Moses Forbidden to Enter
Deuteronomy 3:21-29
Deu.3.21 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואת: CONJ
- יהושוע: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- צויתי: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,sg
- בעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
- עיניך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+2ms
- הראת: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- כל: DET
- אשר: PRON,rel
- עשה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- לשני: PREP+NUM,card,dual,m
- המלכים: NOUN,m,pl,def
- האלה: DEM,pl
- כן: ADV
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- לכל: PREP
- הממלכות: NOUN,f,pl,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- עבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- שמה: ADV
Parallels
- Numbers 27:18-23 (structural): God and Moses appoint Joshua as successor and Moses lays hands on him to give authority — the same transfer of leadership and commissioning context underlying Deut 3:21.
- Deuteronomy 31:7 (structural): Moses calls Joshua before all Israel and commands him to be strong and courageous — a closely related commissioning scene and directive to Joshua in the same narrative unit.
- Deuteronomy 31:23 (verbal): The LORD declares He has set Joshua over Israel and charges him — a direct, closely connected statement of Joshua's appointment and divine charge.
- Joshua 1:5-9 (thematic): God promises to be with Joshua as He was with Moses and urges courage and obedience — echoes Deut 3:21's assurance that the LORD will act for Joshua in future conquests as He did before.
- Joshua 23:3 (verbal): Joshua recounts to Israel that 'your eyes have seen all that the LORD your God has done' in defeating great kings — mirrors Deut 3:21's language about what Joshua has seen and the expectation of God's continued acts.
Alternative generated candidates
- And to Joshua I charged at that time, saying, "Your eyes have seen all that the LORD your God did to these two kings; so the LORD will do to all the kingdoms into which you pass over there."
- And to Joshua I commanded at that time, saying, “Your eyes have seen all that the LORD your God did to these two kings; so the LORD will do to all the kingdoms where you pass over.”
Deu.3.22 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- לא: PART_NEG
- תיראום: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,pl,3mp_obj
- כי: CONJ
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלהיכם: NOUN,m,pl,abs+PRON,2,m,pl
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- הנלחם: PART,niphal,ptc,3,m,sg,def
- לכם: PREP,2,m,pl
Parallels
- Exodus 14:14 (verbal): Shares the same promise that the LORD will fight on behalf of his people — 'The LORD will fight for you' — emphasizing divine agency in battle.
- Deuteronomy 1:30 (allusion): Echoes the assurance that 'the LORD your God who goes before you will himself fight for you,' explicitly recalling God's past deliverance (e.g., Egypt) as basis for confidence.
- Deuteronomy 20:4 (verbal): Gives a closely related command not to fear because 'the LORD your God goes with you, to fight for you,' applying the promise to warfare rules and morale.
- Joshua 23:10 (thematic): Affirms the same theological idea — God fights for Israel so that the few can defeat the many ('One of you shall chase a thousand') — using the promise as encouragement.
- 2 Chronicles 20:15-17 (thematic): Jehoshaphat's deliverance language: 'Do not be afraid... for the battle is not yours but God's,' reflecting the Deuteronomic assurance that God fights on Israel's behalf.
Alternative generated candidates
- Do not fear them; for the LORD your God is the one who fights for you.
- Do not be afraid of them; the LORD your God is the one who fights for you.
Deu.3.23 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ואתחנן: VERB,hitpael,impf,1,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בעת: PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ההוא: DEM,ms,sg
- לאמר: INF,qal,infc
Parallels
- Deut.3.26 (structural): Immediate narrative response to Moses’ entreaty — God answers directly and refuses Moses’ request to cross into the land.
- Deut.9.26-29 (verbal): Same verb and pattern of language (ואתחנן) as Moses intercedes on Israel’s behalf after the golden calf; shows Moses’ recurring role as mediator.
- Exod.32.11-14 (thematic): Moses’ passionate intercession for Israel after the golden calf — a closely parallel instance of Moses pleading with YHWH to change or relent.
- Num.14.13-19 (thematic): Another major episode of Moses’ entreaty on behalf of Israel, where he appeals to God’s character and reputation to avert punishment — similar content and purpose to Deut 3:23.
Alternative generated candidates
- And I entreated the LORD at that time, saying,
- At that time I entreated the LORD, saying,
Deu.3.24 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אדני: NOUN,m,sg,abs,1,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אתה: PRON,2,m,sg
- החלות: VERB,qal,perf,2,m,sg
- להראות: VERB,qal,inf
- את: PRT,acc
- עבדך: NOUN,m,sg,abs,2,ms
- את: PRT,acc
- גדלך: NOUN,m,sg,abs+2ms
- ואת: CONJ
- ידך: NOUN,f,sg,abs,poss:2,f,sg
- החזקה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- מי: PRON,interr,sg
- אל: NEG
- בשמים: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs
- ובארץ: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,cs
- אשר: PRON,rel
- יעשה: VERB,qal,imperfect,3,m,sg
- כמעשיך: PREP+NOUN,m,pl,abs+2ms
- וכגבורתך: CONJ+PREP+NOUN,f,sg,abs+2ms
Parallels
- Exodus 15:11 (verbal): Moses' song at the Red Sea asks rhetorically 'Who is like you, O LORD?' and praises God's wondrous deeds—very similar language and theme of God's unmatched greatness and mighty acts.
