Deuteronomy 3:16-26

16 and to the Reubenites 1and the Gadites I gave the territory from Gilead as far as the Valley of the Arnon, with the middle of the valley as a border, as far over as the river Jabbok, 2the border of the Ammonites;
17 the Arabah also, with the Jordan as the border, from 3Chinnereth as far as 4the Sea of the Arabah, 5the Salt Sea, under 6the slopes of Pisgah on the east.
18 "And I commanded you at that time, saying, 'The LORD your God has given you this land to possess. 7All your men of valor shall cross over armed before your brothers, the people of Israel.
19 Only your wives, your little ones, and your livestock 8(I know that you have much livestock) shall remain in the cities that I have given you,
20 9until the LORD gives rest to your brothers, as to you, and they also occupy the land that the LORD your God gives them beyond the Jordan. Then each of you may return to his possession which I have given you.'
21 And I commanded 10Joshua at that time, 'Your eyes have seen all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings. So will the LORD do to all the kingdoms into which you are crossing.
22 You shall not fear them, for it is 11the LORD your God who fights for you.'

Moses Forbidden to Enter the Land

23 "And I pleaded with the LORD at that time, saying,
24 'O Lord GOD, you have only begun to show your servant 12your greatness and your mighty hand. For 13what god is there in heaven or on earth who can do such works and mighty acts as yours?
25 Please let me go over and see 14the good land beyond the Jordan, that good hill country and 15Lebanon.'
26 But 16the LORD was angry with me because of you and would not listen to me. And the LORD said to me, 17'Enough from you; do not speak to me of this matter again.

Deuteronomy 3:16-26 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 3

In this chapter the account is carried on of the conquest of the Amorites by Israel, of Og king of Bashan, and his kingdom, De 3:1-11, and of the distribution of their country to the tribes of Reuben and Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh, De 1:12-17 and then the command to the said tribes is observed, to go out armed before their brethren, and assist them in the conquest of the land of Canaan, and then return to their possessions, De 3:18-20 and also that to Joshua not to fear, but to do to the Canaanitish kings and kingdoms what he had seen done to the two kings of the Amorites, De 3:21,22. After which Moses relates the request he made, to go over Jordan and see the good land, which was denied him, only he is bidden to look from the top of an hill to see it, De 3:23-27. And the chapter is closed with the charge he was to give Joshua, De 3:28 which was received in the valley where they abode, De 3:29.

Cross References 17

  • 1. [2 Samuel 24:5]
  • 2. Numbers 21:24; Joshua 12:2
  • 3. See Numbers 34:11
  • 4. Deuteronomy 4:49; Joshua 3:16; Joshua 12:3; 2 Kings 14:25
  • 5. See Genesis 14:3
  • 6. [Numbers 21:15]
  • 7. Numbers 32:20, 21; Joshua 1:14; Joshua 4:12
  • 8. Numbers 32:1, 4
  • 9. Joshua 22:4
  • 10. [Numbers 27:18]
  • 11. See Exodus 14:14
  • 12. Deuteronomy 5:24; Deuteronomy 11:2; Deuteronomy 32:3; 1 Chronicles 29:11
  • 13. See Exodus 15:11
  • 14. Deuteronomy 4:22; Exodus 3:8
  • 15. [Joshua 1:4]
  • 16. See Deuteronomy 1:37
  • 17. [2 Corinthians 12:9]
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.