Deuteronomy 34:5
So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.
Original Language Analysis
וַיָּ֨מָת
died
H4191
וַיָּ֨מָת
died
Strong's:
H4191
Word #:
1 of 10
to die (literally or figuratively); causatively, to kill
שָׁ֜ם
H8033
יְהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
H3068
יְהוָֽה׃
of the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
5 of 10
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ
there in the land
H776
בְּאֶ֥רֶץ
there in the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
6 of 10
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
מוֹאָ֖ב
of Moab
H4124
מוֹאָ֖ב
of Moab
Strong's:
H4124
Word #:
7 of 10
moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
8 of 10
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Deuteronomy 32:50And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people:Revelation 15:3And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints.
Historical Context
Moses died circa 1406 BC (traditional dating) at age 120, having led Israel for forty years through wilderness wandering. No prophet of Moses' stature would arise in Israel until Christ (Deuteronomy 34:10-12). His burial location remained unknown to prevent shrine veneration (Deuteronomy 34:6), keeping Israel's worship directed toward God alone. Moses' appearance with Elijah at the Transfiguration (Matthew 17:3) demonstrates his continuing significance in redemptive history, representing the Law that points to Christ.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses' death outside Canaan demonstrate that even faithful service cannot earn our way into God's presence?
- In what ways does Moses' role as mediator foreshadow the greater mediation of Christ, who fully brings us into God's rest?
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Analysis & Commentary
So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD. The title eved YHWH (servant of the LORD) appears only here in the Pentateuch regarding Moses, marking the supreme honor of faithful service completed. Jewish tradition notes the phrase al-pi YHWH (literally 'by the mouth of the LORD') can mean both 'according to the word' and 'by the kiss of God'—suggesting Moses died not by natural causes but by divine intimacy, God himself taking his soul.
Moses' death in Moab, outside the Promised Land, fulfills the judgment pronounced at Meribah (Numbers 20:12). Yet this apparent failure becomes profound theology: even the greatest mediator cannot bring God's people into final rest. The incompleteness points beyond Moses to the greater Prophet who would truly lead His people into God's presence (Deuteronomy 18:15; Hebrews 3:1-6). Jude 9 reveals that Michael the archangel contended with Satan over Moses' body, suggesting Moses' unique role in redemptive history made even his burial a matter of cosmic significance.