Deuteronomy 4:22 kjv
But I must die in this land, I must not go over Jordan: but ye shall go over, and possess that good land.
Deuteronomy 4:22 nkjv
But I must die in this land, I must not cross over the Jordan; but you shall cross over and possess that good land.
Deuteronomy 4:22 niv
I will die in this land; I will not cross the Jordan; but you are about to cross over and take possession of that good land.
Deuteronomy 4:22 esv
For I must die in this land; I must not go over the Jordan. But you shall go over and take possession of that good land.
Deuteronomy 4:22 nlt
You will cross the Jordan to occupy the land, but I will not. Instead, I will die here on the east side of the river.
Deuteronomy 4 22 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference Note |
|---|---|---|
| Num 20:12-13 | But the Lord said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not trust in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them." These are the waters of Meribah... | Moses' disobedience and exclusion |
| Num 27:12-14 | The Lord said to Moses, "Go up into this mountain of Abarim... you shall be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother was gathered... because you rebelled against my word in the wilderness of Zin... | God reaffirms Moses' inability to enter |
| Deut 1:37 | Even with me the Lord was angry on your account and said, ‘You also shall not go in there.’ | God's anger at Moses for their sake |
| Deut 3:23-27 | “O Lord God, you have only begun to show your servant your greatness... Please let me go over and see the good land beyond the Jordan... But the Lord was angry with me... and said to me, ‘Enough of this; speak no more to me of this matter. Go up to the top of Pisgah and lift up your eyes westward... for you shall not cross over this Jordan.'" | Moses' plea denied |
| Deut 32:48-52 | That very day the Lord spoke to Moses... "Go up this mountain of Abarim... you shall see the land... but you shall not go in there to the land that I am giving to the people of Israel..." | Final command before Moses' death |
| Deut 34:1-5 | Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo... And the Lord showed him all the land... And the Lord said to him, “This is the land... I will give it to your offspring.” So Moses the servant of the Lord died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the Lord. | Moses dies outside the land |
| Num 27:18-23 | So the Lord said to Moses, "Take Joshua the son of Nun... lay your hand on him..." And Moses did as the Lord commanded him... | Joshua appointed as Moses' successor |
| Deut 31:7-8 | Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him... “It is the Lord who goes before you... do not fear or be dismayed.” | Joshua commanded to lead |
| Josh 1:1-2 | After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua... "Moses my servant is dead. Now therefore arise, cross this Jordan... into the land that I am giving to them..." | Joshua commanded to cross |
| Josh 3:14-17 | So when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Jordan... when those who bore the ark had come to the Jordan... the waters that came down from above stood in one heap... so that the people passed over opposite Jericho. | Israel crosses the Jordan |
| Deut 1:8 | See, I have set the land before you. Go in and take possession of the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give to them and to their offspring after them.’ | Command to possess the land |
| Deut 6:10-11 | “When the Lord your God brings you into the land that he swore to your fathers... with great and good cities that you did not build, and houses full of all good things that you did not fill..." | Description of the promised land and possession |
| Josh 11:23 | So Joshua took the whole land, according to all that the Lord had spoken to Moses. And Joshua gave it for an inheritance to Israel... So the land had rest from war. | Fulfillment of possession |
| Deut 8:7-9 | For the Lord your God is bringing you into a good land, a land of brooks of water, of fountains and springs, flowing out in valleys and hills, a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey, a land in which you will eat bread without scarcity... | Extensive description of the "good land" |
| Jer 2:7 | And I brought you into a plentiful land to enjoy its fruits and its good things. But when you came in, you defiled my land and made my heritage an abomination. | A later reflection on the good land |
| Deut 7:9 | Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations. | God's faithfulness to covenant |
| 1 Ki 8:56 | "Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant." | God's promises fulfilled to Israel |
| Heb 3:7-19 | ...as it is said, "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion, on the day of testing in the wilderness..." So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief. | Connects unbelief/disobedience to not entering "rest" |
| Heb 4:1-11 | Let us therefore strive to enter that rest, so that no one may fall by the same sort of disobedience. For the word of God is living and active... | Spiritual application of entering God's rest |
| Psa 95:10-11 | For forty years I loathed that generation and said, “They are a people who go astray in their heart, and they do not know my ways.” Therefore I swore in my wrath, “They shall not enter my rest.” | Poetic restatement of wilderness generation's fate |
| Jude 1:5 | Now I want to remind you, although you once fully knew it, that Jesus, who saved a people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe. | Illustrates consequences of unbelief for those "saved" |
| Jam 3:1 | Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. | Principle of higher accountability for leaders |
Deuteronomy 4 verses
Deuteronomy 4 22 Meaning
Deuteronomy 4:22 conveys Moses’ personal lament and acceptance of God’s decree that he will die in the land east of the Jordan River, unable to enter the Promised Land. This judgment stems from his disobedience at Meribah. Despite his personal exclusion, the verse simultaneously affirms God’s faithfulness to the covenant with Israel, declaring that the new generation will indeed cross over the Jordan and inherit the "good land." It starkly contrasts Moses' fate with the nation's destiny, underscoring both divine justice for individuals and divine fidelity to the corporate body of Israel.
