---
title: "Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible -  Deuteronomy 34"
description: "CHAPTER 34   :-. MOSES FROM
MOUNT NEBO
VIEWS THE LAND. 1. Moses went up from the plains of
Moab—This chapter appears from internal evidence to have been
w"
image: "/images/missing.jpg"
url: "https://realbiblebelievers.com/commentaries/commentary-critical-and-explanatory-on-the-whole-bible/deuteronomy/34"
---

CHAPTER 34

. MOSES FROM
MOUNT NEBO
VIEWS THE LAND.

**1. Moses went up from the plains of
Moab**—This chapter appears from internal evidence to have been
written subsequently to the death of Moses, and it probably formed,
at one time, an introduction to the Book of Joshua.
**unto the mountain of Nebo, to
the top of Pisgah**—literally, the head or summit of *the
Pisgah;* that is, the height (compare [Numbers 23:14](../../../kjv/numbers/23/14);
[Deuteronomy 3:17-27](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/3/17-27); [Deuteronomy 4:49](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/4/49)).
The general name given to the whole mountain range east of Jordan,
was Abarim (compare [Deuteronomy 32:49](../../../kjv/deuteronomy/32/49)),
and the peak to which Moses ascended was dedicated to the heathen
Nebo, as Balaam's standing place had been consecrated to Peor. Some
modern travellers have fixed on Jebel Attarus, a high mountain south
of the Jabbok (Zurka), as the Nebo of this passage [BURCKHARDT,
SEETZEN, c.]. But it is
situated too far north for a height which, being described as "over
against Jericho," must be looked for above the last stage of the
Jordan.
**the Lord showed him all the
land of Gilead**—That pastoral region was discernible at the
northern extremity of the mountain line on which he stood, till it
ended, far beyond his sight in Dan. Westward, there were on the
horizon, the distant hills of "all Naphtali." Coming
nearer, was "the land of Ephraim and Manasseh." Immediately
opposite was "all the land of Judah," a title at first
restricted to the portion of this tribe, beyond which were "the
utmost sea" (the Mediterranean) and the Desert of the "South."
These were the four great marks of the future inheritance of his
people, on which the narrative fixes our attention. Immediately below
him was "the circle" of the plain of Jericho, with its
oasis of palm trees and far away on his left, the last inhabited spot
before the great desert "Zoar." The foreground of the
picture alone was clearly discernible. There was no miraculous power
of vision imparted to Moses. That he should see all that is described
is what any man could do, if he attained sufficient elevation. The
atmosphere of the climate is so subtle and free from vapor that the
sight is carried to a distance of which the beholder, who judges from
the more dense air of Europe, can form no idea [VERE
MONRO]. But between him
and that "good land," the deep valley of the Jordan
intervened; "he was not to go over thither."

**5. Moses . . . died**—After
having governed the Israelites forty years.

**6. he buried him**—or, "he
was buried in a valley," that is, a ravine or gorge of the
Pisgah. Some think that he entered a cave and there died, being,
according to an ancient tradition of Jews and Christians, buried by
angels ([Judges 1:9](../../../kjv/judges/1/9); [Numbers 21:20](../../../kjv/numbers/21/20)).
**no man knoweth of his
sepulchre unto this day**—This concealment seems to have been
owing to a special and wise arrangement of Providence, to prevent its
being ranked among "holy places," and made the resort of
superstitious pilgrims or idolatrous veneration, in after ages.

**8. wept for Moses . . . thirty
days**—Seven days was the usual period of mourning, but for
persons in high rank or official eminence, it was extended to thirty
([Genesis 50:3-10](../../../kjv/genesis/50/3-10); [Numbers 20:29](../../../kjv/numbers/20/29)).

**9. Joshua . . . was full of the
spirit of wisdom**—He was appointed to a peculiar and
extraordinary office. He was not the successor of Moses, for he was
not a prophet or civil ruler, but the general or leader, called to
head the people in the war of invasion and the subsequent allocation
of the tribes.

**10-12. there arose not a prophet
since**—In whatever light we view this extraordinary man, the
eulogy pronounced in these inspired words will appear just. No Hebrew
prophet or ruler equalled him in character or official dignity, or in
knowledge of God's will and opportunities of announcing it.

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