Matthew Poole and continuators on Deuteronomy 34

1 AND Moses went up from the plains of Moab, unto the mountain of Nebo to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho: and the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead unto Dan .

In compliance with Gods will that he should then and there resign up his soul to God.

Of which see Num. 27. 12. and 32. 38. & Deut. 32. 49.

Whereof Moses had as yet seen and enjoyed but a small part. Of this Land see Gen. 31. 21. Numb. 32. 1, 19, &c.

To that City which after Moses his death was called Dan, Ios. 19. 47. Iudg. 18. 29▪ So that here is an anticipation. But it seems most probable and is commonly believed that this chapter was not written by Moses but by Eleazar or Ioshua or Ezra or some other man of God directed herein by the Holy Ghost; this being no more impeachment to the divine authority of this chapter, that the penman is unknown, which also is the lot of some other Books of Scripture, than it is to the authority of the Acts of the King or Parliament, that they are Written or Printed by some unknown person.

Marginal references: Or, the hill.; chap. 3. 27.

2 And all Naphtali , and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the utmost sea .

(i. e.) The land of Naphtali, which together with Dan, was in the North of Canaan, as Ephraim and Manasseh were in the midland parts, and Iudah on the South, and the Sea on the west. So these parts lying in the several quarters are put for all the rest He stood in the East and saw also Gilead, which was in the Eastern part of the land, and thence he saw the North and South and west.

(i. e.) The midland Sea which was the utmost bound of the land of promise on the west.

3 And the south , and the plain of the valley of Jericho , the city of palm-trees , unto Zoar.

(i. e.) The south quarter of the land of Iudah, which is towards the salt sea, which is described Num. 34. 3, 4, 5. Ios. 15. 1, 2, 3, 4. as the western quarter of Iudah was described in the words next foregoing.

Or, in which lies Iericho: which was in the Tribe of Benjamin.

(i. e.) Iericho, so called both here and Iudg. 1. 16. and 3. 13. 2 Chron. 28. 15. from the multitude of Palm-trees which were in those parts, as Iosephus and Stra[illegible: 1+ letters] write. From whence and the balm there growing it was called Iericho, which signifies, odoriserous or sweet smelling.

4 And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes , but thou shalt not go over thither.

To wit, by a miraculous power strengthning thy sight or making a clear representation of all these parts to thy view.

Marginal references: Gen. [illegible: 1 word]. [illegible: 1 word] and 13. 1[illegible: 1+ letters] ▪

5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab , according to the word of the LORD.

(i. e.) In the land which Israel took from the Amorites, which antiently was the land of Moab.

6 And he buryed him in a valley in the land of Moab, over-against Beth-Peor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.

(i. e.) The Lord, last mentioned, buried him either immediately or by the ministery of Angels, whereof Michael was the Chief or Prince, Iude ver. 9.

i. e, Of the particular place of the Valley where he was buried: which God hid from the Israelites, to prevent their Superstition and Idolatry, to which he knew their great proneness. And for this very reason the Devil endeavoured to have it known and contended with Michael about it, Iude ver. 9. And seeing God would not endure the worship of the Relicks or Tomb of so eminent a person as Moses was, it is ridiculous to think God would permit this honour to be given to any of the succeeding Saints who were so far inferiour to him.

7 And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not di[illegible: 1+ letters] nor his natural force abated .

By a miraculous work of God in mercy to his Church and people.

Marginal references: Heb. [illegible: 1 word]; Heb. [illegible: 1 word]

8 And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty dayes : so the dayes of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.

Which was the usual time of mourning for persons of high place and eminency. See Gen. 50. 3, 10. Num. 20. 29. For others seven days sufficed.

9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom : for Moses had laid his hands upon him , and the children of Israel hearkned unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.

And other gifts and graces too, as appears from the History, but Wisdom is mentioned as being most necessary for the Government to which he was now called.

Which God had appointed as a sign to Moses and Ioshua and the Israelites that this was the person whom he had appointed and qualified for his great work. See Numb. 27. 18, &c. compare Gen. 48. 10. Numb. 8. 10.

10 And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses , whom the LORD knew face to face :

In the priviledges here following.

(i. e.) Whom God did so freely and familiarly and frequently converse with. See on Exod. 33. 11. Numb. 12. 8. Deut. 5. 4.

11 In all the signs , and the wonders which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land.

This is to be joyned either 1. with the words immediately foregoing, as an eminent instance wherein God did know or acknowledge and own or converse so familiarly with Moses, namely in the working of all his signs and wonders in Egypt, where God spake to him so oft, and sometimes even in Pharaohs presence, and answered his requests, so particularly and punctually whether he called for vengeance or for deliverance. Or 2. With the more remote words, there was none like unto Moses in regard of all the signs, &c. the words, whom the Lord knew face to face, coming in by way of parenthesis.