King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 4:21 Mean?

Deuteronomy 4:21 in the King James Version says “Furthermore the LORD was angry with me for your sakes, and sware that I should not go over Jordan, and that I should not...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 4 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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:”

Deuteronomy 4:21 · KJV

Context

19

And lest thou lift up thine eyes unto heaven, and when thou seest the sun, and the moon, and the stars, even all the host of heaven, shouldest be driven to worship them, and serve them, which the LORD thy God hath divided unto all nations under the whole heaven. divided: or, imparted

20

But the LORD hath taken you, and brought you forth out of the iron furnace, even out of Egypt, to be unto him a people of inheritance, as ye are this day.

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:

22

But I must die in this land, I must not go over Jordan: but ye shall go over, and possess that good land.

23

Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee.

Read Deuteronomy 4 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study 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.

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Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does Moses' acceptance of God's discipline without bitterness challenge your response to consequences for your own failures?
  2. What does it mean that spiritual leaders bear greater accountability, and how should this shape your prayers for those in authority?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
יְהוָ֣ה1 of 21

“Furthermore the LORD”

H3068

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

הִתְאַנֶּף2 of 21

“was angry”

H599

to breathe hard, i.e., be enraged

בִּ֖י3 of 21
H0
עַל4 of 21
H5921

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

דִּבְרֵיכֶ֑ם5 of 21

“with me for your sakes”

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

וַיִּשָּׁבַ֗ע6 of 21

“and sware”

H7650

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

לְבִלְתִּ֤י7 of 21
H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

עָבְרִי֙8 of 21

“that I should not go over”

H5674

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

אֶת9 of 21
H853

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

הַיַּרְדֵּ֔ן10 of 21

“Jordan”

H3383

jarden, the principal river of palestine

וּלְבִלְתִּי11 of 21
H1115

properly, a failure of, i.e., (used only as a negative particle, usually with a prepositional prefix) not, except, without, unless, besides, because n

בֹא֙12 of 21

“and that I should not go”

H935

to go or come (in a wide variety of applications)

אֶל13 of 21
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

הָאָ֣רֶץ14 of 21

“land”

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַטּוֹבָ֔ה15 of 21

“in unto that good”

H2896

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

אֲשֶׁר֙16 of 21
H834

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

יְהוָ֣ה17 of 21

“Furthermore the LORD”

H3068

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

אֱלֹהֶ֔יךָ18 of 21

“thy God”

H430

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

נֹתֵ֥ן19 of 21

“giveth”

H5414

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

לְךָ֖20 of 21
H0
נַֽחֲלָֽה׃21 of 21

“thee for an inheritance”

H5159

properly, something inherited, i.e., (abstractly) occupancy, or (concretely) an heirloom; generally an estate, patrimony or portion

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 4:21 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 4:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Numbers 20:12Deuteronomy 1:37Psalms 106:32-33Deuteronomy 31:2Deuteronomy 3:26

Places in This Verse

JordanRiver · Modern: Jordan River · 31.76°N, 35.56°E202 verses across 21 books
View all places in Deuteronomy 4 →

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