Moses Is Told to Go Up Mount Nebo

Deuteronomy 32:48 Then the Lord said to Moses that same day, 32:49 “Go up to this Abarim hill country, to Mount Nebo (which is in the land of Moab opposite Jericho) and look at the land of Canaan that I am giving to the Israelites as a possession. 32:50 You will die on the mountain that you ascend and join your deceased ancestors, just as Aaron your brother died on Mount Hor and joined his deceased ancestors, 32:51 for both of you rebelled against me among the Israelites at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the desert of Zin when you did not show me proper respect among the Israelites. 32:52 You will see the land before you, but you will not enter the land that I am giving to the Israelites.”

Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NET) are from the NET Bible®, copyright ©1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. All rights reserved.

The Lord tells Moses to go up Mount Nebo, look at Canaan, and die there. Moses will see the land, but he will not enter it, because he and Aaron rebelled against the Lord at Meribah Kadesh and did not treat him as holy.

The Lord speaks to Moses on the same day and gives him a final command. Moses must go up into the Abarim range, to Mount Nebo in Moab opposite Jericho. From there he will see the land of Canaan, which the Lord is giving to Israel as a possession.

But Moses will also die on that mountain and be gathered to his people, just as Aaron died on Mount Hor and joined his ancestors. The reason is given plainly: both brothers rebelled against the Lord at the waters of Meribah Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin. In that public failure, they did not treat the Lord as holy before the people.

So Moses will see the land, but he will not enter it. The promise to Israel still stands. Yet the Lord shows that even his greatest servant is not above covenant judgment.

• The Lord is the one who speaks and decides Moses’ fate.
• Moses is told to climb Mount Nebo and look at Canaan.
• The land is still being given to Israel as a possession.
• Moses will die on the mountain and be gathered to his people.
• Aaron’s death on Mount Hor is used as a parallel.
• The reason for the judgment is the rebellion at Meribah Kadesh.
• Moses and Aaron did not sanctify the Lord before Israel.
• Moses may see the land, but he will not enter it.

• Command: Moses must go up to Mount Nebo and look at the land.
• Promise: The Lord is giving Canaan to Israel as a possession.
• Warning: Moses will die on the mountain and not enter the land.
• Warning: Moses and Aaron rebelled against the Lord at Meribah Kadesh.
• Warning: Public failure to honor the Lord brings real covenant judgment.

This passage closes Moses’ ministry and the wilderness period. It shows both the Lord’s faithfulness to give the land and his holiness in judging disobedient leadership. It prepares the way for Israel’s entry into Canaan under Joshua.

God keeps his promises, but he also judges sin. Leaders must honor the Lord before others. This passage warns us to take God’s holiness seriously and to obey him with reverence.

• Lite Commentary
• In-depth Commentary