King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 34:9 Mean?

“And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.”

Context

And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated. natural: Heb. moisture abated: Heb. fled

And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.

And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.

And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,

In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land,

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Topics in This Verse

Holy Spirit Wisdom

Commentary

Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers

(9) **And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom.**—Probably we should connect this with the preceding verse, “The days of mourning for Moses were ended,” and ended more naturally because Joshua proved so well able to meet the wants of the people. **Moses had laid his hands upon him.**—See Numbers 27:18; Numbers 27:23. It is the first example of “ordination” in Holy Scripture. **And did as the Lord commanded Moses.**—Not “commanded Joshua.” Joshua would not separate himself from the law given by his Master. Is it not true that when the Israel of God *hearken to the true Joshua, *they must needs do *as the Lord commanded Moses?*[11] [11] It may be worth while to remark that nowhere does this phrase occur so often as in the record of the setting up of the tabernacle in the last chapter of Exodus. *Seven times *it is written there that all was done *as the Lord commanded Moses. *Is it not a figure of the “true tabernacle which the Lord pitched, and not man”—the temple of His *Body, *which was *prepared “to do Thy will, O God”?*

Charles John Ellicott (1819–1905). Public Domain.

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 34:9 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.