Deuteronomy 34

De 34:1-12.

MOSES FROM

MOUNT

NEBO

VIEWS THE

LAND.

1. Moses went up from the plains of Moab--This chapter appears from

internal evidence to have been written subsequently to the death of

Moses, and it probably formed, at one time, an introduction to the Book

of Joshua.

unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah--literally, the head

or summit of the Pisgah; that is, the height (compare

Nu 23:14;

De 3:17-27; 4:49).

The general name given to the whole mountain range east of Jordan, was

Abarim (compare

De 32:49),

and the peak to which Moses ascended was dedicated to the heathen Nebo,

as Balaam's standing place had been consecrated to Peor. Some modern

travellers have fixed on Jebel Attarus, a high mountain south of the

Jabbok (Zurka), as the Nebo of this passage [BURCKHARDT, SEETZEN, &c.]. But it is

situated too far north for a height which, being described as "over

against Jericho," must be looked for above the last stage of the

Jordan.

the Lord showed him all the land of Gilead--That pastoral region was

discernible at the northern extremity of the mountain line on which he

stood, till it ended, far beyond his sight in Dan. Westward, there were

on the horizon, the distant hills of "all Naphtali." Coming nearer, was

"the land of Ephraim and Manasseh." Immediately opposite was "all the

land of Judah," a title at first restricted to the portion of this

tribe, beyond which were "the utmost sea" (the Mediterranean) and the

Desert of the "South." These were the four great marks of the future

inheritance of his people, on which the narrative fixes our attention.

Immediately below him was "the circle" of the plain of Jericho, with

its oasis of palm trees; and far away on his left, the last inhabited

spot before the great desert "Zoar." The foreground of the picture

alone was clearly discernible. There was no miraculous power of vision

imparted to Moses. That he should see all that is described is what

any man could do, if he attained sufficient elevation. The atmosphere

of the climate is so subtle and free from vapor that the sight is

carried to a distance of which the beholder, who judges from the more

dense air of Europe, can form no idea [VERE

MONRO]. But between him and

that "good land," the deep valley of the Jordan intervened; "he was not

to go over thither."

5. Moses . . . died--After having governed the Israelites forty years.

6. he buried him--or, "he was buried in a valley," that is, a ravine

or gorge of the Pisgah. Some think that he entered a cave and there

died, being, according to an ancient tradition of Jews and Christians,

buried by angels

(Jude 9;

Nu 21:20).

no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day--This concealment seems

to have been owing to a special and wise arrangement of Providence, to

prevent its being ranked among "holy places," and made the resort of

superstitious pilgrims or idolatrous veneration, in after ages.

8. wept for Moses . . . thirty days--Seven days was the usual period

of mourning, but for persons in high rank or official eminence, it was

extended to thirty

(Ge 50:3-10;

Nu 20:29).

9. Joshua . . . was full of the spirit of wisdom--He was appointed to

a peculiar and extraordinary office. He was not the successor of Moses,

for he was not a prophet or civil ruler, but the general or leader,

called to head the people in the war of invasion and the subsequent

allocation of the tribes.

10-12. there arose not a prophet since--In whatever light we view this

extraordinary man, the eulogy pronounced in these inspired words will

appear just. No Hebrew prophet or ruler equalled him in character or

official dignity, or in knowledge of God's will and opportunities of

announcing it.

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