Deuteronomy 34

King James Version

Full text for Deuteronomy Chapter 34

1¶ 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 shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan,

2And all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the utmost sea,

3And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar.

4And the LORD said unto him, This [is] the land which I sware unto Abraham, 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 go over thither.

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

6And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.

7And Moses [was] an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.

8And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping [and] mourning for Moses were ended.

9¶ And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.

10And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,

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 mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Moses ascended Mount Nebo, where the LORD showed him the entire Promised Land, though he was not permitted to enter it. Moses, the servant of the LORD, died there at the age of 120, his burial place remaining unknown. Joshua, filled with wisdom from Moses's anointing, succeeded him as leader, and the children of Israel obeyed him. The chapter concludes by affirming Moses's unparalleled status as a prophet known by the LORD face to face.

Medium Summary

Moses journeyed from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, specifically to the top of Pisgah, from which the LORD granted him a comprehensive view of the land promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. This extensive panorama included Gilead, Naphtali, Ephraim, Manasseh, Judah, the south, and the plain of Jericho, but the LORD reiterated that Moses would not cross over into it. Moses, the servant of the LORD, subsequently died in Moab at 120 years old, his natural vigor undiminished, and his sepulchre was divinely hidden. The children of Israel mourned Moses for thirty days in the plains of Moab. Joshua, son of Nun, succeeded Moses, being filled with the spirit of wisdom through Moses's laying on of hands, and the Israelites hearkened unto him. The chapter concludes by emphasizing that no prophet like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face and through whom mighty signs were performed, has since arisen in Israel.

Long Summary

Deuteronomy 34 commences with Moses's ascent from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, specifically reaching the summit of Pisgah, which overlooks Jericho. From this elevated position, the LORD presented Moses with a panoramic vision of the entire Promised Land. This extensive view encompassed Gilead unto Dan, all of Naphtali, the lands of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all of Judah stretching to the utmost sea. Additionally, the LORD showed him the southern region and the plain of the valley of Jericho, known as the city of palm trees, extending unto Zoar. The LORD explicitly stated that this was the land He had sworn to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob's descendants, confirming that Moses had seen it with his eyes but would not enter it. Following this divine revelation, Moses, identified as the servant of the LORD, died there in the land of Moab, in accordance with the LORD's word. The text records that the LORD buried him in a valley in Moab, opposite Bethpeor, and his burial place remains unknown to this day. At the time of his death, Moses was one hundred and twenty years old, yet his eyesight remained undimmed, and his natural strength was unabated. The children of Israel observed a period of mourning for Moses in the plains of Moab, which lasted for thirty days, concluding their period of grief. The narrative then shifts to the succession of leadership, highlighting Joshua, the son of Nun, who was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands upon him. Consequently, the children of Israel hearkened unto Joshua and faithfully executed the commands the LORD had given through Moses. The chapter concludes with a profound declaration regarding Moses's unique standing among prophets in Israel, stating that none has arisen like him, whom the LORD knew face to face. This unparalleled relationship is further underscored by the signs and wonders the LORD sent him to perform in Egypt against Pharaoh and his land, and by the mighty hand and great terror Moses displayed in the sight of all Israel.

Core Concepts

  • Moses's Final ViewMoses is granted a panoramic view of the Promised Land from Mount Nebo, fulfilling the LORD's promise to show him the land he would not enter, but from which he was barred.
  • Moses's Death and BurialMoses, the servant of the LORD, dies in the land of Moab at 120 years old, with his natural vigor intact. His sepulchre is divinely concealed, with no man knowing its location to this day.
  • Divine Promise ReiteratedThe LORD reminds Moses that the land he sees is the one promised to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob's descendants, emphasizing the faithfulness of God's covenant despite Moses's exclusion from entry.
  • Succession of LeadershipJoshua, the son of Nun, is filled with the spirit of wisdom through Moses's laying on of hands, and he assumes leadership, with the children of Israel obeying him as they did Moses.
  • Israel's MourningThe children of Israel observed a significant period of thirty days of weeping and mourning for Moses in the plains of Moab, demonstrating their reverence and grief for their departed leader.
  • Moses's Uniqueness as a ProphetThe chapter concludes by declaring Moses as an unparalleled prophet in Israel, known by the LORD 'face to face' and distinguished by the mighty signs and wonders he performed in Egypt and before all Israel.