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
Deuteronomy 31:2 (KJV) reads, "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."
This verse comes from the book of Deuteronomy, which is the fifth book of the Old Testament. It is a part of the Torah, the first five books of the Bible that are considered to be the foundational texts of Judaism. Deuteronomy is a book of laws and teachings that Moses gives to the Israelites before they enter the Promised Land. The verse is part of a farewell address by Moses to the Israelites, as he prepares to pass leadership to Joshua and ends his own life.
In this verse, Moses is reflecting on his age and inability to continue leading the Israelites. He states that he is 120 years old and can no longer "go out and come in," which is a euphemism for leading and shepherding the people. He also mentions that the Lord has told him that he will not be able to cross the Jordan River into the Promised Land.
One of the key themes of this verse is the passing of leadership from one generation to the next. Moses, who has been the leader of the Israelites for over 40 years, is acknowledging his age and physical limitations. He is preparing to hand over the reins to the younger Joshua, who will lead the Israelites into the Promised Land. This theme of succession and transition of leadership is significant in the broader context of the Israelites' journey and their establishment as a nation.
Another important theme in this verse is the concept of divine decree and submission to the will of God. Moses recognizes that it is the Lord who has determined that he will not cross the Jordan River. Despite his desire to lead the Israelites into the Promised Land, he accepts God's decision and remains obedient to His commands. This theme of submission to God's will is central to the book of Deuteronomy and the entire biblical narrative, emphasizing the importance of trust and obedience to God.
The context of this verse is also significant. Throughout the book of Deuteronomy, Moses repeatedly reminds the Israelites of their history, God's faithfulness, and the importance of following His laws. As the Israelites are about to enter the Promised Land, Moses wants to ensure that they remain faithful to God and His covenant, and he uses this moment to reinforce those teachings.
In terms of symbolism, the Jordan River holds great significance in the biblical narrative. It represents a boundary between the wilderness and the Promised Land. Crossing the Jordan River symbolizes a new beginning, a passage from one phase of life to another. In this verse, the fact that Moses is unable to cross the Jordan River can be seen as a symbolic representation of the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter for the Israelites under Joshua's leadership.
Overall, Deuteronomy 31:2 is a poignant and significant verse that encapsulates themes of transition, submission to God's will, and the passing of leadership. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of trusting in God's plans and remaining faithful in times of change and uncertainty. The verse continues to resonate with readers today as a reminder of the eternal principles of faith and obedience found within the biblical narrative.
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Deuteronomy 31:2 - "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."
"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
deuteronomy 31 8
Deuteronomy 31:8
Deuteronomy 2:31 - "And the LORD said unto me, Behold, I have begun to give Sihon and his land before thee: begin to possess, that thou mayest inherit his land."
Deuteronomy 31:1 - "And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel."
Deuteronomy 32:31 - "For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges."
Deuteronomy 31:22 - "¶ Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel."
Deuteronomy 31:25 - "That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying,"
Deuteronomy 31:15 - "And the LORD appeared in the tabernacle in a pillar of a cloud: and the pillar of the cloud stood over the door of the tabernacle."
Deuteronomy 31:30 - "And Moses spake in the ears of all the congregation of Israel the words of this song, until they were ended."
Deuteronomy 31:10 - "And Moses commanded them, saying, At the end of every seven years, in the solemnity of the year of release, in the feast of tabernacles,"
Deuteronomy 31:26 - "Take this book of the law, and put it in the side of the ark of the covenant of the LORD your God, that it may be there for a witness against thee."
Deuteronomy 31:24 - "¶ And it came to pass, when Moses had made an end of writing the words of this law in a book, until they were finished,"
"And Moses went and spake these words unto all Israel." - Deuteronomy 31:1
Deuteronomy 31:18 - "And I will surely hide my face in that day for all the evils which they shall have wrought, in that they are turned unto other gods."
Deuteronomy 31:4 - "And the LORD shall do unto them as he did to Sihon and to Og, kings of the Amorites, and unto the land of them, whom he destroyed."
Deuteronomy 31:9 - "¶ And Moses wrote this law, and delivered it unto the priests the sons of Levi, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and unto all the elders of Israel."
Deuteronomy 31:8 - "And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed."
Deuteronomy 31:19 - "Now therefore write ye this song for you, and teach it the children of Israel: put it in their mouths, that this song may be a witness for me against the children of Israel."
Deuteronomy 11:31 - "For ye shall pass over Jordan to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God giveth you, and ye shall possess it, and dwell therein."
Deuteronomy 31:28 - "¶ Gather unto me all the elders of your tribes, and your officers, that I may speak these words in their ears, and call heaven and earth to record against them."
"And the LORD, he it is that doth go before thee; he will be with thee, he will not fail thee, neither forsake thee: fear not, neither be dismayed." - Deuteronomy 31:8
Deuteronomy 31:6 - "Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee."
"For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies themselves being judges." - Deuteronomy 32:31
Deuteronomy 4:31 - "(For the LORD thy God is a merciful God;) he will not forsake thee, neither destroy thee, nor forget the covenant of thy fathers which he sware unto them."
"¶ Moses therefore wrote this song the same day, and taught it the children of Israel." - Deuteronomy 31:22
"That Moses commanded the Levites, which bare the ark of the covenant of the LORD, saying," - Deuteronomy 31:25
Deuteronomy 31:5 - "And the LORD shall give them up before your face, that ye may do unto them according unto all the commandments which I have commanded you."
Deuteronomy 31:11 - "When all Israel is come to appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose, thou shalt read this law before all Israel in their hearing."