Deuteronomy 3:23
Deuteronomy 3:23 in Multiple Translations
At that time I also pleaded with the LORD:
And I besought the LORD at that time, saying,
And I besought Jehovah at that time, saying,
And at that time I made request to the Lord, saying,
This was also the time I pleaded with the Lord, saying,
And I besought the Lord the same time, saying,
'And I entreat for grace unto Jehovah, at that time, saying,
I begged GOD at that time, saying,
And I besought the LORD at that time, saying,
And I besought the Lord at that time, saying:
“At that time, I earnestly prayed, saying
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 3:23
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 3:23 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וָ/אֶתְחַנַּ֖ן
אֶל
יְהוָ֑ה
בָּ/עֵ֥ת
הַ/הִ֖וא
לֵ/אמֹֽר
וָ/אֶתְחַנַּ֖ן
chânan
H2603
be gracious
Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-1cs
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
to(wards)
Prep
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
The Lord
N-proper
בָּ/עֵ֥ת
ʻêth
H6256
time
Prep | N-cs
הַ/הִ֖וא
hûwʼ
H1931
he/she/it
Art | Pron
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
to say
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 3:23
וָ/אֶתְחַנַּ֖ן
chânan
H2603
"be gracious"
Conj | V-Hithpael-ConsecImperf-1cs
This Hebrew word means to show kindness or favor, often by bending or stooping to help someone in need, as seen in the actions of God towards his people.
Definition: 1) to be gracious, show favour, pity 1a) (Qal) to show favour, be gracious 1b) (Niphal) to be pitied 1c) (Piel) to make gracious, make favourable, be gracious 1d) (Poel) to direct favour to, have mercy on 1e) (Hophal) to be shown favour, be shown consideration 1f) (Hithpael) to seek favour, implore favour
Usage: Occurs in 73 OT verses. KJV: beseech, [idiom] fair, (be, find, shew) favour(-able), be (deal, give, grant (gracious(-ly), intreat, (be) merciful, have (shew) mercy (on, upon), have pity upon, pray, make supplication, [idiom] very. See also: Genesis 33:5; Psalms 37:21; Psalms 4:2.
אֶל
ʼêl
H413
"to(wards)"
Prep
This Hebrew word means 'to' or 'toward', showing direction or movement. It appears in many books, including Genesis and Exodus, to indicate where someone is going. The KJV translates it in various ways, like 'about', 'according to', or 'against'.
Definition: 1) to, toward, unto (of motion) 2) into (limit is actually entered) 2a) in among 3) toward (of direction, not necessarily physical motion) 4) against (motion or direction of a hostile character) 5) in addition to, to 6) concerning, in regard to, in reference to, on account of 7) according to (rule or standard) 8) at, by, against (of one's presence) 9) in between, in within, to within, unto (idea of motion to)
Usage: Occurs in 4205 OT verses. KJV: about, according to, after, against, among, as for, at, because(-fore, -side), both...and, by, concerning, for, from, [idiom] hath, in(-to), near, (out) of, over, through, to(-ward), under, unto, upon, whether, with(-in). See also: Genesis 1:9; Genesis 21:14; Genesis 31:13.
יְהוָ֑ה
Yᵉhôvâh
H3068
"The Lord"
N-proper
Yehovah is another name for God, often translated as 'the Lord'. It is a national name for God in the Jewish faith. This name is used throughout the Old Testament.
Definition: Another name of ye.ru.sha.laim (יְרוּשָׁלִַ֫ם, יְרוּשְׁלֵם "Jerusalem" H3389)
Usage: Occurs in 5522 OT verses. KJV: Jehovah, the Lord. Compare H3050 (יָהּ), H3069 (יְהֹוִה). See also: Genesis 2:4; Genesis 24:42; Exodus 8:8.
בָּ/עֵ֥ת
ʻêth
H6256
"time"
Prep | N-cs
Eth means time, especially now or when, and can refer to an event, experience, or occasion. It is often used to describe a specific moment or period.
Definition: 1) time 1a) time (of an event) 1b) time (usual) 1c) experiences, fortunes 1d) occurrence, occasion
Usage: Occurs in 258 OT verses. KJV: [phrase] after, (al-) ways, [idiom] certain, [phrase] continually, [phrase] evening, long, (due) season, so (long) as, (even-, evening-, noon-) tide, (meal-), what) time, when. See also: Genesis 8:11; 2 Chronicles 35:17; Psalms 1:3.
הַ/הִ֖וא
hûwʼ
H1931
"he/she/it"
Art | Pron
This word is a pronoun meaning 'he', 'she', or 'it', used to refer to a person or thing. It is used in the Bible to emphasize a subject or make it clear who is being talked about.
Definition: pron 3p s 1) he, she, it 1a) himself (with emphasis) 1b) resuming subj with emphasis 1c) (with minimum emphasis following predicate) 1d) (anticipating subj) 1e) (emphasising predicate) 1f) that, it (neuter) demons pron 2) that (with article)
Usage: Occurs in 1693 OT verses. KJV: he, as for her, him(-self), it, the same, she (herself), such, that (...it), these, they, this, those, which (is), who. See also: Genesis 2:11; Genesis 32:19; Exodus 21:3.
לֵ/אמֹֽר
ʼâmar
H559
"to say"
Prep | V-Qal-Inf-a
This Hebrew word means to say or speak, and it's used in many different ways in the Bible. It can mean to command, promise, or think, and it's translated in the KJV as 'answer', 'appoint', or 'command'.
