Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy 34

Verse 1

the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. Compare App-4 .

shewed him = caused him to see. Compare Matthew 4:8 . Luke 4:5 .

Dan. Compare Genesis 14:14 . Not Judges 18:29 .

Verse 2

utmost sea. Called "the great sea". See Joel 2:20 , and Zechariah 14:8 , where Authorized Version and Revised Version not correct.

Verse 3

south = the "Negeb". See note on Genesis 12:8 , Genesis 12:9 ; Genesis 13:3 , &c.

Verse 4

said. See note on Deuteronomy 2:9 .

I sware. See Genesis 12:7 ; Genesis 13:17 ; and compare Deuteronomy 3:27 .

unto Abraham. All three Patriarchs named.

Verse 5

Moses the servant of the LORD. First occurrence. Occurs eighteen times. See Joshua 1:1 , Joshua 1:13 , Joshua 1:15 ; Joshua 8:31 , Joshua 8:33 ; Joshua 11:12 ; Joshua 12:6 , Joshua 12:6 ; Joshua 13:8 ; Joshua 14:7 ; Joshua 18:7 ; Joshua 22:2 , Joshua 22:4 , Joshua 22:5 ; 2 Kings 18:12 . 2Ch 1:3 ; 2 Chronicles 24:6 ; and compare Hebrews 3:1-6 . Compare for other variations of Moses as a servant, Exodus 14:31 . Num 12:7 . 1 Kings 8:53 .

word. Hebrew mouth. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), App-6 , put for what is spoken by it.

Verse 6

He buried him = Jehovah buried Moses. Said of no other. Hence, when raised for the Transfiguration, Satan, who has the power of death (Hebrews 2:14 ), "contended" with Michael about his body, Jude 1:9 . So God has buried the Law for those who, being "in Christ", have died and are dead to the Law. Compare Romans 6:2 , Romans 6:6-8 ; Romans 7:1-5 , Romans 7:6 (margin).

man. Hebrew. 'ish . App-14 .

an hundred and twenty years old. Moses died the youngest of any of his kindred, e.g. Levi was 137, Kohath 133, Amram 137, Aaron 123, Miriam 126 or more.

natural force = moisture, or freshness.

Verse 8

children = sons.

thirty days. The mourning lasted from thirtieth day of the eleventh month (Sebat) till the twenty-ninth (and last) day of the twelfth month (Adar). See App-51 . Thus the forty years were completed: from 1st Abib, 1491., See App-50 .

Verse 9

Joshua. Compare Numbers 27:23 .

spirit. Hebrew. ruach. App-9 .

as = according as.

Verse 10

a prophet. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Genus). App-6 . A common name put for a proper name, Moses being the prophet. App-6 .

face to face. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 . Compare Deuteronomy 6:4 , Deuteronomy 6:5 .