This verse, Numbers 27:13, is spoken to Moses by God. It's a prediction of Moses' imminent death. Let's break it down:
"When you have seen it...": This refers to Moses viewing the Promised Land from Mount Nebo, as described in Deuteronomy 34:1-4. He would be allowed to see the land that the Israelites would inherit, but he would not be allowed to enter it himself.
"...you also shall be gathered to your people...": This is an idiomatic expression used in the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) to mean death and burial. It doesn't necessarily imply a literal burial alongside ancestors, but rather a joining of the deceased in the afterlife or the realm of the dead (Sheol in Hebrew thought). It's a euphemism for dying and being reunited with one's lineage in death.
"...as Aaron your brother was gathered;": This provides a precedent and parallel. Aaron, Moses' brother, had also died before entering the Promised Land (Numbers 20:22-29). God is telling Moses that his fate will be similar to his brother's.
In summary, the verse means:
After Moses has seen the Promised Land from afar, he will die, just as his brother Aaron died before entering the land. It's a prophecy of Moses' impending death, stating that he will join his ancestors in death, similar to how his brother Aaron had died.
Key Theological Points:
God's Sovereignty: The verse emphasizes God's sovereignty. God determines when and how people die, even great leaders like Moses and Aaron.
Disobedience and Consequences: Moses' death outside the Promised Land was linked to his disobedience in striking the rock instead of speaking to it to bring forth water (Numbers 20:1-13). This highlights the consequences of disobedience, even for those who have served God faithfully.
Emphasis on the Land: The verse underscores the importance of the Promised Land in God's plan. While Moses and Aaron were essential figures in leading the Israelites, they were not permitted to enter the land themselves, signifying that a new generation would inherit it under new leadership (Joshua).
In essence, this verse is a solemn reminder of mortality, God's control over life and death, and the consequences of disobedience, even for those who have achieved great things. It sets the stage for the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua and the eventual conquest and settlement of the Promised Land.
This verse, Numbers 27:13, is spoken to Moses by God. It's a prediction of Moses' imminent death. Let's break it down:
"When you have seen it...": This refers to Moses viewing the Promised Land from Mount Nebo, as described in Deuteronomy 34:1-4. He would be allowed to see the land that the Israelites would inherit, but he would not be allowed to enter it himself.
"...you also shall be gathered to your people...": This is an idiomatic expression used in the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) to mean death and burial. It doesn't necessarily imply a literal burial alongside ancestors, but rather a joining of the deceased in the afterlife or the realm of the dead (Sheol in Hebrew thought). It's a euphemism for dying and being reunited with one's lineage in death.
"...as Aaron your brother was gathered;": This provides a precedent and parallel. Aaron, Moses' brother, had also died before entering the Promised Land (Numbers 20:22-29). God is telling Moses that his fate will be similar to his brother's.
In summary, the verse means:
After Moses has seen the Promised Land from afar, he will die, just as his brother Aaron died before entering the land. It's a prophecy of Moses' impending death, stating that he will join his ancestors in death, similar to how his brother Aaron had died.
Key Theological Points:
God's Sovereignty: The verse emphasizes God's sovereignty. God determines when and how people die, even great leaders like Moses and Aaron.
Disobedience and Consequences: Moses' death outside the Promised Land was linked to his disobedience in striking the rock instead of speaking to it to bring forth water (Numbers 20:1-13). This highlights the consequences of disobedience, even for those who have served God faithfully.
Emphasis on the Land: The verse underscores the importance of the Promised Land in God's plan. While Moses and Aaron were essential figures in leading the Israelites, they were not permitted to enter the land themselves, signifying that a new generation would inherit it under new leadership (Joshua).
In essence, this verse is a solemn reminder of mortality, God's control over life and death, and the consequences of disobedience, even for those who have achieved great things. It sets the stage for the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua and the eventual conquest and settlement of the Promised Land.