What does Deuteronomy 31:2 mean?

And he said unto them, I am an hundred and twenty years old this day; I can no more go out and come in: also the LORD hath said unto me, Thou shalt not go over this Jordan. Deuteronomy 31:2

Explanation

Deuteronomy 31:2 features Moses addressing the Israelites, informing them that he is 120 years old and unable to lead them as he once did. The phrase “go out and come in” symbolizes the daily activities of leadership, such as leading troops into battle, administering justice, and guiding the people. Moses is not only referring to the physical limitations of age but also obeying God’s command. He explicitly mentions that the Lord has told him he will not cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land, indicating a transition in leadership and the end of an era for the Israelites as they are about to enter Canaan under Joshua’s leadership.

Historical Context

This verse occurs as the Israelites are encamped on the plains of Moab, ready to enter the Promissed Land. Moses, who has led them out of Egypt and through the wilderness for 40 years, addresses the nation. Historically, Moses is seen as the lawgiver and one of the most critical figures in Jewish history. The time references both the age of Moses and the end of his leadership, highlighting the divine decree that Joshua would succeed him.

Theological Insights

From a theological standpoint, the mention of God’s command reflects the theme of divine sovereignty in the biblical narrative. It shows that ultimately, it is God who appoints and removes leaders according to His will. Additionally, the passage reaffirms the concept of obedience to God, as even Moses, a revered prophet, is not exempt from adhering to God’s decisions.

Practical Applications

In contemporary life, this verse can be understood as a reminder of the inevitability of transitions in leadership whether in religious communities, businesses, or political entities. It speaks to the importance of preparing successors and the virtue of humility and obedience. For individuals, it may also underscore the idea that certain roles or seasons in life come to an end, and one should be ready to accept new chapters with grace.

Cross-References

• Joshua 1:2: “Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.”
• Numbers 27:17: “Which may go out before them, and which may go in before them, and which may lead them out, and which may bring them in; that the congregation of the Lord be not as sheep which have no shepherd.”
• Deuteronomy 3:27: “Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan.”
• Deuteronomy 34:7: “And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.”
• Acts 7:23: “And when he was full forty years old, it came into his heart to visit his brethren the children of Israel.”

Language Study

• “Go out and come in” (Hebrew: יֵצֵא וָיָבֹא, yēṣēʼ wāyāḇōʼ): This was a common Hebrew idiom for the activities of daily life, particularly related to leadership responsibilities.
• “Hundred and twenty years old” (Hebrew: מֵאָה וְעֶשְׂרִים שָׁנָה, mēʼāh wəʻeśrîm šānāh): Indicates not just age but fulfillment of time, the completion of Moses’s mission.
• “Thou shalt not go over this Jordan” (Hebrew: לֹא תַעֲבֹר אֶת-הַיַּרְדֵּן הַזֶּה, lōʼ ṯaʻăḇōr ʾet-hayyardēn hazze): This statement is definitive, indicating a non-negotiable boundary set by God.

Cultural and Religious Comparisons

In ancient Near Eastern cultures, leaders were often considered semi-divine or chosen by the gods. Moses’ acknowledgment of God’s command not to enter the Promised Land contrasts with cultural norms where kings might assert their divine right to rule indefinitely. This passage highlights a monotheistic view where God is the ultimate authority, not the leader himself.

Scientific Perspectives

This verse touches little on scientific concerns but does reference Moses’s age of 120 years. While exceptionally long lifespans are reported in the Bible, particularly in the earlier narratives like the Genesis accounts, modern gerontology recognizes that such ages are remarkably rare and often involve genetic factors, lifestyle, and environmental conditions.

commentaries

• Matthew Henry’s Commentary suggests that this verse demonstrates humility in Moses as he submits to the will of God despite his desire to enter the Promised Land.
• The New Bible Commentary notes that Moses, despite his age and the restriction placed upon him, did not weaken in his zeal to serve God and the nation of Israel.
• The Moody Bible Commentary adds to the discussion by pointing out the care Moses takes in ensuring a smooth transition of leadership to Joshua, focusing on the wellbeing of the community after his passing.