9 And Joshua H3091 the son H1121 of Nun H5126 was full H4392 of the spirit H7307 of wisdom; H2451 for Moses H4872 had laid H5564 his hands H3027 upon him: and the children H1121 of Israel H3478 hearkened H8085 unto him, and did H6213 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 Moses. H4872
And the LORD H3068 said H559 unto Moses, H4872 Take H3947 thee Joshua H3091 the son H1121 of Nun, H5126 a man H376 in whom is the spirit, H7307 and lay H5564 thine hand H3027 upon him; And set H5975 him before H6440 Eleazar H499 the priest, H3548 and before H6440 all the congregation; H5712 and give him a charge H6680 in their sight. H5869 And thou shalt put H5414 some of thine honour H1935 upon him, that all the congregation H5712 of the children H1121 of Israel H3478 may be obedient. H8085 And he shall stand H5975 before H6440 Eleazar H499 the priest, H3548 who shall ask H7592 counsel for him after the judgment H4941 of Urim H224 before H6440 the LORD: H3068 at his word H6310 shall they go out, H3318 and at his word H6310 they shall come in, H935 both he, and all the children H1121 of Israel H3478 with him, even all the congregation. H5712 And Moses H4872 did H6213 as the LORD H3068 commanded H6680 him: and he took H3947 Joshua, H3091 and set H5975 him before H6440 Eleazar H499 the priest, H3548 and before H6440 all the congregation: H5712 And he laid H5564 his hands H3027 upon him, and gave him a charge, H6680 as the LORD H3068 commanded H1696 by the hand H3027 of Moses. H4872
And they answered H6030 Joshua, H3091 saying, H559 All that thou commandest H6680 us we will do, H6213 and whithersoever H834 thou sendest H7971 us, we will go. H3212 According as we hearkened H8085 unto Moses H4872 in all things, so will we hearken H8085 unto thee: only the LORD H3068 thy God H430 be with thee, as he was with Moses. H4872 Whosoever H376 he be that doth rebel H4784 against thy commandment, H6310 and will not hearken H8085 unto thy words H1697 in all that thou commandest H6680 him, he shall be put to death: H4191 only be strong H2388 and of a good courage. H553
Then G5119 laid they G2007 their hands G5495 on G1909 them, G846 and G2532 they received G2983 the Holy G40 Ghost. G4151 And G1161 when Simon G4613 saw G2300 that G3754 through G1223 laying on G1936 of the apostles' G652 hands G5495 the Holy G40 Ghost G4151 was given, G1325 he offered G4374 them G846 money, G5536 Saying, G3004 Give G1325 me also G2504 this G5026 power, G1849 that G2443 on G2007 whomsoever G3739 G1437 I lay G2007 hands, G5495 he may receive G2983 the Holy G40 Ghost. G4151
Worthy.Bible » Commentaries » Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible » Commentary on Deuteronomy 34
Commentary on Deuteronomy 34 Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
CHAPTER 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.