King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 34:4 Mean?

Deuteronomy 34:4 in the King James Version says “And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 34 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.

Deuteronomy 34:4 · KJV


Context

2

And all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the utmost sea,

3

And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees , unto Zoar.

4

And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.

5

So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.

6

And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Bethpeor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
God shows Moses the Promised Land: 'And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.' The poignant scene reveals both grace (Moses sees the land) and discipline (he doesn't enter). God's oath to the patriarchs reaches fulfillment, though Moses personally experiences consequences of his sin at Meribah (Numbers 20:12). This demonstrates that God's promises don't depend on individual faithfulness—He's faithful even when His servants fail.

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Historical & Cultural Context

Moses views Canaan from Mount Nebo's summit (Deuteronomy 34:1), seeing the entire land by divine enabling—naturally impossible from that vantage point. The land's division among tribes (Joshua 13-21) fulfilled centuries-old promises to Abraham (Genesis 12:7; 15:18-21), Isaac (Genesis 26:3), and Jacob (Genesis 28:13). Moses' death outside Canaan didn't nullify the promise; Joshua led Israel to possess it. This foreshadows greater reality—Moses represents the law's limitation; Jesus brings believers into eternal rest (Hebrews 3:7-4:11).

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Moses' exclusion from Canaan demonstrate that sin has consequences even for forgiven believers?
  2. What does God's faithfulness to patriarchal promises, despite Moses' failure, teach about covenant reliability?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 18 words
לֵאמֹ֔ר1 of 18

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

יְהוָ֜ה2 of 18

And the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֵלָ֗יו3 of 18
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

זֹ֤את4 of 18
H2063

this (often used adverb)

הָאָ֙רֶץ֙5 of 18

unto him This is the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

אֲשֶׁ֣ר6 of 18
H834

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

נִ֠שְׁבַּעְתִּי7 of 18

which I sware

H7650

to seven oneself, i.e., swear (as if by repeating a declaration seven times)

לְאַבְרָהָ֨ם8 of 18

unto Abraham

H85

abraham, the later name of abram

לְיִצְחָ֤ק9 of 18

unto Isaac

H3327

jitschak (or isaac), son of abraham

וּֽלְיַעֲקֹב֙10 of 18

and unto Jacob

H3290

jaakob, the israelitish patriarch

לֵאמֹ֔ר11 of 18

said

H559

to say (used with great latitude)

לְזַרְעֲךָ֖12 of 18

it unto thy seed

H2233

seed; figuratively, fruit, plant, sowing-time, posterity

אֶתְּנֶ֑נָּה13 of 18

I will give

H5414

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

הֶרְאִיתִ֣יךָ14 of 18

I have caused thee to see

H7200

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

בְעֵינֶ֔יךָ15 of 18

it with thine eyes

H5869

an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)

וְשָׁ֖מָּה16 of 18
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

לֹ֥א17 of 18
H3808

not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles

תַֽעֲבֹֽר׃18 of 18

but thou shalt not go over

H5674

to cross over; used very widely of any transition (literal or figurative; transitive, intransitive, intensive, causative); specifically, to cover (in


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 34:4 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 34:4 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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