Deuteronomy 4:21
Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, and sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not go in unto that good land, which the LORD thy God giveth thee for an inheritance:
Original Language Analysis
יְהוָ֣ה
Furthermore the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
Furthermore the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
1 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
4 of 21
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
דִּבְרֵיכֶ֑ם
with me for your sakes
H1697
דִּבְרֵיכֶ֑ם
with me for your sakes
Strong's:
H1697
Word #:
5 of 21
a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause
וַיִּשָּׁבַ֗ע
and sware
H7650
וַיִּשָּׁבַ֗ע
and sware
Strong's:
H7650
Word #:
6 of 21
to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)
לְבִלְתִּ֤י
H1115
לְבִלְתִּ֤י
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
7 of 21
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
עָבְרִי֙
that I should not go over
H5674
עָבְרִי֙
that I should not go over
Strong's:
H5674
Word #:
8 of 21
to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in
אֶת
H853
אֶת
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
9 of 21
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
וּלְבִלְתִּי
H1115
וּלְבִלְתִּי
Strong's:
H1115
Word #:
11 of 21
properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n
בֹא֙
and that I should not go
H935
בֹא֙
and that I should not go
Strong's:
H935
Word #:
12 of 21
to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)
הַטּוֹבָ֔ה
in unto that good
H2896
הַטּוֹבָ֔ה
in unto that good
Strong's:
H2896
Word #:
15 of 21
good (as an adjective) in the widest sense; used likewise as a noun, both in the masculine and the feminine, the singular and the plural (good, a good
אֲשֶׁר֙
H834
אֲשֶׁר֙
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
16 of 21
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
יְהוָ֣ה
Furthermore the LORD
H3068
יְהוָ֣ה
Furthermore the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
17 of 21
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
H430
אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ
thy God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
18 of 21
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
Cross References
Deuteronomy 1:37Also the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, saying, Thou also shalt not go in thither.Numbers 20:12And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.Deuteronomy 3:26But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter.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.
Historical Context
Moses recounts God's anger with him for the sake of the people, referencing the incident at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh (Numbers 20:10-12) where Moses struck the rock instead of speaking to it. This occurred approximately 40 years after the Exodus, shortly before Israel would enter Canaan without their leader who had guided them since Egypt.
Questions for Reflection
- How does Moses' acceptance of God's discipline without bitterness challenge your response to consequences for your own failures?
- What does it mean that spiritual leaders bear greater accountability, and how should this shape your prayers for those in authority?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, and sware that I should not go over Jordan...
Moses reveals the deeply personal cost of leadership: God's wrath fell upon him 'for your sakes' (biglalkem, בִּגְלַלְכֶם), meaning 'on your account' or 'because of you.' At Meribah, provoked by Israel's complaints, Moses struck the rock twice instead of speaking to it as commanded (Numbers 20:10-12). His sin was not merely impatience but a failure to sanctify God before the people, treating divine commands as optional under pressure.
The Hebrew qatsaph (קָצַף, 'was angry') denotes burning wrath, and God's oath (nishba, נִשְׁבַּע, 'sware') made the judgment irrevocable. Moses would not enter 'that good land' (ha'arets hatovah)—the very inheritance he had labored forty years to secure for others. This demonstrates that leaders bear greater accountability (James 3:1) and that proximity to God's work does not exempt one from God's standards.
Yet Moses does not blame Israel or harbor bitterness. His transparency about personal failure serves the people's instruction, warning them that even the greatest servant of God faces consequences for disobedience. Grace does not eliminate discipline; faithfulness in service does not guarantee immunity from judgment.