1Moses from mount Nebo vieweth the land: 5his death and burial: 7his age. 8Thirty days' mourning for him. 9Joshua succeedeth him. 10The praise of Moses.
1AND Moses 1went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of 2Nebo, to the 3top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD sheweda him all the land of 4Gilead, unto 5Dan,
*This chapter (according to the opinion of most interpreters) was written after Moses’ death by some other man of God (whether Joshua, Eleazar, or some other) by special revelation and inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Without this the author of this chapter (as also the apostle Jude relates somewhat in his epistle) could not know these matters which passed between God and Moses alone.
1 Knowing beforehand by God’s revelation that he was to die there, he went very willingly to his dying place.
2 Located (as some maps do show) at the south side of Pisgah, close by the city of Nebo, built up by the Reubenites, Num. 32:38. Compare Deut. 32:49.
3 Hebr. the head. This was a very high mountain, situated close to Nebo, which was much lower, serving as an ascent to the top of Pisgah.
a Deut. 3:27.
4 See Gen. 31 on verse 21; Num. 31:1, 29, etc.
5 Situated in the north end of Canaan, previously called Leshem or Laish, captured and called with the name Dan, Joshua 19:47; Judges 18:29.
2And all 6Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the 7utmost sea,
6 That is, the land of Naphtali.
7 See Deut. 11 on verse 24.
3And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the 8city of palm trees, unto 9Zoar.
8 Because many palm trees grew in the valley of Jericho, as also balm, for which this city was famous, and had the name Jericho because of the good or sweet fragrance. See also Judges 1:16; 2 Chron. 28:15.
9 See Gen. 19:20.
4And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham,b unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not 10go over thither.
b Gen. 12:7; 13:15; 15:18; 26:4; 28:13.
10 Over the Jordan.
5¶So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the 11word of the LORD.
11 Or, mouth, that is, saying or ordinance.
6And 12he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against 13Beth-peor: but no manc knoweth of his 14sepulchre 15unto this day.
12 The LORD.
13 See Deut. 3 on verse 29.
c Jude verse 9.
14 The place where the LORD had buried him. See Jude verse 9. God, without a doubt, wanted this to prevent all occasion of superstition or idolatry (to which this people was much inclined); as the devil, on the other hand, had gladly discovered it.
15 From these words it appears plainly that this chapter was written after Moses’ death.
7¶And Moses was an 16hundred and twenty years old when he died: 17his eye was not dim, nor his natural 18force 19abated.
16 Hebr. a son of an hundred and twenty year.
17 Compare Joshua 14:10, 11.
18 That is, vigor, youthfulness. Hebr. properly greenness; a similitude taken from green herbs that are full of sap, and abounding with juice and moisture. Notwithstanding this, God made him die even while he was yet vigorous and strong.
19 Hebr. fled away.
8¶And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab 20thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.
20 Compare Gen. 50:3, 10; Num. 20:29.
9¶And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the 21spirit of wisdom; ford Moses had laid his 22hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.
21 That is, of the gift of wisdom which the Holy Spirit had wrought in him for the executing of such an office.
d Num. 27:18.
22 Hebr. properly had leaned with his hands upon him. See hereof Gen. 48 on verse 14; Num. 8 on verse 10; Num. 27 on verse 18.
10¶And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, 23whom the LORD knew 24face to face,
23 Other, who had known the LORD, etc.
24 See Exod. 33:11; Num. 12:8; Deut. 5 on verse 4.
11In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land,
12And in all that 25mighty hand, and in all the great 26terror which 27Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.
25 That is, the works of the Divine power. Compare Deut. 4 on verse 34.
26 That is, terrible, miraculous acts.
27 God, by the hand or ministry of Moses.