Deuteronomy 4:21 kjv
Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, and sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance:
Deuteronomy 4:21 nkjv
Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, and swore that I would not cross over the Jordan, and that I would not enter the good land which the LORD your God is giving you as an inheritance.
Deuteronomy 4:21 niv
The LORD was angry with me because of you, and he solemnly swore that I would not cross the Jordan and enter the good land the LORD your God is giving you as your inheritance.
Deuteronomy 4:21 esv
Furthermore, the LORD was angry with me because of you, and he swore that I should not cross the Jordan, and that I should not enter the good land that the LORD your God is giving you for an inheritance.
Deuteronomy 4:21 nlt
"But the LORD was angry with me because of you. He vowed that I would not cross the Jordan River into the good land the LORD your God is giving you as your special possession.
Deuteronomy 4 21 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Num 20:12 | But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you have not believed me..." | Moses' sin at Meribah and its consequence |
| Num 20:13 | These are the waters of Meribah, because the sons of Israel contended... | The people's contention leading to Moses' fall |
| Num 27:12-14 | Then the Lord said to Moses, "Go up to this mountain Abarim... because... | God reiterates Moses' exclusion |
| Dt 1:37 | "The Lord was angry with me also on your account..." | Moses confirming anger "on their account" |
| Dt 3:26 | "But the Lord was angry with me on your account, and would not listen..." | Moses reiterating the reason |
| Dt 32:51 | "...because you broke faith with Me among the sons of Israel..." | Details of Moses' breach of faith |
| Ps 106:32-33 | They also provoked Him to wrath at the waters of Meribah, and so it went.. | Corroborates the Meribah incident's cause |
| Heb 3:7-11 | ...Today if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as when they... | Warning against hardening hearts like Meribah |
| Heb 4:6-7 | Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it... Do not harden your... | Continuing the warning about entering rest |
| Ex 6:8 | "I will bring you to the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac..." | God's oath concerning the Promised Land |
| Ex 32:10 | "Now then let Me alone, that My anger may burn against them and that..." | God's anger at the people's rebellion |
| Dt 9:7 | "Remember, do not forget how you provoked the Lord your God to wrath..." | Israel's history of rebellion |
| Dt 9:20 | "The Lord was angry enough with Aaron to destroy him..." | God's anger at leaders' failings |
| Isa 40:8 | The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God stands forever | God's unchanging word |
| Gen 13:15 | for all the land which you see, I will give to you and to your descendants. | Original promise of the land |
| Josh 1:2 | "Moses My servant is dead; now therefore arise, cross this Jordan..." | Joshua inheriting the task of leading them in |
| Jn 1:17 | For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through | Moses as law-giver; Christ fulfilling |
| Gal 3:19 | Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions... | Law revealing sin |
| 1 Cor 10:5-10 | Nevertheless, with most of them God was not well-pleased; for they were... | Lessons from Israel's wilderness wanderings |
| Phil 2:5-8 | Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus... humbled | Contrasts Moses' falter with Christ's humility |
| Heb 12:29 | for our God is a consuming fire. | Reminder of God's holy anger |
| Num 14:11 | The Lord said to Moses, "How long will this people spurn Me... | Israel's persistent unbelief and provoking God |
| Jer 3:19 | "Then I said, 'How I would set you among My sons And give you a pleasant.. | The concept of "good land" and inheritance |
| Jas 1:13-15 | Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am being tempted by God"... but his.. | Sin originates from desires, bringing death |
Deuteronomy 4 verses
Deuteronomy 4 21 Meaning
Deuteronomy 4:21 conveys Moses' explanation to the Israelites as to why he would not be allowed to enter the Promised Land. He attributes the Lord's anger toward him and the subsequent divine oath regarding his exclusion to the Israelites' contentious behavior and lack of faith. This served as a potent lesson, linking his fate to their actions and highlighting the severity of disobedience and the inviolability of God's word.
