Deuteronomy 31:2
And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.
Original Language Analysis
בֶּן
old
H1121
בֶּן
old
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
3 of 21
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
מֵאָה֩
unto them I am an hundred
H3967
מֵאָה֩
unto them I am an hundred
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
4 of 21
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
הַיּ֔וֹם
this day
H3117
הַיּ֔וֹם
this day
Strong's:
H3117
Word #:
8 of 21
a day (as the warm hours), whether literal (from sunrise to sunset, or from one sunset to the next), or figurative (a space of time defined by an asso
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
9 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
אוּכַ֥ל
I can
H3201
אוּכַ֥ל
I can
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
10 of 21
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
ע֖וֹד
H5750
ע֖וֹד
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
11 of 21
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
לָצֵ֣את
no more go out
H3318
לָצֵ֣את
no more go out
Strong's:
H3318
Word #:
12 of 21
to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, direct and proxim
וְלָב֑וֹא
and come in
H935
וְלָב֑וֹא
and come in
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
13 of 21
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
וַֽיהוָה֙
also the LORD
H3068
וַֽיהוָה֙
also the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
14 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
לֹ֥א
H3808
לֹ֥א
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
17 of 21
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תַֽעֲבֹ֖ר
unto me Thou shalt not go over
H5674
תַֽעֲבֹ֖ר
unto me Thou shalt not go over
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
18 of 21
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 #:
19 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
Cross References
Deuteronomy 34:7And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.Numbers 27:17Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the LORD be not as sheep which have no shepherd.1 Kings 3:7And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant king instead of David my father: and I am but a little child: I know not how to go out or come in.Exodus 7:7And Moses was fourscore years old, and Aaron fourscore and three years old, when they spake unto Pharaoh.Numbers 20:12And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.
Historical Context
Moses was born in Egypt circa 1526 BC during Pharaoh's infanticide (Exodus 2). After forty years as Egyptian royalty and forty years as Midianite shepherd, he led Israel for forty years (1446-1406 BC, traditional dating). His exclusion from Canaan occurred at Kadesh in the fortieth year due to striking the rock at Meribah (Numbers 20:1-13). This speech comes just weeks before his death on Mount Nebo, where God showed him the Promised Land before he died (Deuteronomy 34:1-5).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses' acceptance of divine discipline without entering Canaan challenge your response to God's correction?
- What does Moses' honest acknowledgment of limitations teach about leadership transition and humility?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
I am an hundred and twenty years old this day—Moses' age divides into three perfect forty-year periods: Egypt (Acts 7:23), Midian (Acts 7:30), and wilderness leadership. Despite living to this remarkable age, he acknowledges his limitation: I can no more go out and come in (לֹא־אוּכַל עוֹד לָצֵאת וְלָבוֹא lo-ukhal od latset velavo). This idiom describes military leadership and active service (Numbers 27:17; 1 Samuel 18:13), not mere physical mobility—Deuteronomy 34:7 says "his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated."
Moses' inability stems from divine decree, not physical decline: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan. This references Numbers 20:12 where Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it, failing to sanctify God before Israel. The consequence? Exclusion from Canaan despite forty years of faithful leadership. This sobering reality demonstrates that even forgiven sin carries temporal consequences, and leadership requires higher accountability. Moses accepts God's judgment without bitterness, modeling submission to divine sovereignty.