Deuteronomy 34 5

Deuteronomy 34:5 kjv

So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.

Deuteronomy 34:5 nkjv

So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.

Deuteronomy 34:5 niv

And Moses the servant of the LORD died there in Moab, as the LORD had said.

Deuteronomy 34:5 esv

So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD,

Deuteronomy 34:5 nlt

So Moses, the servant of the LORD, died there in the land of Moab, just as the LORD had said.

Deuteronomy 34 verses

Deuteronomy 34 5 Meaning

Deuteronomy 34:5 states that Moses, the devoted servant of the LORD, died there in the land of Moab, as directly decreed and enacted by the LORD Himself. This verse marks the conclusion of Moses' earthly life and leadership, emphasizing divine sovereignty over all life, including that of His most faithful prophet, and God's absolute adherence to His own word concerning Moses' inability to enter the Promised Land.

Deuteronomy 34 5 Context

Deuteronomy 34 is the concluding chapter of the book of Deuteronomy and the entire Pentateuch. It recounts the final moments of Moses' life, detailing how the LORD allowed him to see the Promised Land from Mount Nebo before he died. This verse directly precedes the account of Moses' burial by God and the subsequent transfer of leadership to Joshua. The historical context is critical: Israel is poised to enter Canaan after forty years of wilderness wandering. Moses, who had faithfully led them, was prevented from entering the land due to his act of disobedience at Meribah (Numbers 20). Thus, his death marks the end of an era of direct prophetic leadership and the transition to a new phase of conquest and settlement under Joshua, symbolizing that the Old Covenant leadership, though essential, cannot bring God's people into their ultimate rest.

Deuteronomy 34 5 Word analysis

• So: This transitional word (Hebrew וַיָּמׇת, vayyāmot, 'and he died') connects Moses' death to the preceding narrative where God showed him the Promised Land and reaffirmed His command for Moses to die. It signifies the direct consequence and fulfillment of God's word.
• Moses: (מֹשֶׁה, Mosheh) - The unparalleled leader, lawgiver, and prophet of Israel, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt and establish His covenant with them. His personal name here marks the culmination of his specific earthly role.
• the servant of the LORD: (עֶבֶד יְהוָה, 'eved YHWH) - This is a significant title of high honor and intimacy with God. ’Eved implies deep devotion, complete submission, and entrusted responsibility, often reflecting a position of trust or ministry. While it can mean "slave," in this context, it signifies one uniquely called and empowered by God to carry out His purposes. Moses bore this title frequently (e.g., Josh 1:1, Ps 105:26), emphasizing his faithfulness and the divine origin of his authority. It is later applied to other figures like Joshua (Judg 2:8) and figures representing Israel (Isa 41:8-9), culminating in the Servant of the LORD passages referring to the Messiah (Isaiah 42, 53).
• died: (וַיָּמׇת, vayyāmot) - A simple yet profound statement. It signifies the end of life and mortality common to all humanity. However, for Moses, it implies a divinely appointed death, a fulfillment of God's decree, not merely a natural event. The unusual circumstances of his death (no illness, vigor undiminished, no known human burial site) underline its uniqueness.
• there: This refers to the specific location previously mentioned in verses 1 and 4, the land of Moab, particularly from Mount Nebo, or the peak of Pisgah. It ties the immediate fulfillment to the precise geographic instruction given by God.
• in the land of Moab: (בְּאֶרֶץ מוֹאָב, be'eretz Mo'av) - A precise geographical marker. This land was east of the Jordan River, outside the Promised Land that Israel was about to inherit. Moses' death here permanently marked the boundary he was not permitted to cross while living, underscoring the consequence of his disobedience.
• according to the word of the LORD: (עַל־פִּי יְהוָה, 'al-pî YHWH) - This is a powerful and crucial phrase, often translated as "at the mouth of the LORD" or "by the command of the LORD." It doesn't merely mean "as God prophesied" but suggests God's direct, personal, and active involvement in Moses' death. This phrase emphasizes God's absolute sovereignty, not only in granting life but also in taking it, even from His greatest servant. It fulfills the divine judgment issued at Meribah (Num 20:12) and highlights the fidelity of God to His own pronouncements.

Deuteronomy 34 5 Bonus section

The specific Hebrew phrase עַל־פִּי יְהוָה ('al-pî YHWH - "according to the mouth of the LORD") is unique for describing death in the Bible. It distinguishes Moses' death from a simple natural demise or even a punishment; it was a deliberate act by God Himself. This phrase appears elsewhere regarding God's direct commands, often involving the execution of His will. For example, specific movements of the Israelites in the wilderness were על פי יהוה (Num 9:18, 9:20), indicating direct divine guidance. For Moses, it means his death was as much a divinely orchestrated event as was his calling and leadership. It highlights the intimacy and direct communication Moses had with God throughout his life, extended even to the very manner and moment of his passing. The unusual burial by God himself (Deut 34:6) further accentuates the extraordinary nature of Moses' end, preventing any potential human veneration of his grave and ensuring that only God received glory. Moses, through his death, ultimately pointed to God's faithfulness and absolute control.

Deuteronomy 34 5 Commentary

Deuteronomy 34:5 is a poignant and pivotal verse. It signifies the close of an unparalleled era in Israel's history under the direct leadership of Moses. The description of Moses as "the servant of the LORD" is paramount; it highlights his unique, divinely ordained relationship and role, yet simultaneously underscores his human subservience to God's ultimate will. His death "according to the word of the LORD" stresses God's absolute sovereignty and unwavering adherence to His own commands and judgments, even for His most cherished and faithful servant. It serves as a stark reminder of the gravity of divine word and consequences, showing that even minor disobedience, in the context of high responsibility, yields the proclaimed outcome. This verse not only confirms the fulfillment of God's judgment regarding Moses' entry into the land but also prophetically anticipates the new leadership of Joshua, representing the shift from the old covenant era to the conquest of the Promised Land, under new leadership who would bring God's people into their temporary rest, prefiguring Christ who brings His people into ultimate rest.