Deuteronomy 34:7
And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.
Original Language Analysis
בֶּן
old
H1121
בֶּן
old
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
2 of 12
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
מֵאָ֧ה
was an hundred
H3967
מֵאָ֧ה
was an hundred
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
3 of 12
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
בְּמֹת֑וֹ
when he died
H4194
בְּמֹת֑וֹ
when he died
Strong's:
H4194
Word #:
6 of 12
death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
כָהֲתָ֥ה
was not dim
H3543
כָהֲתָ֥ה
was not dim
Strong's:
H3543
Word #:
8 of 12
to be weak, i.e., (figuratively) to despond (causatively, rebuke), or (of light, the eye) to grow dull
עֵינ֖וֹ
his eye
H5869
עֵינ֖וֹ
his eye
Strong's:
H5869
Word #:
9 of 12
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
וְלֹא
H3808
וְלֹא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
10 of 12
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
Cross References
Deuteronomy 31:2And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan.Genesis 27:1And it came to pass, that when Isaac was old, and his eyes were dim, so that he could not see, he called Esau his eldest son, and said unto him, My son: and he said unto him, Behold, here am I.Acts 7:36He brought them out, after that he had shewed wonders and signs in the land of Egypt, and in the Red sea, and in the wilderness forty years.Genesis 48:10Now the eyes of Israel were dim for age, so that he could not see. And he brought them near unto him; and he kissed them, and embraced them.Acts 7:30And when forty years were expired, there appeared to him in the wilderness of mount Sina an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush.Acts 7:23And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.
Historical Context
The 120-year lifespan became proverbial (Genesis 6:3), though not a strict limit. Moses' three 40-year periods parallel Israel's testing periods. His vigor at death contrasts sharply with Isaac's blindness (Genesis 27:1) and Jacob's frailty (Genesis 48:10), emphasizing that God sustained Moses uniquely for his unique calling. Ancient Near Eastern literature sometimes attributed exceptional longevity to heroes, but Moses' account is presented as straightforward history, not legend.
Questions for Reflection
- How does God's sustaining of Moses' strength throughout his service encourage you to trust Him for the resources needed for your calling?
- What does Moses' removal while still vigorous teach about God's sovereignty over timing in leadership transitions?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. The phrase lo-khahah eno (his eye was not dim) and lo-nas lekho (his vigor/moisture had not fled) emphasize Moses' supernatural preservation despite advanced age. The 120 years divide neatly into three 40-year periods: Egyptian prince, Midianite shepherd, and Israel's deliverer—each phase preparing him for the next in God's providence.
This vigorous health at death highlights that Moses died by divine appointment, not natural decline. His unimpaired faculties meant he could have continued leading, but God's timing is sovereign—removal from leadership comes not from incapacity but from God's purposes. The contrast between Moses' physical vitality and his exclusion from Canaan underscores that spiritual consequences transcend physical circumstances. His strength served Israel to the very end, yet sin's consequences remained.