Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, the peak of Pisgah which faces Jericho, and the Lord showed him all the land—Gilead, and as far as Dan, 2 all Naphtali, the land of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Western Sea, 3 the Negeb, the plain (the valley of Jericho, the City of Palms), and as far as Zoar. 4 The Lord then said to him, This is the land about which I promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, “I will give it to your descendants.” I have let you see it with your own eyes, but you shall not cross over. 5 So there, in the land of Moab, Moses, the servant of the Lord, died as the Lord had said; 6 and he was buried in a valley in the land of Moab, opposite Beth-peor; to this day no one knows the place of his burial. 7 Moses was one hundred and twenty years old when he died, yet his eyes were undimmed and his vigor unabated. 8 The Israelites wept for Moses in the plains of Moab for thirty days, till they had completed the period of grief and mourning for Moses. 9 Now Joshua, son of Nun, was filled with the spirit of wisdom, since Moses had laid his hands upon him; and so the Israelites gave him their obedience, just as the Lord had commanded Moses. 10 Since then no prophet has arisen in Israel like Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face, 11 in all the signs and wonders the Lord sent him to perform in the land of Egypt against Pharaoh and all his servants and against all his land, 12 and all the great might and the awesome power that Moses displayed in the sight of all Israel.
Deuteronomy 34:1-12 recounts the death of Moses on Mount Nebo, where God allows him to see the Promised Land but not enter it. This moment marks the transition of leadership to Joshua and the fulfillment of God’s promises to the patriarchs (Gen. 12:7; 26:3; 28:13). The text highlights Moses’ unique role as the prophet through whom God spoke “face to face” (Deut. 34:10; cf. Exod. 33:11), emphasizing his unparalleled leadership. However, despite his faithfulness, Moses is denied entry into Canaan due to his disobedience at Meribah (Num. 20:12; Deut. 32:51).
Deuteronomy 34 also speaks to God’s sovereign plan of salvation. Moses, who represents the Law, can see the Promised Land but not bring the people into it, symbolizing how the Law prepares for but does not accomplish salvation (Gal. 3:19-24; Rom. 3:20). Only Christ, the true Joshua, leads God’s people to their ultimate inheritance (John 14:6; Eph. 1:11-14).
This passage prefigures Christ, the true mediator of the New Covenant, who leads God’s people into the eternal Promised Land (Heb. 3:5-6; 9:15). Joshua, the one who ultimately brings Israel into Canaan, foreshadows Christ’s fulfillment of the Law (Matt. 5:17) and His role in leading believers to their final inheritance in God’s kingdom. Hebrews 4:8-11 underscores that while Joshua provided Israel with a temporary rest in the land of Canaan, true and eternal rest is found only in Christ. Similarly, Matt. 17:1-3 presents Moses alongside Elijah at the Transfiguration, where Jesus is revealed as the fulfillment of both the Law and the Prophets.
The transition from Moses to Joshua symbolizes the movement from the Old Covenant to the New. While the Law prepares the way for salvation (Gal 3:19-24; Rom 3:20), it is ultimately Christ, prefigured by Joshua, who brings God’s people into their true inheritance (John 14:6; Eph. 1:11-14). This fulfillment is echoed in Acts 7:37, where Moses prophesies that God will raise up a prophet like himself, a prophecy realized in Christ.
The divine authority given to Joshua in Deuteronomy 34:9, through the laying on of hands by Moses, mirrors Christ’s commissioning of the Apostles. Joshua, filled with the spirit of wisdom, assumes leadership over Israel, just as Christ, possessing all authority, entrusts His disciples with continuing His mission (Matt. 28:18-20). This transfer of authority ensures that God’s guidance remains with His people.
Moses’ burial by God in Deuteronomy 34:6 is unique in Scripture, emphasizing divine sovereignty over his body. His resting place remains unknown, underscoring that his mission was entirely under God’s direction. Jude 9 references a dispute between the Archangel Michael and the devil over Moses’ body, affirming God’s authority over life and death. This mysterious event foreshadows Christ’s own bodily victory over death, as His resurrection inaugurates the final fulfillment of God’s plan of salvation.
Almighty God, You have guided your people through every generation fulfilling your promises. As You entrusted Joshua to bring Israel into the promised Land, so too have You given us Christ, the true Joshua, to lead us into the eternal rest You have prepared. Strengthen our faith to follow Him faithfully, that we may enter into the inheritance of Your kingdom. This we pray through Christ our Lord. Amen!
Sources
- McSorley, Joseph. An Outline History of the Church by Centuries (From St. Peter to Pius XII). 2nd ed., B. Herder Book Co., 1944.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: The Pentateuch. Four Courts Press, 2017
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Charpentier, Etienne. How to Read the Old Testament. Translated by John Bowden, 1981.
- Komonchak, Joseph, et al., editors. The New Dictionary of Theology.
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