Deuteronomy 34:1
And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan,
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּ֨עַל
went up
H5927
וַיַּ֨עַל
went up
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
1 of 22
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
מֵֽעַרְבֹ֤ת
from the plains
H6160
מֵֽעַרְבֹ֤ת
from the plains
Strong's:
H6160
Word #:
3 of 22
a desert; especially (with the article prefix) the (generally) sterile valley of the jordan and its continuation to the red sea
מוֹאָב֙
of Moab
H4124
מוֹאָב֙
of Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
4 of 22
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
הַ֣ר
unto the mountain
H2022
הַ֣ר
unto the mountain
Strong's:
H2022
Word #:
6 of 22
a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)
רֹ֚אשׁ
to the top
H7218
רֹ֚אשׁ
to the top
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
8 of 22
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֖ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 22
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
11 of 22
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
פְּנֵ֣י
that is over against
H6440
פְּנֵ֣י
that is over against
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
12 of 22
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
וַיַּרְאֵ֨הוּ
shewed
H7200
וַיַּרְאֵ֨הוּ
shewed
Strong's:
H7200
Word #:
14 of 22
to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)
יְהוָ֧ה
And the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֧ה
And the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
15 of 22
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
16 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
כָּל
H3605
כָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
17 of 22
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הָאָ֛רֶץ
him all the land
H776
הָאָ֛רֶץ
him all the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
18 of 22
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
19 of 22
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
הַגִּלְעָ֖ד
of Gilead
H1568
הַגִּלְעָ֖ד
of Gilead
Strong's:
H1568
Word #:
20 of 22
gilad, a region east of the jordan; also the name of three israelites
Cross References
Revelation 21:10And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,Deuteronomy 32:49Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession:Ezekiel 40:2In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south.Joshua 19:47And the coast of the children of Dan went out too little for them: therefore the children of Dan went up to fight against Leshem, and took it, and smote it with the edge of the sword, and possessed it, and dwelt therein, and called Leshem, Dan, after the name of Dan their father.Numbers 27:12And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel.
Historical Context
Mount Nebo is located in modern Jordan, about 10 miles east of where the Jordan River enters the Dead Sea, directly opposite Jericho. This occurred circa 1406 BC (traditional dating) just before Joshua led Israel across Jordan. The 'Dan' reference is proleptic (anticipatory), as Laish wasn't renamed Dan until Judges 18—either Moses used the later name prophetically, or this phrase was added editorially to clarify geography for later readers (common in ancient historiography).
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's grace in showing Moses the Promised Land despite his disqualification demonstrate His compassion within justice?
- What 'Nebo moments' have you experienced—seeing God's promises from afar without entering, yet trusting His goodness?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah—Moses's final journey ascends from the Jordan valley (900 feet below sea level) to Nebo's peak (2,680 feet), symbolizing his life's pilgrimage toward but not into the Promised Land. Har Nebo rosh ha-Pisgah (Mount Nebo, head/summit of Pisgah) overlooks the Jordan valley and provides a panoramic view of Canaan. Nebo was the Babylonian deity of wisdom/writing—ironic that YHWH's revelation to Moses culminates here, superseding pagan mythologies.
The LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan—Vayar'ehu YHWH (the LORD caused him to see) indicates supernatural vision. Natural sight couldn't encompass the entire promised territory from one vantage point; God gave Moses a prophetic, panoramic revelation of Israel's inheritance. From Gilead (Trans-Jordan) to Dan (far north)—this is comprehensive grace, letting Moses see what disobedience at Meribah (Numbers 20:12) prevented him from entering.