the end of the Pentateuch. The Israelites are encamped on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, ready to enter the Promised Land after forty years of wilderness wandering. Moses, 120 years old, has been divinely informed he will not enter Canaan due to his disobedience at the waters of Meribah (Num 20:10-13). This ascent to Mount Nebo is God's final, specific directive to Moses before his death, allowing him to witness, from afar, the full scope of God's covenant faithfulness regarding the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The mention of Jericho being opposite is highly significant, as it was to be the first city Israel conquered, symbolizing the commencement of the physical fulfillment of God's land promises.

Deuteronomy 34 1 Word analysis

• Then: Hebrew: וַיַּעַל (va-ya'al - and he went up). This connective particle denotes immediate sequence, marking the final stage of Moses' earthly journey after his preceding blessings and prophecies. It signifies the commencement of the divinely orchestrated farewell.
• Moses: Hebrew: מֹשֶׁה (Mosheh). The pivotal leader and prophet through whom the Law was given, now concluding his earthly commission. His personal history and the destiny of Israel converge in this moment.
• went up: Hebrew: עָלָה (ʿalah). Implies an intentional ascent, not merely a stroll. This action is not for exploration but for a divinely purposed revelation, echoing a sacrificial ascent (e.g., to an altar) or a spiritual pilgrimage.
• from the plains of Moab: Hebrew: עַרְבוֹת מוֹאָב (ʿarvoth Mo'av). The flat desert-steppe region east of the Jordan River, opposite Jericho. This was Israel's last encampment before crossing into Canaan, marking the literal boundary between the wilderness and the promise.
• to Mount Nebo: Hebrew: הַר נְבוֹ (Har Nevo). A specific peak in the Abarim range. This mountain was chosen by God as the precise point for Moses' final vision, holding both a physical vantage and spiritual significance as the site of Moses' burial.
• to the top of Pisgah: Hebrew: רֹאשׁ הַפִּסְגָּה (Rosh ha-Pisgah). Pisgah refers to a specific summit or "head" of Nebo, indicating the highest possible vantage point. It emphasizes the complete and unobstructed view granted by God.
• which is opposite Jericho: Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר עַל־פְּנֵי יְרֵחוֹ (asher al-p'ney Yerichoh). Geographically precise, anchoring the vision to a specific landmark and indicating the imminent conquest site. Jericho (יְרִיחוֹ, Yericho) was strategically vital and symbolically the "first fruits" of Canaanite cities to fall to Israel, affirming the reality of the impending inheritance.
• and the Lord showed him: Hebrew: וַיַּרְאֵהוּ יְהוָה (va-yar'ehu Yahweh). This is a crucial phrase. "Lord" (YHWH), God's covenant name, underscores His active involvement and faithfulness. "Showed" (רָאָה, ra'ah - hiphil stem) means "caused to see." It indicates a supernatural enablement, a divinely enhanced vision beyond normal human sight, to grasp the entirety of the Promised Land.
• all the land: Hebrew: כָּל־הָאָרֶץ (kol-ha'aretz). Emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the vision, not just a partial glimpse. It represents the full scope of God's covenant promise for their inheritance, encompassing its geographic extent.
• Gilead as far as Dan: Hebrew: הַגִּלְעָד עַד־דָּן (ha-Gil'ad ʿad-Dan). These specify the geographical extremities of the land seen by Moses.
  • Gilead: A fertile region east of the Jordan (already partly settled by Reuben, Gad, and half-Manasseh), symbolizing the land Israel had already secured and would further possess.
  • Dan: Eventually the northernmost city/boundary of Israel ("from Dan to Beersheba"), implying the vision extended to the far north. This specific demarcation highlights the vastness and completeness of the territory promised and revealed.

Deuteronomy 34 1 Bonus section

• The divine enabling of Moses’ vision, despite his age (120 years, with undimmed eyes – Deut 34:7), points to God’s direct intervention. This was not a purely natural vista but a revelation facilitated by God’s power.
• Moses seeing the land from afar but not entering it is a theological motif echoed in Hebrews 11, where patriarchs "died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance." This connects Moses’ experience to a broader theme of faith's walk, where sometimes the promise is seen, even if its full inheritance awaits.
• The exact boundaries of the Promised Land, including "Gilead as far as Dan," confirm the geographical scope intended by God's covenant, a blueprint for Israel's future inheritance and a challenge for future generations to fully occupy.
• This verse represents a profound turning point, ending the era of Moses as the sole leader and foreshadowing Joshua's leadership, which would bring the people into the promised inheritance.

Deuteronomy 34 1 Commentary

Deuteronomy 34:1 sets the stage for one of the most poignant scenes in biblical history. It marks Moses' final active obedience to God's command. His ascent to Mount Nebo and the Pisgah summit, while a consequence of his earlier failure to honor God fully at Meribah, also reveals the depth of God's grace and faithfulness. Though forbidden from physically entering, Moses is granted an unparalleled, supernaturally clear panoramic vision of the land that flows with milk and honey. This vision is not merely for his personal consolation but serves as a divine attestation that God's promises of the land, spoken to the patriarchs centuries before, were steadfast and nearing complete fulfillment. The precision in specifying "Gilead as far as Dan" underscores the literal and expansive nature of this divine pledge. It demonstrates that God's plans proceed even when key human instruments are set aside, reinforcing that His covenant promises are sovereignly enacted by Him. Moses’ last view reaffirms the certainty of God's word and His meticulous attention to His chosen people’s destiny.