The LORD said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This command, given right after the daughters of Zelophehad are granted their inheritance, highlights a profound contrast: while they and their descendants enter the promised land, Moses, the lawgiver, is permitted only to see it from afar. It’s a bittersweet moment where God grants a glimpse of the promised future, even to those who won't physically partake.
The LORD said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Right after settling the inheritance rights for women, God commands Moses to ascend Mount Abarim to see the Promised Land. This command comes with the solemn reminder that Moses himself will not enter the land because he previously rebelled against God's word at the waters of Meribah. It's a poignant moment where the lawgiver is granted a view of the destination he led Israel towards, yet is personally excluded from.
Moses, the faithful lawgiver, is about to face his end. But before he goes, God offers him a breathtaking, final view. What does this moment reveal about God's grace?
Even though Moses wouldn't enter the Promised Land due to his past disobedience (Numbers 20:12), God granted him a special privilege. He was to ascend Mount Abarim and see the land He had promised to Israel.
A Glimpse, Not a Gateway
This wasn't a chance to change God's decree, but an act of divine mercy. God allowed Moses to witness the fulfillment of His covenant, offering a powerful visual representation of the promises He faithfully keeps. It's like seeing a treasure you've worked for but can't quite hold.
Faith's Vision
This view also served as a powerful symbol for faith. Just as Moses saw the physical land, believers today can have a spiritual glimpse of God's eternal kingdom, even before fully entering it. It’s a reminder that God’s promises are real and worth enduring for.
Moses, the great lawgiver, is excluded from the land he helped lead Israel toward. What does this profound moment teach us about God's justice and mercy?
The placement of this command is significant. It comes right after the instructions regarding inheritance for the daughters of Zelophehad, highlighting a contrast. The law provided a way for inheritance and order, yet it also carried consequences for disobedience.
Justice Delivered
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Moses' transgression at the Waters of Meribah, where he struck the rock instead of speaking to it, was a clear act of rebellion against God's direct command (Numbers 20:12). God’s justice demanded accountability, even from His most trusted servant.
Grace Extended
However, God’s response isn't purely punitive. He allows Moses the profound comfort of seeing the land. This shows that even when justice has its due, God’s mercy can still offer solace and a foretaste of the ultimate promise. Moses’ role was to lead them to the border, a task he completed faithfully, and God honored that.
This divine command to Moses occurs at the very end of Israel's desert journey, directly following the establishment of new inheritance laws and preceding Moses' own death. It highlights a poignant moment where the great lawgiver, who led the people so far, is granted a final glimpse of the land he prepared them for but would not enter himself due to past disobedience.
c. 1406 BC
Israel Arrives at Moab
After wandering for 40 years, the Israelites arrive in the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan River. They are poised to enter the Promised Land but must first deal with the Moabites.
c. 1406 BC
Moses Struck the Rock
At Meribah in the wilderness of Zin, Moses, in anger and disobedience, strikes the rock twice instead of speaking to it as commanded. This act leads to God's decree that he will not enter the Promised Land.
c. 1406 BC
Zelophehad's Daughters' Request
Zelophehad's daughters approach Moses with a request regarding their inheritance. This prompts God to establish a new law ensuring daughters can inherit property if there are no sons.
c. 1406 BC— this verse
Moses Ascends Mount Abarim
The LORD instructs Moses to ascend Mount Abarim, specifically to Mount Nebo (or Pisgah), to see the Promised Land he will not enter. This is a final, bittersweet view before his death.
c. 1406 BC
Moses Dies
Moses ascends Mount Nebo, sees the land of Canaan, and dies there at the age of 120. God himself buries him in a hidden valley, and his eyes are not dimmed, nor his strength abated.
c. 1406 BC
Joshua Appointed Successor
Following Moses' death, Joshua, a trusted leader and warrior, is officially appointed and commissioned by God and the people to lead Israel into the Promised Land.
This passage directly recounts God's command to Moses to ascend Mount Nebo (part of the Abarim range) to see the land, echoing the verse in Numbers.
Deuteronomy 34:1This chapter describes the fulfillment of the command, where Moses ascends Mount Nebo and sees the Promised Land just before his death.
Hebrews 11:13This New Testament passage speaks of the patriarchs seeing the promises (including the land of Canaan) from a distance by faith, drawing a parallel to Moses' final view.
Numbers 20:12This earlier verse records the sin that led to Moses being forbidden to enter the Promised Land, making his command to see it in Numbers 27:12 a poignant moment of grace and partial fulfillment.
bensonNumbers 27:12: "And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel."
Numbers 27:12 . Abarim — The whole tract of mountains was called Abarim, whereof one of the highest was called Nebo, and the top of that Pisgah.
calvinNumbers 27:12-14: "And the LORD said unto Moses, Get thee up into this mount Abarim, and see the land which I have given unto the children of Israel."
For ye rebelled against my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh, in the wilderness of Zin.
Quandoquidem rebelles fuistis ori meo in deserto Sin, in jurgio congregationls, ut sanctificaretis me in aquis coram oculis eorum.…
This command, given right after the daughters of Zelophehad are granted their inheritance, highlights a profound contrast: while they and their descendants enter the promised land, Moses, the lawgiver, is permitted only to see it from afar. It’s a bittersweet moment where God grants a glimpse of the promised future, even to those who won't physically partake.
Right after settling the inheritance rights for women, God commands Moses to ascend Mount Abarim to see the Promised Land. This command comes with the solemn reminder that Moses himself will not enter the land because he previously rebelled against God's word at the waters of Meribah. It's a poignant moment where the lawgiver is granted a view of the destination he led Israel towards, yet is personally excluded from.
Right after settling the inheritance rights for women, God commands Moses to ascend Mount Abarim to see the Promised Land. This command comes with the solemn reminder that Moses himself will not enter the land because he previously rebelled against God's word at the waters of Meribah. It's a poignant moment where the lawgiver is granted a view of the destination he led Israel towards, yet is personally excluded from.
"The LORD said to Moses, “Go up into this mountain of Abarim and see the land that I have given to the people of Israel." — This command, given right after the daughters of Zelophehad are granted their inheritance, highlights a profound contrast: while they and their descendants enter the promised land, Moses, the lawgi…
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Last reviewed October 2026