Deuteronomy 4 22 Context
Deuteronomy 4 is a powerful exhortation by Moses to the Israelites. They are assembled on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River, on the cusp of entering the Promised Land. This address marks a pivotal moment, being Moses' final discourse before his death. He reminds them of their history with God, specifically the covenant made at Horeb (Mount Sinai), and warns them against the perils of idolatry and disobedience. He emphasizes God's uniqueness, His powerful acts on their behalf, and the profound privilege of being His chosen people. Within this framework of intense instruction and warning, verse 22 serves as a stark personal reminder of the consequences of disobedience, even for Moses, the greatest prophet among them. His inability to enter the land underscores the holiness of God and the strictness of the covenant, yet simultaneously highlights the unwavering fulfillment of God's promise to the nation, as they are prepared to inherit the land that he, their leader, could not.
Deuteronomy 4 22 Word analysis
- "For I am to die": אנוכי מת (
ānōḵî mēṯ) – This is a solemn, definite declaration. The present participle מת (met, "dying" or "going to die") conveys an immediacy and certainty of his impending death, confirming God's prior judgment. It expresses Moses' acceptance of his fate without bitterness. This stands as a testament to the fact that even great leaders are accountable to God's holy standards. - "in this land": בארץ הזאת (
bā’āreṣ hazzō’ṯ) – This phrase specifically refers to the land of Moab, outside the geographical boundaries of the Promised Land. It starkly emphasizes his exclusion, marking the precise limit of his journey. - "I shall not cross over the Jordan": לא עבר את הירדן (
lō’ ‘ōḇēr ’eṯ hayYarden) – The word לא (lo') signifies a strong negation. עבר (‘ōḇēr) means "to cross over." The Jordan River serves as a crucial physical and symbolic barrier, separating the wilderness and the land of Moab from the promised inheritance of Canaan. This highlights God’s unwavering boundary for Moses. - "But you are going over": ואתם עברים (
wĕ’attem ‘ōḇərîm) – The conjunction ו (wĕ, "and/but") introduces a powerful contrast. אתם (’attem) is the plural "you," addressing the entire congregation. עברים (‘ōḇərîm) is also a present participle, indicating the certainty and imminence of their crossing. This shifts the focus from Moses' individual fate to the corporate destiny of Israel, emphasizing God’s steadfast commitment to His covenant with the nation. - "and taking possession": לרשת (
lārešeṯ) – This is the infinitive "to possess" or "to inherit." It denotes the specific purpose and outcome of their crossing the Jordan. The act of taking possession fulfills God's ancient promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob concerning the land. It implies both active appropriation and divine bestowal of inheritance. - "of that good land": את הארץ הטובה הזאת (
’eṯ hā’āreṣ haṭṭōḇâ hazzō’ṯ) – "Good" (טובה, ṭōḇâ) is a consistent descriptor of Canaan throughout Deuteronomy. It signifies its richness, fertility, and desirability, characterizing it as a land flowing with milk and honey. This phrase reinforces the divine blessing and provision inherent in the inheritance, emphasizing that it is a land chosen and prepared by God for His people.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "For I am to die in this land; I shall not cross over the Jordan." This phrase encapsulates God's unwavering justice, demonstrating that disobedience, even by a revered leader like Moses, carries significant consequences. It underscores Moses’ acceptance of God’s decree and provides a powerful, personal testament to divine holiness and the solemnity of the covenant. His fate served as an object lesson for Israel.
- "But you are going over and taking possession of that good land." This contrasting phrase shifts focus to God's unfailing covenant faithfulness. Despite individual failures, God's promise to Israel as a nation remains secure. It emphasizes the ultimate success of God's plan for His people to inherit the promised blessing. This juxtaposition of individual judgment and corporate fulfillment serves to instruct Israel in both accountability and assurance.
Deuteronomy 4 22 Bonus section
- A Symbol of God's Justice and Grace: The verse perfectly encapsulates both God's severe justice (Moses' exclusion) and His unwavering grace/faithfulness (Israel's entry). It is a microcosm of the Bible's teaching on individual responsibility versus God's overarching plan for His chosen people.
- The Burden of Leadership: Moses' inability to enter serves as a potent reminder of the greater scrutiny and accountability God requires of those in leadership, emphasizing the solemn responsibility inherent in such a calling.
- Typological Significance: Moses represents the Law, which could guide and condemn, but not bring full rest. Joshua, a new leader with the same name root as Jesus, was needed to bring Israel into the Promised Land. This foreshadows Christ, who fulfills the Law and brings believers into spiritual rest and eternal inheritance, which the earthly land only partially symbolized.
- God's Sovereignty in Destiny: Despite Moses' crucial role, his fate was firmly in God's hands. His acceptance of this demonstrates ultimate submission to divine will, emphasizing God’s absolute sovereignty over individual and national destinies.
Deuteronomy 4 22 Commentary
Deuteronomy 4:22 is a profound moment in Moses’ final address, revealing layers of theological truth. Firstly, it solemnly affirms divine justice: even the most devoted servant of God is not exempt from the consequences of disobedience, as seen in Moses' exclusion from the Promised Land due to striking the rock at Meribah (Numbers 20). This underscores God’s absolute holiness and that His standards apply to all, including leadership, serving as a sobering lesson for Israel (and for all believers). Secondly, it highlights God’s unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. Despite Moses’ failure, the divine pledge to Abraham that his descendants would inherit the land remains inviolable for the nation of Israel. The emphasis shifts from the individual's deserved consequence to the corporate body’s assured blessing. Finally, the verse sets the stage for a change in leadership. Moses, the deliverer of the Law, could lead them to the edge but not into the rest. Joshua, whose name (Yeshua) is the same root as Jesus, would lead them in. This transition points forward, prophetically illustrating that the Law (represented by Moses) cannot ultimately bring one into God’s true rest and inheritance; rather, a new, greater Joshua (Jesus) is required to lead God’s people into the ultimate spiritual rest and eternal inheritance.