Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 32:51
Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel.
51. because ye brake faith with me ] So Driver. The phrase is chiefly found in P, Ez. and Chron. The judgement on Moses is explained not as in Deut. by the sin of the people, but by that of Aaron and Moses himself. See above, Further Note to Ch. Deu 1:36-38.
in the midst ] Heb. b e tok, P’s synonym for the b e k rb of Deut.
the waters of Meribah of Kadesh ] As elsewhere in P, Num 27:14; cp. Num 20:13; Num 20:24, Eze 47:19; Eze 48:28, Deu 33:2, Psa 81:7 (8), Psa 106:32.
wilderness of Zin ] Heb. in, only in P, Num 13:21, etc. See above, introd. to ch. Deu 2:1-8.
sanctified me ] Cp. P, Num 20:12; Num 27:14. Notice the play upon the name adesh.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 51. Ye trespassed against me – at the waters of Meribah] See Clarke on Nu 20:12.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel,…. By their unbelief, doubting whether God would give water or no to such a rebellious people, and by giving way to passion and wrathful expressions: and this was done
at the waters of Meribahkadesh; so called, to distinguish it from another Meribah, where also there was a contention on account of water, Nu 20:13:
in the wilderness of Zin; where Kadesh was, and further describes and distinguishes this place; of the one we read in Ex 17:7; and of the other, which is here referred to, in Nu 20:1;
because ye sanctified me not in, the midst of the children of Israel; through their unbelief and disagreeable behaviour, they sanctified him not themselves, and gave no honour to him, nor were the cause of his being sanctified by the Israelites; and this was the reason why Moses and Aaron might not enter into the land of Canaan, Nu 20:12.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
51. Because ye trespassed against me. We perceive from his punishment how necessary to Moses was such a token of favor. (302) For death in itself would not have been so bitter, but the cause, which is again alleged, grievously wounded the mind of the holy man, in that he saw himself to be excluded in God’s just vengeance from the common inheritance on account of his own guilt, which is more afflictive to the pious than a hundred, nay, innumerable deaths. Hence those mournful complaints of David and Hezekiah, and others elsewhere, when their life is taken from them by all angry God:
“
the grave cannot praise thee, death cannot celebrate thee: they that go down into the pit cannot hope for thy truth.” (Isa 38:18; Psa 6:5; Psa 115:17.)
Surely it was not so formidable a thing for them to die, but that they would have calmly and cheerfully departed from the world when their time came; but what they deprecated was the awful judgment of God, at the thoughts of which they were alarmed. The same grief might have overwhelmed the mind of Moses, had it not been alleviated.
But since none, however eminent, have been altogether exempt from temporal punishments, let us learn to bear them patiently. God did not spare Moses; what wonder if our condition is no better than his? Moreover, in the opinion of men it was a trifling offense, for the sake of which he was so severely chastised; for, carried away by indignation, he had been so irritated against the people that he had attributed less power to God that was due to Him. Now, those errors, into which we fall through thoughtless impetuosity, are more easily pardoned; but hence it is manifest; how precious to God is His glory, when He does not suffer it to be obscured with impunity even by inadvertence. At the same time, also, we are taught that nothing is more irrational than to assume to ourselves the judgment respecting sins, and to weigh them in our own balance, when God is their only legitimate assessor.
But, although He declares that Moses and Aaron revolted, and were rebellious “to His mouth,” (303) still, lest it should be thought that they studiously refused credence to God’s word, a kind of qualification is added, viz., that they did not sanctify God in the midst, or before the eyes, of the children of Israel. Hence it. is plain that they were only condemned for the excessive violence of their passion, whereby they did not uphold God’s glory before the people with sufficient energy.
As to the rest, it may be looked for under Num 20:0.
(302) “Que nous avons veu;” as we have seen. — Fr.
(303) Num 27:11. “Against my commandment.” — A. V.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
There is great mercy in the LORD’S reminding Moses of Aaron’s death. But how precious is it to the believer in JESUS, to recollect in his dying hours, that CHRIST hath gone before to the grave, and through that passage to glory. Oh! for faith, lively faith, to be conformed to the lovely image of JESUS in all things. There can be no doubt, but that the view Moses had of the promised land, was accompanied with an assurance in the covenant righteousness of redemption by the promised seed, that though he entered not upon the possession of an earthly Canaan, be should enjoy the heavenly Jerusalem. Dear LORD! let this be the portion of both writer and reader, if it be thy heavenly will, and then it matters not on what mount, in what place, at what time, or in what manner the summons for our dismission is given. To live will be CHRIST, and to die will be gain. Phi 1:21 .
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Because. Compare Num 20:12.
trespassed. Hebrew. ma’al. App-44.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
ye trespassed: Deu 3:23-27, Num 20:11, Num 20:12, Num 20:24, Num 27:14
Meribah-Kadesh: or, strife at Kadesh, Num 20:13, Num 20:14
because ye: Lev 10:3, 1Ki 13:21-26, Isa 8:13, 1Pe 4:17
Reciprocal: Gen 20:1 – Kadesh Num 13:21 – from the wilderness of Zin Num 33:36 – the wilderness of Zin Deu 3:26 – the Lord Eze 47:19 – strife
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Deu 32:51-52. Because ye trespassed God reminds him of the sin he had committed long before, and this Moses records as an acknowledgment, made at his death, of Gods justice, and a warning to all people not to distrust or disobey the voice of God. It is good for the holiest of men to die repenting even of their early sins. Yet thou shalt see the land And see it as the earnest of that better country, which is only seen with the eye of faith. What is death to him who has a believing prospect and a steadfast hope of eternal life?
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
32:51 Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye {y} sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel.
(y) You were not earnest and constant to maintain my honour.