- Psalm 86:8 (verbal): 'Among the gods there is none like you; no works are like yours' closely echoes Deut 3:24's claim that no god in heaven or earth can do deeds like Yahweh.
- Psalm 77:13 (thematic): Declares God's unique greatness ('What god is great like our God?'), reflecting the same theme of singular divine power and wondrous acts found in Deut 3:24.
- Deut 4:34 (allusion): Within Deuteronomy itself the text rhetorically asks whether any god has done what Israel's God has done—repeating and expanding the claim about God's unparalleled deeds and mighty hand.
Alternative generated candidates
- O Lord GOD, you have begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. Who is there in heaven or on earth who can do deeds and mighty acts like your works and like your power?
- “O Lord GOD, you have begun to show your servant your greatness and your strong hand—who is God in heaven or on earth who can do deeds and mighty acts like yours?”
Deu.3.25 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- אעברה: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,?,sg
- נא: PART
- ואראה: VERB,qal,imperfect,1,com,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- הטובה: ADJ,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- בעבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הירדן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- ההר: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הטוב: ADJ,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- והלבנון: CONJ+NOUN,m,sg,def
Parallels
- Deut.34:1-4 (structural): Immediate narrative continuation: God brings Moses to the top of Mount Nebo and shows him the land from which he had asked to look but not enter — direct fulfillment of the desire expressed in Deut 3:25.
- Num.27:12-14 (verbal): God tells Moses to climb a mountain to view the land and explicitly says he will see it but not enter — wording and content closely parallel Moses’ petition in Deut 3:25.
- Num.20:12 (thematic): Explains why Moses’ request to enter/see the land is denied: because of his disobedience at Meribah; provides the theological background for the refusal implicit in Deut 3:25.
- Josh.1:2 (thematic): Contrasts Moses’ barred crossing with Joshua’s commission to cross the Jordan and enter the land; highlights the transition of leadership and the fulfillment of entry that Moses sought to witness.
Alternative generated candidates
- Let me, I pray, cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, this good hill country and Lebanon.
- Please let me cross and see the good land beyond the Jordan—the good hill, this good mountain, and Lebanon.
Deu.3.26 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ויתעבר: VERB,hitpael,impf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- בי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- למענכם: PREP,2,pl
- ולא: CONJ
- שמע: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- ויאמר: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- יהוה: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- רב: ADJ,m,sg
- לך: PRON,2,m,sg
- אל: NEG
- תוסף: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
- דבר: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- אלי: PREP+PRON,1,sg
- עוד: ADV
- בדבר: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Numbers 20:12 (thematic): Same episode (Meribah): God is angry with Moses for the people's sake and refuses to permit him to bring Israel into the land—explains the cause of God's refusal in Deut 3:26.
- Numbers 27:12-14 (structural): God repeats the sentence that Moses will not cross the Jordan and instructs him about his end—parallel narrative outcome to Moses' request and God's refusal in Deut 3:26.
- Numbers 14:20-23 (thematic): God's decree that the faithless generation shall not enter Canaan echoes the judgmental backdrop for why intercession on behalf of the people (and Moses' request) is refused.
- Jeremiah 11:14 (verbal): God tells Jeremiah not to pray for the people and says He will not hear—a prophetic analogue to God's command to Moses in Deut 3:26 not to plead further.
- Psalm 106:32-33 (allusion): The psalm recalls Israel's provocation at the waters and says this angered Moses so that it went ill with him—an interpretive retelling of the same event referenced in Deut 3:26.
Alternative generated candidates
- But the LORD was angry with me for your sake and would not listen to me; and the LORD said to me, "It is enough for you; do not speak to me of this matter any more."
- But the LORD was angry with me for your sake and did not heed me; the LORD said to me, “Enough! Do not speak to me of this matter any more.”
Deu.3.27 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- עלה: VERB,qal,perf,3,m,sg
- ראש: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- הפסגה: NOUN,f,sg,def
- ושא: CONJ+VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- עיניך: NOUN,f,pl,abs+2ms
- ימה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- וצפנה: NOUN,f,sg,abs
- ותימנה: CONJ+ADV
- ומזרחה: CONJ+ADV
- וראה: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- בעיניך: PREP+NOUN,f,pl,const,2,ms
- כי: CONJ
- לא: PART_NEG
- תעבר: VERB,qal,impf,2,ms
- את: PRT,acc
- הירדן: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
Parallels
- Deuteronomy 34:1-4 (structural): Narrative fulfillment: Moses ascends Mount Nebo and views the land 'westward, northward, southward, and eastward,' echoing the command in 3:27 and recording the sight he was permitted to see but not enter.
