Deuteronomy 34:10
And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,
Original Language Analysis
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
1 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
קָ֨ם
And there arose
H6965
קָ֨ם
And there arose
Strong's:
H6965
Word #:
2 of 12
to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative)
ע֛וֹד
since
H5750
ע֛וֹד
since
Strong's:
H5750
Word #:
4 of 12
properly, iteration or continuance; used only adverbially (with or without preposition), again, repeatedly, still, more
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
in Israel
H3478
בְּיִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
in Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
5 of 12
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
7 of 12
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְדָע֣וֹ
knew
H3045
יְדָע֣וֹ
knew
Strong's:
H3045
Word #:
8 of 12
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
יְהוָ֔ה
whom the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֔ה
whom the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
9 of 12
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
Historical Context
Moses died circa 1406 BC after 120 years, maintaining physical vigor until death (Deuteronomy 34:7). His burial location remained secret, preventing idolatrous veneration. Israel mourned thirty days before Joshua led them into Canaan. No subsequent prophet matched Moses—Samuel, Elijah, Elisha, Isaiah, and Jeremiah all had unique ministries, but none combined Moses' roles. Jesus explicitly identified Himself as the prophet like Moses (John 5:45-47), and New Testament writers consistently make this connection (Acts 3:22-26; Hebrews 3:1-6).
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses' face-to-face knowledge of God foreshadow Christ's unique revelation of the Father?
- What does Moses' unmatched prophetic status teach about God's progressive revelation culminating in Christ?
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Analysis & Commentary
The chapter concludes: 'And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face.' The phrase 'face to face' (Hebrew panim el-panim) indicates intimate, direct communication unmatched by other prophets. Moses' uniqueness lay in immediacy of divine revelation and scope of ministry—lawgiver, deliverer, covenant mediator. However, this statement anticipated a future prophet like Moses (Deuteronomy 18:15-18)—fulfilled in Christ, the ultimate Prophet who knows the Father intimately (John 1:18) and mediates the New Covenant (Hebrews 8:6; 9:15).