Deuteronomy 34:5-12
34:6 a Beth-peor was where Israel engaged in pagan ritual (see 3:29 b; 4:3 c; Num 25 d) and where Moses presented his farewell address (see Deut 4:44-46 e).• The phrase to this day refers to the time of Deuteronomy’s final composition (see Genesis Book Introduction, “Authorship”).
34:7 f At age 120, Moses was as strong as ever and in full possession of his faculties. He did not fail to enter Canaan because he died; he died because he failed to enter Canaan.
34:9 g full of the spirit of wisdom: When Joshua was selected as Moses’ successor, he had to be invested with the Spirit of God to fill the office (Num 27:15-23 h; cp. Num 11:16-30 i). Now that Moses had died, God showed that Joshua was Moses’ divinely appointed successor by giving continuing evidence of the Spirit’s power and blessing.
34:10 j face to face: Moses and the Lord had an intimate relationship, and there was no need for an intercessor between them. Aaron and Miriam once challenged Moses’ leadership and were severely rebuked by the Lord (Num 12:8 k), who reminded them that they were ordinary prophets that received revelation by dreams and visions. Moses was not such a prophet. God said, “I speak to him face to face, clearly, and not in riddles” (Num 12:8 l). No other prophet in Old Testament times could rival Moses in his relationship with God (see study note on Deut 18:15).
34:12 m terrifying acts in the sight of all Israel: The people of Israel as well as the Egyptians were impressed by the power of God. They needed a constant reminder to submit to him in reverential fear (see 4:10 n; 5:29 o; 6:2 p; Prov 1:7 q).
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