- Numbers 27:12-14 (verbal): Earlier divine pronouncement that Moses will not cross the Jordan into the promised land because of his disobedience; repeats the judgment that lies behind the instruction in Deut 3:27.
- Numbers 20:12 (thematic): Gives the reason for Moses' exclusion—failure to uphold God's holiness at Meribah—which underlies the prohibition in Deut 3:27 (you shall not pass over this Jordan).
- Joshua 1:2-3 (thematic): God commissions Joshua to cross the Jordan and possess the land—provides a deliberate contrast to Moses' inability to enter described in Deut 3:27 and signals the transfer of leadership.
Alternative generated candidates
- Go up to the summit of Pisgah and lift up your eyes westward, northward, southward, and eastward, and see with your eyes; for you shall not cross this Jordan.
- Go up to the summit of Pisgah and lift up your eyes westward and northward and southward and eastward; behold with your eyes, for you shall not cross this Jordan.
Deu.3.28 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- וצו: VERB,qal,imp,2,m,sg
- את: PRT,acc
- יהושע: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- וחזקהו: VERB,hif,imp,2,m,sg
- ואמצהו: VERB,hif,imp,2,m,sg
- כי: CONJ
- הוא: PRON,3,m,sg
- יעבר: VERB,qal,impf,3,m,sg
- לפני: PREP
- העם: NOUN,m,sg,def
- הזה: DEM,m,sg
- והוא: CONJ+PRON,3,m,sg
- ינחיל: VERB,hif,impf,3,m,sg
- אותם: PRON,3,m,pl,obj
- את: PRT,acc
- הארץ: NOUN,f,sg,def
- אשר: PRON,rel
- תראה: VERB,qal,impf,2,m,sg
Parallels
- Deut.31:7-8 (verbal): Moses publicly charges Joshua and exhorts him to 'be strong and courageous' and reassures him of divine presence—language and purpose closely parallel to 3:28’s command to charge and strengthen Joshua.
- Deut.31:23 (verbal): Close verbal parallel: Moses 'gave him the charge' concerning Joshua’s leadership—this verse repeats the commissioning formula found in 3:28.
- Numbers 27:18-23 (structural): Earlier narrative of God instructing Moses to appoint Joshua and Moses laying hands on him to commission him as successor—provides the institutional and ceremonial background for the charge in 3:28.
- Joshua 1:6-9 (verbal): God’s direct commission to Joshua: 'Be strong and courageous' and assurance that he will give the land—echoes the promise and exhortation of Deut 3:28 about leading the people and inheriting the land.
- 1 Chronicles 28:20 (thematic): David’s exhortation to Solomon to 'be strong and of good courage' while commissioning him as successor parallels the recurring prophetic/royal charge motif applied to a chosen leader who will carry out God’s purposes.
Alternative generated candidates
- Charge Joshua and strengthen him and encourage him, for he shall go over before this people, and he shall give them their inheritance—the land that you will see.
- Charge Joshua and strengthen him and encourage him, for he will cross before this people and will give them possession of the land that you will see.
Deu.3.29 - Details
Original Text
Morphology
- ונשב: VERB,qal,perf,1,_,pl
- בגיא: PREP+NOUN,m,sg,abs
- מול: PREP
- בית: NOUN,m,sg,abs
- פעור: NOUN,prop,m,sg,abs
Parallels
- Numbers 21:33-35 (verbal): Direct, parallel account of Israel's defeat of Og king of Bashan and the taking of his cities and territory (same campaign and places referenced).
- Deut.3:13 (structural): Immediate parallel within the same chapter: summarizes the possession of Argob in Bashan and the allotment of that land to Reuben, Gad, and half‑Manasseh (same episode/context).
- Joshua 12:4 (structural): Later summary of the conquest listing Og king of Bashan and his cities (Ashtaroth, Edrei), echoing Moses' report of taking Bashan and its valleys/territories.
- Numbers 25:1 (thematic): Places Beth‑Peor in the narrative geography of Israel's encampments; connects the location named in Deut. 3:29 with the later episode of Israel at Peor (shared geographical reference).
Alternative generated candidates
- And we remained in the valley opposite Beth-peor.
- And we remained in the valley opposite Beth Peor.
And to Joshua I commanded at that time, saying, "Your eyes have seen all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings; so the LORD will do to all the kingdoms where you cross over."
Do not fear them; for the LORD your God is the one who fights for you. And I entreated the LORD at that time, saying,
Sovereign LORD, you have begun to show your servant your greatness and your mighty hand. What god is there in heaven or on earth who can do according to your works and according to your mighty power?
Please let me cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan, this good hill and Lebanon. But the LORD was angry with me for your sake and would not listen to me; the LORD said to me, "Enough for you; do not speak to me any more about this matter."
Go up to the top of Pisgah and lift up your eyes westward and northward and southward and eastward, and see with your eyes; for you shall not cross over this Jordan.
Charge Joshua; strengthen him and encourage him, for he shall cross over before this people, and he shall give them as an inheritance the land that you will see. And we returned to the valley opposite Beth Peor.