Numbers 27:12

Announcement of Moses’ death

12 The LORD said to Moses, "Go up this mountain, Abarim, and look at the land that I've given to the Israelites.

Numbers 27:12 Meaning and Commentary

Numbers 27:12

And the Lord said unto Moses
After the covenant made with Israel in the plains of Moab, and the song delivered to them, ( Deuteronomy 29:1 ) ( Deuteronomy 32:1-49 )

get thee up to this Mount Abarim;
which was a range of mountains, so called from the passages by them over Jordan into the land of Canaan; one part of which was Nebo, and the top of that Pisgah, from whence Moses had the view of the good land here directed to; see ( Numbers 33:47 ) ( Deuteronomy 32:49 ) ( 34:1 ) .

and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel;
for though he was now one hundred and twenty years old, his eyes were not dim, he could see at a great distance; and the height of this hill gave him an advantage of taking a prospect of the land, a great way into it; and very probably his sight might be greatly strengthened and increased at this time by the Lord, for the purpose; this may be an emblem of that sight by faith, which believers have at times of the heavenly Canaan, and sometimes are favoured with an enlarged one of it before their death.

Numbers 27:12 In-Context

10 If he doesn't have any brothers, you should give his inheritance to his father's brothers.

11 If his father had no brothers, you should give his inheritance to his nearest relative from his clan. He will take possession of it. This will be a regulation and a case law for the Israelites, as the LORD commanded Moses.

12 The LORD said to Moses, "Go up this mountain, Abarim, and look at the land that I've given to the Israelites.

13 You will see it and then join your ancestors just as Aaron your brother has,

14 because in the Zin desert, when the community confronted you, you rebelled against my command to show them my holiness by means of the water." (These are the waters of Meribah of Kadesh in the Zin desert.)