Deuteronomy 32:48

And the LORD spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying,

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(48) And the Lord spake unto Moses that selfsame day.—The day in which he spake the song in the ears of all Israel.

Benson Commentary

Deuteronomy 32:48-49. That self-same day — Now he had finished his work, why should he desire to live a day longer? He had indeed formerly desired and prayed that he might go over Jordan: but now he is entirely satisfied, and saith no more of that matter. Nebo — A ridge or top of the mountains of Abarim.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

32:48-52 Now Moses had done his work, why should he desire to live a day longer? God reminds him of the sin of which he had been guilty, for which he was kept from entering Canaan. It is good for the best of men to die repenting the infirmities of which they are conscious. But those may die with comfort and ease, whenever God calls for them, notwithstanding the sins they remember against themselves, who have a believing prospect, and a well-grounded hope of eternal life beyond death.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

These verses were, no doubt, added by the author of the supplement to Deuteronomy. For the statements contained in them, consult the marginal references.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

48-51. Get thee up … and die … Because ye trespassed … at Meribah—(See on [169]Nu 20:13).

Matthew Poole's Commentary

No text from Poole on this verse.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And the Lord spake unto Moses the selfsame day,.... On which he finished the reading of the law, and the above song, which was the seventh of Adar or February; according to the Targum of Jonathan, the day he died on; according to the Egyptian Calendar (a), it was the sixteenth of that month, see Deuteronomy 34:5,

saying; as follows.

(a) Apud Ludolf. Lex. Ethiop. p. 537.

Geneva Study Bible

And the LORD spake unto Moses that selfsame day, saying,

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

48. that selfsame day] A standing phrase of P, e.g. Genesis 7:13; Genesis 17:23; Genesis 17:26, Exodus 12:17. Contr. the deuter. this day and the like. The day is that stated in Deuteronomy 1:3, also from P; q.v.

48–52. Moses’ Call to Death

He is bidden climb Mt Nebo and view Canaan, and die there like Aaron on Mt Hor, because of his trespass against Jehovah at Ḳadesh. He shall see but not enter the Land.—The language (including the place-names) and the reason given for Moses’ failure to enter the Land, are those of P (see notes below). There is a doublet in Numbers 27:12-14. Which of the two passages is original and which editorial is doubtful. The additions to this one point to its being the later.

Pulpit Commentary

Verses 48-52. - On the day on which Moses rehearsed this song in the hearing of the people, his death was announced to him by God, and the command was again given to him to ascend Mount Nebo, thence to survey the Promised Land, and there to be gathered to his people. The same in substance, the command as given here differs slightly in form and in some minor particulars from that as recorded by Moses himself (Numbers 27:12-14). Deuteronomy 32:48

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

"That self-same day," viz., the day upon which Moses had rehearsed the song to the children of Israel, the Lord renewed the announcement of his death, by repeating the command already given to him (Numbers 27:12-14) to ascend Mount Nebo, there to survey the land of Canaan, and then to be gathered unto his people. In form, this repetition differs from the previous announcement, partly in the fact that the situation of Mount Nebo is more fully described (in the land of Moab, etc., as in Deuteronomy 1:5; Deuteronomy 29:1), and partly in the continual use of the imperative, and a few other trifling points. These differences may all be explained from the fact that the account here was not written by Moses himself.