Deuteronomy Chapter 34 — The Death of Moses
Moses views the Promised Land from Mount Nebo before passing away at the age of 120, and Joshua succeeds him as the leader of Israel.
1Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is opposite Jericho. The LORD showed him all the land of Gilead to Dan,
2and all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, to the Western Sea,
3and the south,*or, Negev and the Plain of the valley of Jericho the city of palm trees, to Zoar.
4The LORD said to him, “This is the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your offspring.’ I have caused you to see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.”
5So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the LORD’s word.
6He buried him in the valley in the land of Moab opposite Beth Peor, but no man knows where his tomb is to this day.
7Moses was one hundred twenty years old when he died. His eye was not dim, nor his strength gone.
8The children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days, until the days of weeping in the mourning for Moses were ended.
9Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom, for Moses had laid his hands on him. The children of Israel listened to him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.
10Since then, there has not arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,
11in 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,
12and in all the mighty hand, and in all the awesome deeds, which Moses did in the sight of all Israel.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
Deuteronomy 34:4
“The LORD said to him, “This is the land which I swore to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, saying, ‘I will give it to your offspring.’ I have caused you to see it with your eyes, but you shall not go over there.””
This verse confirms God's fulfillment of the covenant promise made to the patriarchs while maintaining the specific boundary set for Moses.
Deuteronomy 34:10
“Since then, there has not arisen a prophet in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,”
This verse highlights Moses' unique status and intimate relationship with God compared to all other prophets in Israel's history.
Chapter Summary
In the final chapter of Deuteronomy, Moses ascends Mount Nebo to the peak of Pisgah. From this vantage point, the Lord shows him the full extent of the Promised Land, from Gilead to the Western Sea. Although Moses sees the land promised to the patriarchs, God informs him that he will not cross over into it. Moses, described as the servant of the Lord, dies in the land of Moab at the age of 120. The text notes that his physical strength and vision remained strong until his death. God buries him in a secret location in a valley in Moab. The Israelites mourn Moses for thirty days. Following his death, Joshua son of Nun becomes the new leader, filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. The chapter concludes by honoring Moses as a unique prophet who knew the Lord face to face and performed unprecedented signs and wonders in Egypt, marking the conclusion of his leadership and the Pentateuch.
Frequently Asked Questions
Moses died in the land of Moab on Mount Nebo, specifically at the top of Pisgah. According to the text, the Lord buried him in a valley in Moab opposite Beth Peor, but the exact location of his tomb remains unknown to this day.
Moses was 120 years old at the time of his death. Despite his advanced age, the scripture notes that his eyesight had not dimmed and his physical strength had not left him.
Joshua the son of Nun succeeded Moses as leader. He was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him, and the Israelites followed his leadership just as the Lord had commanded.
Study Note
The account of Moses' death and the evaluation of his unique prophetic status suggests that this concluding chapter was likely recorded by a later inspired author to complete the Pentateuch.
Related Chapters
Joshua Chapter 1
This chapter immediately follows the death of Moses and depicts Joshua taking command of the Israelites.
Numbers Chapter 27
This chapter records the earlier moment when Moses formally commissioned Joshua as his successor.
Exodus Chapter 33
This chapter provides context for the unique 'face to face' relationship Moses shared with God.
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