Matthew Henry on Deuteronomy 32:44–end
Here is, I. The solemn delivery of this song to the children of Israel, Deu 32:44, Deu 32:45. Moses spoke it to as many as could hear him, while Joshua, in another assembly, at the same time, delivered it to as many as his voice would reach. Thus coming to them from the mouth of both their governors, Moses who was laying down the government, and Joshua who was taking it up, they would see they were both in the same mind, and that, though they changed their commander, there was no change in the divine command; Joshua, as well as Moses, would be a witness against them if ever they forsook God.
II. An earnest charge to them to mind these and all the rest of the good words that Moses had said to…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 32:48
Get thee up . . . and die . . . Because ye trespassed . . . at Meribah--(See on Num 20:13).
John Gill on Deuteronomy 32:49
Get thee up into this mountain Abarim,.... Which was near in sight, and pointed at; it was a range of mountains, of which see Numbers 21:11,
unto Mount Nebo; which was one of the mountains of Abarim, and had its name either from its height, or a city of this name, to which it was near, see Numbers 32:38; Jerom says (b), in his lays it was shown six miles from Heshbon to the east; it should be read, to the west:
which is in the land of Moab; it formerly belonged to it, but was taken from he Moabites by Sihon, and now possessed by Israel:
that is over against Jericho; which lay on the other side of Jordan, in the land of Canaan:
and behold the land of Canaan, which I give unto the children…
Read the whole note in the consoleJohn Calvin on Deuteronomy 32:44–end
Deuteronomy 32:44.
And Moses came and spake. It is not without reason that Moses again records that he repeated this Song before the people; because it thence appears how far from all ambition he was, in that he did not fear, at the very close of his life, to irritate all their minds, so as to render the memory of his name hateful; and besides, his authority was sanctioned by the silence and submissiveness of the people, when they suffered themselves to be thus severely dealt with. For, such was their general refractoriness, that they never would have listened to him, had not the secret inspiration of the Spirit interposed to subdue them.
He associates with himself Joshua, whom he undoubte…