Deuteronomy

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Deuteronomy 34 – Skeptic's Annotated Bible answered

A response and reply to the notes on Deuteronomy 34 in the Skeptic's Annotated Bible (SAB).

King James Version

SAB comment

My comment

1 And Moses went up from the plains of Moab unto the mountain of Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, that is over against Jericho. And the LORD shewed him all the land of Gilead, unto Dan,

2 And all Naphtali, and the land of Ephraim, and Manasseh, and all the land of Judah, unto the utmost sea,

3 And the south, and the plain of the valley of Jericho, the city of palm trees, unto Zoar.

4 And the LORD said unto him, This is the land which I sware unto Abraham, unto Isaac, and unto Jacob, saying, I will give it unto thy seed: I have caused thee to see it with thine eyes, but thou shalt not go over thither.

5 So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab, according to the word of the LORD.

(34:5) "So Moses the servant of the LORD died there in the land of Moab."
Moses, the alleged author of the Pentateuch, describes his own death and burial.
Who wrote the Pentateuch?

Hmmm, maybe the author of the SAB is on to something. Every book that contains a back page with the end of the author, any book where years of birth and death are mentioned, cannot be written by the author!
Hmmmm some more. This seems to exclude most of the books in my book case!
In more sensible minds the occurrence of a postscript doesn't mean anything. Quite likely Joshua added a postscript to the books God had commanded Moses to write.
Given that God had given him so many revelations, it would not even be impossible for Moses to have been able to write down his own end, especially since God already had foretold him when and where he would die, see chapter 3:25-27.

6 And he buried him in a valley in the land of Moab, over against Beth-peor: but no man knoweth of his sepulchre unto this day.

7 And Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated.

(34:7) "Moses was an hundred and twenty years old when he died: his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated."
At the age of 120, Moses is still as spry as ever. Although according to Deuteronomy 31:2 he could no longer "go out and come in," which seems like a significant handicap.
Was Moses in good mental and physical health at age 120?

See chapter 31:2.

8 And the children of Israel wept for Moses in the plains of Moab thirty days: so the days of weeping and mourning for Moses were ended.

9 And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom; for Moses had laid his hands upon him: and the children of Israel hearkened unto him, and did as the LORD commanded Moses.

10 And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face,

34:10) "And there arose not a prophet since in Israel like unto Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face."
Can God be seen?
Did Moses see God face to face?
Who wrote the Pentateuch?
Who was the greatest prophet?

On if God can be seen: God the Father cannot be seen, but Christ can. But this phrase seems to imply only how Moses communed with God: as if by face to face, with some familiarity, so not necessary literally. It talks about speaking, not seeing face to face, but speaking face to face. See also LookingUntoJesus.
On who wrote the Pentateuch, see Num. 12:3.
On the greatest prophet, clearly this reference cannot mean anything more than at the time of writing as it is not a prophecy. But see Luke 7:28.

11 In all the signs and the wonders, which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt to Pharaoh, and to all his servants, and to all his land,

12 And in all that mighty hand, and in all the great terror which Moses shewed in the sight of all Israel.