Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

48 52. Moses’ Call to Death

He is bidden climb Mt Nebo and view Canaan, and die there like Aaron on Mt Hor, because of his trespass against Jehovah at adesh. He shall see but not enter the Land. The language (including the place-names) and the reason given for Moses’ failure to enter the Land, are those of P (see notes below). There is a doublet in Num 27:12-14. Which of the two passages is original and which editorial is doubtful. The additions to this one point to its being the later.

Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

48-51. Get thee up . . . and die . .. Because ye trespassed . . . at Meribah(See on Nu20:13).

Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible

And the Lord spake unto Moses the selfsame day,…. On which he finished the reading of the law, and the above song, which was the seventh of Adar or February; according to the Targum of Jonathan, the day he died on; according to the Egyptian Calendar a, it was the sixteenth of that month, see De 34:5;

saying; as follows.

a Apud Ludolf. Lex. Ethiop. p. 537.

Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible

“ That self-same day,” viz., the day upon which Moses had rehearsed the song to the children of Israel, the Lord renewed the announcement of his death, by repeating the command already given to him (Num 27:12-14) to ascend Mount Nebo, there to survey the land of Canaan, and then to be gathered unto his people. In form, this repetition differs from the previous announcement, partly in the fact that the situation of Mount Nebo is more fully described (in the land of Moab, etc., as in Deu 1:5; Deu 29:1), and partly in the continual use of the imperative, and a few other trifling points. These differences may all be explained from the fact that the account here was not written by Moses himself.

Fuente: Keil & Delitzsch Commentary on the Old Testament

Verses 48-52:

“That selfsame day,” the day in which Moses delivered the song to Israel. God reminded him of his impending death, and the reason for it.

Abarim, meaning “pas,sages, fords, ridges.” The two sides of a range of mountains in Moab, east of Jordan, facing Jericho, reaching from the Arnon to Gilead, see Num 27:12; Num 33:47-48.

Mount Nebo, meaning “height,” a mountain east of Jordan across from Jericho, part of the Abarim range, with a peak called Pisgah, six miles west of Heshbon. From this vantage point, Moses viewed the Land of Canaan.

Nebo was the place where Moses was to die, without realizing his dream of leading Israel into the Land of Promise. The reason: his actions at Meribah, see Num 20:7-13; Num 27:12-14.

Fuente: Garner-Howes Baptist Commentary

48. And the Lord spake unto Moses. We infer that this is not recorded in its regular order, because it is certain that Moses was warned of his approaching death before the Song was composed; and this the second passage, which I have here appended, expressly confirms; for he says that, before he substituted Joshua for himself, the place was pointed out to him in which he was to die. It is, however, by no means unusual for the order of narration to be inverted.

We may here perceive a singular specimen of faith and obedience. All naturally fly from death, so that no one hastens towards it of his own accord. He would never, therefore, have voluntarily entered the tomb, unless relying on the hope of a better life. We have already seen a similar instance in the case of Aaron: although the resurrection was not then so clearly revealed as it now is by the Gospel, nor had Christ appeared, who is the first-fruits of them that rise again. Wherefore, though our carnal sense may be averse from death, let our faith prevail to overcome all its terrors: even as Paul teaches that God’s children, although they desire not “to be unclothed,” still long to be “clothed upon, that mortality may be swallowed up of life.” (2Co 5:4.) This, however, was remarkable obedience, to prepare himself no less willingly for death than as if he had been invited to some joyful banquet. Thus it is plain that these holy men had so consecrated themselves to God, that they were ready to live or to die, according to His pleasure.

Mount Abarim seems to have obtained its name from its angles or sides, because it was divided (301) into many hills; as it is called also Nebo in this place, and elsewhere by divers other names. Others think it is named from a passage; but the other opinion is more probable, since it is called in the plural number Abarim, that is, heights, or summits, or interstices, which were situated on opposite heights.

Although we shall presently see that there was another reason why God desired to withdraw His servant from the sight of men, still we must take notice of the consolation, which is here referred to, that the pain of his death was alleviated by the permission to behold the land of Canaan. For this reason he is commanded to get up into the top of the mountain; for, although he would have been satisfied with the mere promise of God, even had he been deprived of this blessing, still it had no slight additional effect in enabling him more cheerfully to leave the people on the threshold of their inheritance. For faith does not altogether deprive God’s children of human feelings; but our heavenly Father in His indulgence has compassion on their infirmity. Thus, as it was a cause of sorrow to Moses to be withheld from entering the land, he was supported by a seasonable remedy, that he might not be hindered in his course by this impediment.

(301) It seems that Abarim is the general name of a range of mountains; and as Moses is said in one text to die in Mount Nebo, and in the present, (viz, Deu 34:1,) on the top of Pisgah, we must infer that Nebo was a mountain in the range of Abarim, and that Pisgah was the most elevated and commanding peak of that mountain.” — Illustr. Com.

