Deuteronomy 34:12

Authorized King James Version

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And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.

Original Language Analysis

וּלְכֹל֙ H3605
וּלְכֹל֙
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 1 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַיָּ֣ד hand H3027
הַיָּ֣ד hand
Strong's: H3027
Word #: 2 of 12
a hand (the open one [indicating power, means, direction, etc.], in distinction from h3709, the closed one); used (as noun, adverb, etc.) in a great v
הַֽחֲזָקָ֔ה And in all that mighty H2389
הַֽחֲזָקָ֔ה And in all that mighty
Strong's: H2389
Word #: 3 of 12
strong (usu. in a bad sense, hard, bold, violent)
וּלְכֹ֖ל H3605
וּלְכֹ֖ל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 4 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
הַמּוֹרָ֣א terror H4172
הַמּוֹרָ֣א terror
Strong's: H4172
Word #: 5 of 12
fear; by implication, a fearful thing or deed
הַגָּד֑וֹל and in all the great H1419
הַגָּד֑וֹל and in all the great
Strong's: H1419
Word #: 6 of 12
great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
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
עָשָׂ֣ה shewed H6213
עָשָׂ֣ה shewed
Strong's: H6213
Word #: 8 of 12
to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application
מֹשֶׁ֔ה which Moses H4872
מֹשֶׁ֔ה which Moses
Strong's: H4872
Word #: 9 of 12
mosheh, the israelite lawgiver
לְעֵינֵ֖י in the sight H5869
לְעֵינֵ֖י in the sight
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 10 of 12
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
כָּל H3605
כָּל
Strong's: H3605
Word #: 11 of 12
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of all Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל׃ of all Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 12 of 12
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

Analysis & Commentary

And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel—concluding Moses's epitaph, emphasizing the comprehensive power displayed through his ministry. The Hebrew yad chazaqah (יָד חֲזָקָה, 'mighty hand') and mora gadol (מוֹרָא גָדוֹל, 'great terror/awesome deeds') summarize both the Exodus deliverance and Sinai theophany. In the sight of all Israel—these weren't private mystical experiences but public demonstrations witnessed by the entire nation.

The 'mighty hand' motif appears throughout Deuteronomy (4:34, 5:15, 6:21, 7:8, 26:8), always referring to God's powerful acts through Moses at the Exodus. The 'great terror' likely includes the Red Sea crossing, the Sinai manifestation, and perhaps judgments like Korah's rebellion (Numbers 16). Moses's ministry was public and verifiable—Israel saw these events collectively, creating national memory that couldn't be dismissed as legend. This eyewitness testimony pattern continues in the New Testament: apostles testified to Christ's resurrection as public fact (1 Corinthians 15:6—'most of whom are still living').

Historical Context

Written circa 1406 BC as Deuteronomy's closing verse, finalizing Moses's legacy. The book ends not with sentimental biography but theological assessment: Moses mattered because God worked powerfully through him. Deuteronomy 34:10 already stated 'no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face'—the highest possible tribute until Christ came. Moses died at 120 with undiminished strength (34:7), was buried by God Himself in an unmarked grave (34:6), and was mourned for thirty days (34:8). His life framed the Pentateuch; his death marked transition to Joshua's conquest and Israel's new chapter.

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