Deuteronomy 4 21 Context
Deuteronomy is Moses' final address to the new generation of Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab before they entered the Promised Land. Chapters 1-4 provide a historical overview, recounting their journey from Horeb to their current location. Deuteronomy 4:21 falls within Moses' impassioned plea for obedience to God's commandments, warning against idolatry and apostasy. In this section, Moses uses his own exclusion from the land as a somber illustration of the gravity of disobedience, specifically tying it back to the incident at Meribah (Num 20) where he struck the rock instead of speaking to it, failing to hallow God in the people's eyes. He highlights that even he, God's chosen leader, faced severe consequences, thus emphasizing the importance of their future fidelity to the covenant in the land they were about to inherit.
Deuteronomy 4 21 Word analysis
- Furthermore (
aph- אף): This connective word intensifies the preceding statement (referencing God's rescue from the iron furnace in Dt 4:20). It introduces an additional, weighty point that is directly linked to the past experiences. - the Lord (
YHWH- יהוה): Refers to the personal, covenant name of God. This highlights the intimate and personal nature of God's interaction with Moses and His unwavering adherence to His own divine standards, even with His chosen servant. - was angry (
qatsaph- קצף) with me: Indicates God's strong displeasure or indignation. This was not a light emotion but a profound reaction to Moses' act of misrepresenting God's holiness (Num 20:12) which sprang from the stress and provocation by the people. - because of you (
b'gellal-chem- בִּגְלַלְכֶם): This phrase explicitly connects Moses' divine punishment to the Israelites. While Moses himself erred, their incessant grumbling and contention (as at Meribah) were the immediate catalyst and background, contributing to Moses' momentary frustration and failure to perfectly hallow God. It served as a stark lesson for them. - and He swore (
vayishba- וַיִּשָּׁבַע): Signifies a binding and irrevocable divine oath. God’s sworn word is eternal and unchangeable (Ps 89:34-35; Heb 6:13-18), reinforcing the certainty and permanence of Moses' exclusion as a decreed consequence. - that I would not cross the Jordan: Refers to the physical barrier marking the entrance to the Promised Land. This literal crossing was the final step of the exodus generation into their inheritance. Moses' exclusion meant he would not partake in this culmination of the wilderness journey.
- and would not enter the good land (
'eretz tovah- אֶרֶץ טוֹבָה): "Good land" describes the Promised Land as not just fertile, but intrinsically good, reflecting God's nature and faithfulness in fulfilling His covenant promise. Moses, despite faithfully leading them for 40 years, was denied entry. - which the Lord your God is giving (
nothen- נֹתֵן) you as an inheritance (nachalah- נַחֲלָה): Emphasizes that the land is a divine gift and a covenant fulfillment. "Inheritance" signifies a permanent possession, passed down as a right or legacy, indicating its lasting nature for the Israelites, directly from God's hand.
Deuteronomy 4 21 Bonus section
The narrative of Moses' exclusion highlights the vicarious aspect of leadership and covenant in the Old Testament, where one's sin, though personal, can also have ripple effects and implications for the collective. It presents a challenging paradox: Moses, the great law-giver and mediator, suffers a significant penalty related to the sins of the people he leads. This sets a precedent for understanding the perfect Mediator, Jesus Christ, who perfectly hallowed God and perfectly interceded, thereby entering the true spiritual inheritance on behalf of His people. Moses, who embodies the Law, could not lead Israel into rest, signifying the Law's inability to bring ultimate salvation; that privilege belonged to Joshua (whose name is linguistically related to Jesus) who led the people into the land, and ultimately to Jesus Christ who leads believers into eternal rest and inheritance.
Deuteronomy 4 21 Commentary
Deuteronomy 4:21 powerfully conveys a pivotal moment in Moses' life and a profound theological lesson for Israel. It underscores that while God is merciful, His justice is unyielding, particularly when His holiness is dishonored, even by His closest servants. Moses' personal consequence, precipitated by the Israelites' contentious spirit at Meribah, served as a living sermon: obedience is paramount, and leaders are held to a higher standard of faithful representation of God. His exclusion wasn't simply personal misfortune but a didactic act designed to impress upon Israel the gravity of obedience and unbelief. Even their great mediator could not bypass divine decree when it came to defiling God’s name. This highlights God’s sovereign control over promises and consequences, demonstrating that neither Moses' prominence nor Israel's relationship with God guaranteed unconditional entry without hallowing Him.