Abarim, from עבר gnabar, to pass over; translated by Taylor vada, transitus, latera.

Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary

LESSON TWENTY-FOUR Deu. 32:48 to Deu. 34:12

D. MOSES COMMANDED TO ASCEND

MOUNT NEBO (Deu. 32:48-52)

48 And Jehovah spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying, 49 Get thee up into this mountain of Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession; 50 and die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people, as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people: 51 because ye trespassed against me in the midst of the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah of Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel. 52 For thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither into the land which I gave the children of Israel.

THOUGHT QUESTIONS 32:4852

567.

What day is meant by the expression that selfsame day?

568.

There are three names used: Abarim, Nebo, and Pisgah, are these all names of the same place?

569.

In death Moses was to be gathered unto thy peoplejust where are his people that death would unite the two?

570.

Please notice carefully the sin of Moses at Kadeshthere is something far more serious than speaking or striking the rockwhat is it?

AMPLIFIED TRANSLATION 32:4852

48 And the Lord said to Moses that same day,
49 Get up into this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, opposite Jericho; and look at the land of Canaan, which I give to the Israelites for a possession;
50 And die on the mountain which you ascend, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people;
51 Because you broke faith with Me in the midst of the Israelites at the waters of Meribah of Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin; because you did not set Me apart as holy in the midst of the Israelites.
52 For you shall see the land over opposite you, but you shall not go there, into the land which I give the Israelites.

COMMENT 32:4852

GET THEE UP INTO THIS MOUNTAIN (Deu. 32:49)See also Deu. 3:23-28, Deu. 34:1 ff. There is no practical purpose for distinguishing between Pisgah and Nebo, the former the name of Nebo in Deu. 3:27.

Because of Moses transgression at the waters of Meribah (Num. 20:2-13), neither Moses nor Aaron were allowed to enter the Promised Land proper. We find no indication on their part of bitterness or inner rebellion against God because of this prohibitionin fact, all scripture with reference to their death leads us to believe they had long since quietly aquiesced to the will of God in this matter. Yet, what deep and overwhelming emotion must have engulfed Moses soul as he ascended that mountain! Surely from this distance it is impossible to imagine it! See further on this under Deu. 34:1.

AS AARON . . . DIED IN MOUNT HOR (Deu. 32:50)See Num. 20:22-29, and note that, as in the case of Moses, Aaron could not enter Canaan because ye rebelled against my word at the waters of Meribah (Num. 20:24. Compare Deu. 32:51 of this chapter). Aaron had died on the first day of the fifth month of this year (Num. 33:38). Moses death was not too much later, for even after the events of Deuteronomy, Moses death, the thirty days of mourning, and Joshuas leading of Israel across Jordan, we are only in the tenth day of the first month of the next year (Jos. 4:19).

BECAUSE YE SANCTIFIED ME NOT (Deu. 32:51)See notes under Deu. 1:37. There is much misunderstanding concerning the nature of Moses (and Aarons) sinsin so great in Gods eyes to keep this great man of faith from taking part in the final victory and entering Canaan with Israel. It is frequently explained that God condemned him because of his disobedience in striking the rock (an act which had been commanded of him in a previous instance, Exo. 17:6), instead of merely speaking to it as instructed. And though this may be part of Moses violation, it is not mentioned as a reason for preventing his entrance into Canaan. See Numbers 20, especially Deu. 32:12. Moses did not sanctify God in the eyes of the people, Because ye believed not in me . . . In whom or what, then, did Moses have faith? It seems to have been himself, along with Aaron. And perhaps, too, (though it is hard to believe!) in the powers of his rodthe rod he had previously used to perform such feats as splitting the waters of the Red Sea or bringing forth water at Rephidim. Had Moses come to think of his rod as a magic stick? We do not know. At any rate, as he and Aaron stood before Israel, the shout of Moses was, Hear now, ye rebels; shall we bring you forth water out of this rock? The name of God was not mentioned. The people only saw Moses and Aaron.

If ever there is a reminder of Gods demand for his own glory to be reflected in our words and lives, it is illustrated here. His words must be followed, and the credit for his power (no matter who he works through) must be given to HIM!

Fuente: College Press Bible Study Textbook Series

(48) And the Lord spake unto Moses that selfsame day.The day in which he spake the song in the ears of all Israel.

Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)

48. That selfsame day What a close to a day so marked in the history of Israel! The echoes of this grand ode are dying away, the families of Israel are returning to their tents. To Moses, the great leader, comes the divine direction. He is now told, “Get thee up into this mountain; behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession: and die in the mount.” Comp. Num 27:12-14.

Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

Yahweh’s Final Words to Moses ( Deu 32:48-52 ).

a And Yahweh spoke to Moses that selfsame day, saying, “Get you up into this mountain of Abarim, to mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho, and behold the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel for a possession” (deu 48-49).

b “And die in the mount to which you go up, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered to his people” (deu 50).

b “Because you trespassed against me in the midst of the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah of Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, because you did not sanctify me in the midst of the children of Israel” (deu 51).

a “For you will see the land before you, but you will not go there into the land which I give the children of Israel” (deu 52).

Note that in ‘a’ he is to see the land of Canaan which Yahweh is giving to the children of Israel for a possession. and in the parallel he will see the land before him, but he will not enter it. In ‘b’ he will die there and be gathered to his people, and in the parallel it is because of his trespass at the waters of Meribah when he failed to set apart Yahweh as holy in the eyes of His people.

Deu 32:48

‘ And Yahweh spoke to Moses that selfsame day, saying,’

Moses having given his final exhortation to the people, on that very same day Yahweh calls him up to a mountain to have one last look at the land to which he has safely brought his people before he dies, explaining that he will then die on that mountain. Although his punishment must be carried out he is given special treatment as the favoured servant of Yahweh.

Deu 32:49

‘ Get you up into this mountain of Abarim, to mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho, and behold the land of Canaan, which I give to the children of Israel for a possession,’

He is to climb Mount Nebo, in the mountains at Abarim, in the land of Moab, which is over against Jericho, and there behold the land of Canaan which Yahweh is giving to the children of Israel for a possession. Thus His final assurance to His servant is as to the success of his venture. They will go over and possess it.

This would be one of the mountain peaks to the north end of the Dead Sea. It may or may not be the peak called Mount Nebo today, but if it was it provides a wonderful view of the Jordan Valley. Jericho was regularly used as an indicator of the area in the final chapter of Numbers. It was probably the one walled city in the area, and would already have attracted attention, on its mound. It was the first obstacle to entry into the land, for it guarded the pass through the hills.

Deu 32:50-51

‘ And die in the mount to which you go up, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered to his people, because you (ye) trespassed against me in the midst of the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah of Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, because you (ye) did not sanctify me in the midst of the children of Israel.’

Once he has had this one last look Moses will die in the mountain to which he has climbed. Just as Aaron died on Mount Hor (Num 20:22-29; Num 33:37-39) and was gathered to his people, so will Moses die on Mount Nebo and be gathered to his people. And he too was dying because of the trespass at Meribah when both of them were involved in defaming Yahweh in the eyes of the people. They had failed to ‘sanctify Him’, set Him apart in His uniqueness and compassion and power, among the people (see Deu 1:37; Deu 3:26; Deu 4:21; Num 20:10-12; Num 27:14) because of their own perverseness.

Dying in a mountain to which he was called by God appears to indicate a glorious death, a death near to heaven. He had to be punished but God still cherished His faithful servant, as He had Aaron.

Deu 32:52

‘ For you will see the land before you, but you will not go there into the land which I give the children of Israel.’

Yahweh’s concession was for him to see the land, but he was not to have any false hopes of entering it. This embargo was not only to be seen as a lesson for him, but as a lesson for the whole of Israel. That is why it was publicised by the one to whom Moses communicated what he had been told before he went up into the mountain. It could have been Eliezar, as High Priest, but Joshua seems the likely contender.

Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett

Ver. 48. And the Lord spake unto Moses, &c. Concerning the death of Moses, see chap. 34:

REFLECTIONS.Moses and Joshua, in different congregations of the people, solemnly rehearse the words of this song: as Joshua is shortly to supply Moses’s place, they must bear the same word, and witness the same truth. Note; There is but one truth in the Scripture, one faith, one hope, one gospel. Moses, after the delivery of this Song of Solomon 1. Adds his earnest charge to them, to set their hearts to obey all these commands of God, and not only to be themselves exemplary, but seek to transmit their religion to the succeeding generations, by training up their children in the way which they should go; for it is not a vain thing, an inconsiderable matter; their life depended on it, their comfortable life in Canaan, their eternal life in heaven. Note; Religion is our highest interest, as well as our bounden duty: happy, were we all more deeply convinced thereof! 2. God informs Moses that he must die. The very day on which his work is completed, he is ordered up to mount Nebo. Note; When God has accomplished all his will in us upon earth, he will not fail that same hour to take us to himself. He reminds him of his sin which prevented his passing over Jordan. Humble reflections upon past misconduct become us even in our dying moments. He mentions Aaron’s death before him, as a comfortable support against his own. Moses had seen him die in peace, and was now to go to him. It is a comfort, in dying seasons, to think of those who have gone before, and whom we shall so shortly meet in glory, especially our Divine Redeemer, the High-Priest of our profession. Yet he may see the land, though he must not enter it. God is pleased to shew him this favour, as a token of his reconciliation to him, and in full view of it he may die content. Note; (1.) On this side of the grave, we can only by faith see the fulfilment of the promises afar off; we must cross the stream of death, and then we shall receive them in all their fulness. (2.) Though on a dying bed we may have much to lament, it is enough if Jesus stands by to say that our iniquity is pardoned, and holds out eternal life, as the gift of God to us, through his obedience unto death in our behalf.

Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke

NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Deu 32:48-52

48The LORD spoke to Moses that very same day, saying, 49Go up to this mountain of the Abarim, Mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab opposite Jericho, and look at the land of Canaan, which I am giving to the sons of Israel for a possession. 50Then die on the mountain where you ascend, and be gathered to your people, as Aaron your brother died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people, 51because you broke faith with Me in the midst of the sons of Israel at the waters of Meribah-kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin, because you did not treat Me as holy in the midst of the sons of Israel. 52For you shall see the land at a distance, but you shall not go there, into the land which I am giving the sons of Israel.

Deu 32:49-50 These two verses have several IMPERATIVES:

1. go up, Deu 32:49 – BDB 748, KB 828, Qal IMPERATIVE

2. look at, Deu 32:40 – BDB 906, KB 1157, Qal IMPERATIVE

3. die, Deu 32:50 – BDB 559, KB 562, Qal IMPERATIVE

4. be gathered, Deu 32:50 – BDB 62, KB 74, Niphal IMPERATIVE

The last acts of Moses are scripted by a God who loved him, used him, and held him responsible for his actions!

Deu 32:49 Abarim This is the mountain range (cf. Num 27:12-14).

Mount Nebo This is the highest peak in that mountain range. Possibly this peak is very close to the northern part of the Dead Sea across from Jericho on the opposite side of the Jordan Valley.

Deu 32:50 Then die on the mountain The implication of the verse is that this will be the end of Moses’ earthly life (cf. Deu 32:34), but he will live on with his family and countrymen who have died before.

Mount Hor Aaron’s death and burial are first recorded in Num 20:22-29; Num 33:38-39. However, Deu 10:6 says he died and was buried at Moseroth (cf. Num 33:30-31). Hard Sayings of the Bible, p. 166, says Moserah is the name of the area and Mount Hor the name of the specific mountain.

Deu 32:51 because you broke faith with Me (cf. Numbers 20; Num 27:14; Deu 1:37; Deu 3:23-27). This is parallel to because you did not treat Me as holy. Moses’ open and obvious disobedience before all the people in Numbers 20 and again in Numbers 27, caused him to be publicly judged by God and not allowed to enter the Promised Land.

Deu 32:52 This is further expanded in chapter 34.

Fuente: You Can Understand the Bible: Study Guide Commentary Series by Bob Utley

spake. See note on Deu 2:1.

Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics

am 2553, bc 1451, An, Ex, Is, 40, Adar, Num 27:12, Num 27:13

Reciprocal: Deu 31:2 – Thou shalt not

Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Deu 32:48-49. That self-same day Now he had finished his work, why should he desire to live a day longer? He had indeed formerly desired and prayed that he might go over Jordan: but now he is entirely satisfied, and saith no more of that matter. Nebo A ridge or top of the mountains of Abarim.

Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments

2. The announcement of Moses’ death 32:48-52

The same day Moses gave his song to the Israelites God directed him to prepare for his death (Deu 32:48; cf. Num 27:12-14). Mt. Nebo is one of the peaks in the Abarim range that stands to the east of the Arabah northeast of the Dead Sea. This mountain range runs generally from north to south. People in that culture associated heights with nearness to deity, so perhaps both Aaron and Moses died and were buried on mountains to symbolize their nearness to God. [Note: Merrill, Deuteronomy, p. 430.]

God permitted Moses to see the whole land of Canaan even though his sin at Kadesh prevented him from entering it.

"The Lord had told him to speak to the rock (Num 20:8), the mere act of speaking being designed to demonstrate the power of God who creates by the spoken word. To strike the rock was to introduce an interruptive element and thus to diminish the significance of the powerful word. By doing this, Moses betrayed not only anger and disobedience but he correspondingly reflected on the God whom he served by implying that God could not bring forth water by the divine word alone." [Note: Ibid., p. 429.]

Moses’ sin lay in his failure to honor God as He deserved. This is essentially the warning of the Song of Moses (Deu 32:1-43). Moses had failed God as Israel had failed Him. Moses warned Israel about failing Him again in the future.

Fuente: Expository Notes of Dr. Constable (Old and New Testaments)