Deuteronomy – Chapter 34

Old Testament • 12 Verses

Chapter Summary

"Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab upon mount Nebo, to the top of Phasga over against Jericho: and the Lord shewed him all the land…" — so begins Deuteronomy 34. The chapter centers on Moses, Manasses and Abraham. Across its 12 verses, two threads run through the text: family and covenant relationships and God's covenant promises. Taken as a whole, the chapter forms one movement in the account, preparing what follows and completing what came before.

1Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab upon mount Nebo, to the top of Phasga over against Jericho: and the Lord shewed him all the land of Galaad as far as Dan.

2And all Nephtali, and the land of Ephraim and Manasses, and all the land of Juda unto the furthermost sea,

3And the south part, and the breadth of the plain of Jericho the city of palm trees as far as Segor.

4And the Lord said to him: This is the land, for which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying: I will give it to thy seed. Thou hast seen it with thy eyes, and shalt not pass over to it.

5And Moses the servant of the Lord died there, in the land of Moab, by the commandment of the Lord:

6And he buried him in the valley of the land of Moab over against Phogor: and no man hath known of his sepulchre until this present day.

7Moses was a hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, neither were his teeth moved.

8And the children of Israel mourned for him in the plains of Moab thirty days: and the days of their mourning in which they mourned Moses were ended.

9And Josue the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands upon him. And the children of Israel obeyed him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.

10And there arose no more a prophet in Israel like unto Moses, whom the Lord knew face to face,

11In all the signs and wonders, which he sent by him, to do in the land of Egypt to Pharao, and to all his servants, and to his whole land,

12And all the mighty hand, and great miracles, which Moses did before all Israel.

Important Verses in Deuteronomy 34

“Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab upon mount Nebo, to the top of Phasga over against Jericho: and the Lord shewed him all the land of Galaad as far as Dan.”

Deuteronomy 34:1

“And the Lord said to him: This is the land, for which I swore to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, saying: I will give it to thy seed. Thou hast seen it with thy eyes, and shalt not pass over to it.”

Deuteronomy 34:4

“And Josue the son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom, because Moses had laid his hands upon him. And the children of Israel obeyed him, and did as the Lord commanded Moses.”

Deuteronomy 34:9

“And all the mighty hand, and great miracles, which Moses did before all Israel. ”

Deuteronomy 34:12

Historical Context

Deuteronomy belongs to the Old Testament and was composed for the new generation of Israel about to cross the Jordan into Canaan. Chapter 34 of 34 brings the book to its close, gathering up themes introduced earlier. It is a narrative passage recounting concrete events in salvation history with 12 verses in the Douay-Rheims translation. Moses, Manasses, Abraham and Pharaoh appear at the center of the events recorded here. The chapter begins: "Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab upon mount Nebo, to the top of Phasga over against Jericho: and the Lord…" The final verse reads: "And all the mighty hand, and great miracles, which Moses did before all Israel. " In terms of historical background, Deuteronomy means 'second law': Moses' final sermons on the plains of Moab, renewing the Sinai covenant for the generation about to enter Canaan. Scholarly and ecclesial tradition places the composition of Deuteronomy around Traditions from Moses; book discovered in the Temple during King Josiah's reform around 622 BC.

Who Wrote It

Presented as Moses' farewell discourses; compiled and edited by inspired scribes, likely in the 7th century BC

When It Was Written

Traditions from Moses; book discovered in the Temple during King Josiah's reform around 622 BC

Catholic Commentary

The literal sense of Deuteronomy 34 presents a concrete episode in the history of covenant renewal and the call to love God. A pivotal line is verse 1: "Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab upon mount Nebo, to the top of Phasga over against Jericho: and the Lord shewed him all the land of Galaad as far as…" The passage repeatedly touches on family and covenant relationships.

The Church teaches that every passage of Scripture must be read in light of Christ and the Magisterium (CIC 2578). Here, Jesus cited Deuteronomy's command to love God as the greatest commandment (CIC 2083). The spiritual sense invites believers to recognize family and covenant relationships as part of God's pedagogy of salvation.

For Christians today, the chapter's lesson is clear: The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.. The Church invites us to receive this word not as antiquarian information but as living Scripture proclaimed at Mass and prayed in lectio divina.

Main Teachings

  • ✓The family is the first school of faith, where love, obedience, and forgiveness are learned.
  • ✓God binds Himself to His people by covenant, and He never breaks His word.
  • ✓True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord and is a gift of the Holy Spirit.

People in This Chapter

Moses8 mentionsManasses1 mentionAbraham1 mentionPharaoh1 mentionIsaac1 mentionJacob1 mention

Reflection for Today

Sacred Scripture presents Deuteronomy Chapter 34 as a unique stage in salvation history, not merely as background to other books.

St. John Chrysostom and other Fathers of the Church meditated on texts like this one, seeing in them instruction for the spiritual life. Jesus cited Deuteronomy's command to love God as the greatest commandment (CIC 2083). The passage calls believers to grasp that Love the Lord your God with all your heart.

Let Deuteronomy Chapter 34 deepen your love for the Eucharist, where the Word made flesh continues to feed His people. The same Christ who speaks in Scripture offers Himself sacramentally on the altar.

💡Catholic Reflection • Church Teachings

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Deuteronomy Chapter 34 about?

Deuteronomy 34 contains 12 verses. It opens with "Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab upon mount Nebo, to the top of Phasga over against Jericho: and the Lord…" and closes with "And all the mighty hand, and great miracles, which Moses did before all Israel. ". The book as a whole is covenant discourses and law.

What is a key verse in Deuteronomy 34?

One of the most significant verses is verse 1: "Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab upon mount Nebo, to the top of Phasga over against Jericho: and the Lord shewed him all the land of Galaad as far as Dan." It is often cited in Catholic teaching and preaching.

Who appears in Deuteronomy Chapter 34?

This chapter mentions Moses, Manasses, Abraham, Pharaoh, Isaac, among others.

Who wrote Deuteronomy and when?

Presented as Moses' farewell discourses; compiled and edited by inspired scribes, likely in the 7th century BC. Traditions from Moses; book discovered in the Temple during King Josiah's reform around 622 BC.

Related Chapters

Exodus 2Shares people and themes with this chapterActs 7Shares people and themes with this chapterGenesis 50Shares people and themes with this chapter

Prayers Related to This Chapter

🙏Prayer for the Family🙏Novena to the Holy Family🙏The Magnificat🙏The Nicene Creed

📚 Continue Your Faith Journey

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