King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 32:49 Mean?

Deuteronomy 32:49 in the King James Version says “Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and ... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 32 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession:

Deuteronomy 32:49 · KJV


Context

47

For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.

48

And the LORD spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying,

49

Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo, which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho; and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession:

50

And 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:

51

Because ye trespassed against me among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh , in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified me not in the midst of the children of Israel. Meribah-Kadesh: or, strife at Kadesh


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Get thee up into this mountain Abarim, unto mount Nebo—Hebrew ʿălēh ʾel-har hāʿăḇārîm hazzeh har-nǝḇô (עֲלֵה אֶל־הַר הָעֲבָרִים הַזֶּה הַר־נְבוֹ). Abarim means 'regions beyond/passages,' and Nebo (possibly from Akkadian nabû, 'to proclaim') rises 2,680 feet above the Dead Sea. Which is in the land of Moab, that is over against Jericho—geographically precise, placing Nebo east of Jericho across the Jordan. And behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children of Israel for a possession—Moses will see but not enter.

The command 'Get thee up' (ʿălēh) is the same used for going up to worship. Moses's death becomes an ascent—not just geographically but spiritually. He will see the Promised Land from afar, a bittersweet grace. The phrase 'which I give' (present tense) assures Moses that despite his exclusion, God's promise stands. Hebrews 11:13-16 interprets this as Moses looking beyond earthly Canaan to the heavenly.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

Mount Nebo is in modern Jordan, overlooking the Jordan Valley. From its summit, one can see Jerusalem 35 miles away on clear days. Archaeological excavations have uncovered Byzantine churches commemorating Moses's death. The site remains a pilgrimage destination for Jews, Christians, and Muslims.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Moses's seeing but not entering Canaan reflect the experience of faith under the Old Covenant?
  2. What does it mean to trust God's promises even when you won't personally see their fulfillment?
  3. How does Moses's exclusion from Canaan foreshadow the greater rest that Christ would bring (Hebrews 4)?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
עֲלֵ֡ה1 of 24

Get thee up

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

אֶל2 of 24
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הַר3 of 24

into this mountain

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

הָֽעֲבָרִ֨ים4 of 24

Abarim

H5682

abarim, a place in palestine

הַזֶּ֜ה5 of 24
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

הַר6 of 24

into this mountain

H2022

a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively)

נְב֗וֹ7 of 24

Nebo

H5015

nebo, the name of a babylonian deity

אֲשֶׁר֙8 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֶ֣רֶץ9 of 24

the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

מוֹאָ֔ב10 of 24

of Moab

H4124

moab, an incestuous son of lot; also his territory and descendants

אֲשֶׁ֖ר11 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

עַל12 of 24
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

פְּנֵ֣י13 of 24

that is over against

H6440

the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi

יְרֵח֑וֹ14 of 24

Jericho

H3405

jericho or jerecho, a place in palestine

וּרְאֵה֙15 of 24

and behold

H7200

to see, literally or figuratively (in numerous applications, direct and implied, transitive, intransitive and causative)

אֶת16 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

אֶ֣רֶץ17 of 24

the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

כְּנַ֔עַן18 of 24

of Canaan

H3667

kenaan, a son a ham; also the country inhabited by him

אֲשֶׁ֨ר19 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

אֲנִ֥י20 of 24
H589

i

נֹתֵ֛ן21 of 24

which I give

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

לִבְנֵ֥י22 of 24

unto the children

H1121

a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or

יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל23 of 24

of Israel

H3478

he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

לַֽאֲחֻזָּֽה׃24 of 24

for a possession

H272

something seized, i.e., a possession (especially of land)


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 32:49 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 32:49 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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