Deuteronomy 3:27
Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
Original Language Analysis
עֲלֵ֣ה׀
Get thee up
H5927
עֲלֵ֣ה׀
Get thee up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 17
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
רֹ֣אשׁ
into the top
H7218
רֹ֣אשׁ
into the top
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
2 of 17
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
וְשָׂ֥א
and lift up
H5375
וְשָׂ֥א
and lift up
Strong's:
H5375
Word #:
4 of 17
to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative
בְעֵינֶ֑יךָ
it with thine eyes
H5869
בְעֵינֶ֑יךָ
it with thine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
5 of 17
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
יָ֧מָּה
westward
H3220
יָ֧מָּה
westward
Strong's:
H3220
Word #:
6 of 17
a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif
וְצָפֹ֛נָה
and northward
H6828
וְצָפֹ֛נָה
and northward
Strong's:
H6828
Word #:
7 of 17
properly, hidden, i.e., dark; used only of the north as a quarter (gloomy and unknown)
וְתֵימָ֥נָה
and southward
H8486
וְתֵימָ֥נָה
and southward
Strong's:
H8486
Word #:
8 of 17
the south (as being on the right hand of a person facing the east)
וּרְאֵ֣ה
and behold
H7200
וּרְאֵ֣ה
and behold
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
10 of 17
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
בְעֵינֶ֑יךָ
it with thine eyes
H5869
בְעֵינֶ֑יךָ
it with thine eyes
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
11 of 17
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
כִּי
H3588
כִּי
Strong's:
H3588
Word #:
12 of 17
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
13 of 17
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַֽעֲבֹ֖ר
for thou shalt not go over
H5674
תַֽעֲבֹ֖ר
for thou shalt not go over
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
14 of 17
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
15 of 17
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Historical Context
Mount Pisgah (or Nebo) in the Abarim range offered panoramic views of Canaan from Transjordan. From this vantage point, Moses could see the Mediterranean coast, northern Lebanon, southern Negev, and Jordan valley. This gracious provision let Moses visually confirm God's faithfulness before his death.
Questions for Reflection
- How has God provided meaningful alternatives when your first choice wasn't possible?
- What perspective does God want to give you that compensates for what you cannot have?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
God's alternative provision—'Get thee up into the top of Pisgah'—offers Moses something rather than nothing. Though he couldn't enter, he could see the land from 'westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward.' The comprehensive view from Pisgah allowed Moses to witness the fulfillment of God's promise, even if he couldn't personally possess it. God's grace provides meaningful alternatives when our first choice isn't His will.