Deuteronomy 32:52

Authorized King James Version

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Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel.

Original Language Analysis

כִּ֥י H3588
כִּ֥י
Strong's: H3588
Word #: 1 of 15
(by implication) very widely used as a relative conjunction or adverb (as below); often largely modified by other particles annexed
מִנֶּ֖גֶד H5048
מִנֶּ֖גֶד
Strong's: H5048
Word #: 2 of 15
a front, i.e., part opposite; specifically a counterpart, or mate; usually (adverbial, especially with preposition) over against or before
תִּרְאֶ֣ה Yet thou shalt see H7200
תִּרְאֶ֣ה Yet thou shalt see
Strong's: H7200
Word #: 3 of 15
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
אֶת H853
אֶת
Strong's: H853
Word #: 4 of 15
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הָאָ֕רֶץ the land H776
הָאָ֕רֶץ the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 5 of 15
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
וְשָׁ֙מָּה֙ H8033
וְשָׁ֙מָּה֙
Strong's: H8033
Word #: 6 of 15
there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence
לֹ֣א H3808
לֹ֣א
Strong's: H3808
Word #: 7 of 15
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
תָב֔וֹא before thee but thou shalt not go H935
תָב֔וֹא before thee but thou shalt not go
Strong's: H935
Word #: 8 of 15
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 9 of 15
near, with or among; often in general, to
הָאָ֕רֶץ the land H776
הָאָ֕רֶץ the land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 10 of 15
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֲשֶׁר H834
אֲשֶׁר
Strong's: H834
Word #: 11 of 15
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
אֲנִ֥י H589
אֲנִ֥י
Strong's: H589
Word #: 12 of 15
i
נֹתֵ֖ן which I give H5414
נֹתֵ֖ן which I give
Strong's: H5414
Word #: 13 of 15
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
לִבְנֵ֥י the children H1121
לִבְנֵ֥י the children
Strong's: H1121
Word #: 14 of 15
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 15 of 15
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis & Commentary

Yet thou shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel—the Hebrew conjunction kî (כִּי, 'yet/for') introduces a bittersweet concession. Moses will see (tirʾeh, תִרְאֶה) but not enter (lōʾ ṯāḇôʾ šāmmāh, לֹא תָבוֹא שָׁמָּה, 'you shall not go there'). The phrase minneḡeḏ (מִנֶּגֶד, 'from before/opposite') means from a distance.

This is simultaneously grace and judgment: grace that Moses sees God's faithfulness to His promises, judgment that he cannot participate. The viewing from Nebo becomes an acted parable of Old Covenant limitations—the law could show God's promises but not bring us into them. Hebrews 11:39-40 applies this principle: Old Testament saints saw promises 'from afar' but didn't receive them, awaiting the better covenant. Yet Moses later appears in the Promised Land—at Christ's transfiguration (Matthew 17:3), showing that God's final word is not exclusion but resurrection.

Historical Context

Moses's death is recorded in Deuteronomy 34:5-7. God buried him in an unknown location to prevent idolatry. Jude 9 records that Michael the archangel disputed with Satan over Moses's body, suggesting spiritual warfare over this unique servant. Moses's appearance at the Transfiguration (AD 29-30) demonstrated that death is not the final word.

Questions for Reflection

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