Deuteronomy 31:1

Moses announces his death

1 Then Moses said these words to all Israel,

Deuteronomy 31:1 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 31:1

And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel.
] The following words, even to the whole body of the people summoned together on this occasion. It seems that after Moses had made the covenant with them he was directed to, he dismissed the people to their tents, and went to his own, and now returned, having ordered them to meet him again, very probably at the tabernacle; with which agrees the Targum of Jonathan, he

``went to the tabernacle of the house of doctrine;''

though, according to Aben Ezra, he went to the each tribes separately, as they lay encamped; his words are these,

``he went to every tribe and tribe, to acquaint them that he was about to die, and that they might not be afraid, and to strengthen their hearts;''

he adds,

``in my opinion he then blessed them, though their blessings are afterwards written;''

which is not improbable.

Deuteronomy 31:1 In-Context

1 Then Moses said these words to all Israel,

2 telling them: I'm 120 years old today. I can't move around well anymore. Plus, the LORD told me "You won't cross the Jordan River."

3 But the LORD your God, he's the one who will cross over before you! He's the one who will destroy these nations before you so you can displace them. Joshua too will cross over before you just like the LORD indicated.

4 The LORD will do to these enemies the same thing he did to the Amorite kings Sihon and Og, and to their land, when he destroyed them.

5 The LORD will lay them out before you, and you will do to them exactly what the command I've given you dictates.

Footnotes

• [a]. LXX, DSS (1QDeutb) When Moses had finished speaking