Definition: 1) to say, speak, utter 1a) (Qal) to say, to answer, to say in one's heart, to think, to command, to promise, to intend 1b) (Niphal) to be told, to be said, to be called 1c) (Hithpael) to boast, to act proudly 1d) (Hiphil) to avow, to avouch Aramaic equivalent: a.mar (אֲמַר "to say" H0560)
Usage: Occurs in 4337 OT verses. KJV: answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. See also: Genesis 1:3; Genesis 18:23; Genesis 25:32.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 3:23
Show Verse Quote Highlights
Context — Moses Forbidden to Cross the Jordan
21And at that time I commanded Joshua: “Your own eyes have seen all that the LORD your God has done to these two kings. The LORD will do the same to all the kingdoms you are about to enter.
22Do not be afraid of them, for the LORD your God Himself will fight for you.”
23At that time I also pleaded with the LORD:
24“O Lord GOD, You have begun to show Your greatness and power to Your servant. For what god in heaven or on earth can perform such works and mighty acts as Yours? 25Please let me cross over and see the good land beyond the Jordan—that pleasant hill country as well as Lebanon!”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 Corinthians 12:8–9 | Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly in my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest on me. |
Deuteronomy 3:23 Summary
In Deuteronomy 3:23, Moses is showing us that it's okay to ask God for things we really want, as long as we do it with humility and reverence. Moses wanted to see the Promised Land, and he asked God to let him cross over, as seen in Deuteronomy 3:25. We can learn from Moses' example to come to God with our requests, trusting in His goodness and sovereignty, as seen in Jeremiah 29:11. By doing so, we can, like Moses, acknowledge God's greatness and power, and express our gratitude to Him, as seen in Psalm 100:4-5.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Moses' attitude when he pleaded with the Lord in Deuteronomy 3:23?
Moses' attitude was one of humility and reverence, as seen in his words in Deuteronomy 3:24, where he acknowledges God's greatness and power, and also in Exodus 32:11, where he intercedes for the Israelites.
Why did Moses plead with the Lord at this specific time?
Moses pleaded with the Lord because he wanted to see the good land beyond the Jordan, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 3:25, which was a promise God had made to the Israelites, as seen in Deuteronomy 1:35 and Genesis 12:7.
Is it okay to plead with God like Moses did in Deuteronomy 3:23?
Yes, it is okay to plead with God, as the Bible encourages us to come to Him with our requests and concerns, as seen in Philippians 4:6 and Psalm 55:22.
What can we learn from Moses' example of pleading with the Lord?
We can learn the importance of humility, reverence, and persistence in our prayers, as well as the value of trusting in God's goodness and sovereignty, as seen in Romans 8:28 and Jeremiah 29:11.
Reflection Questions
- What are some things you have been wanting to ask or plead with God about, and how can you approach Him with humility and reverence?
- In what ways can you, like Moses, acknowledge God's greatness and power in your life, and how can you express your gratitude to Him?
- What promises has God made to you, and how can you, like Moses, trust in His goodness and sovereignty to fulfill them?
- How can you balance your desires and requests with a willingness to accept God's will, as seen in Moses' eventual acceptance of not entering the Promised Land, as mentioned in Deuteronomy 3:26-27?
Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 3:23
And I besought the Lord at that time,.... When he was told he should die, and Joshua should succeed him; or when the two kings were slain, and their kingdoms conquered; this being the beginning,
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 3:23
And I commanded Joshua at that time, saying, Thine eyes have seen all that the LORD your God hath done unto these two kings: so shall the LORD do unto all the kingdoms whither thou passest. No JFB commentary on these verses.
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 3:23
(23-28) And I besought the Lord at that time.—Two things Moses is recorded to have asked for himself in the story of the exodus. The first is written in Exodus 33:18, “I beseech thee shew me thy glory;” the second is before us here. “O Lord GOD (Adonai Jehovah), thou hast begun to shew thy servant thy greatness and thy mighty hand . . . I pray thee let me go over and see the good land beyond Jordan.” It would seem that Moses desired not so much to view the land (which, indeed, was granted him), but to see the greatness of Jehovah manifested in the conquest, as he had seen it in the victories over Og and Sihon. While we cannot allow for a moment that “the old fathers looked only for transitory promises” (see Notes on Deuteronomy 5:16; Deuteronomy 22:7), yet it is impossible not to feel in this prayer of Moses the pressure of the veil which hung over the unseen world before the coming of our Saviour, who “brought life and immortality to light through the Gospel.” Moses evidently did not realise that he might see the works of Jehovah and His glory still more clearly in the other world.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 3:23
23–29. Moses’ Prayer and its Rejection At that time Moses besought God to finish what He had begun and show him all His greatness (Deuteronomy 3:23 f.), by letting him cross Jordan and view the whole land (Deuteronomy 3:25). Wroth with him on Israel’s account God refused (Deuteronomy 3:26) and bade him ascend the Pisgah and thence view the land (Deuteronomy 3:27); also he must charge Joshua as his successor in leading Israel to their heritage (Deuteronomy 3:28). They abode in the ravine opposite Beth-Pe‘or (Deuteronomy 3:29).—To this prayer there is no parallel in JE; for the JE account of the ascent of the Pisgah see Deuteronomy 34:1 b ff. Nor does P record the prayer; it ascribes the exclusion of Moses to his own sin at Ḳ ?adesh, and differently names the Mt he ascended; with Deuteronomy 3:27 f. cp. Deuteronomy 32:48-52, Numbers 20:12; Numbers 27:12-21. See further the notes immediately after this, that on Deuteronomy 1:37, and those on Deuteronomy 32:48 ff.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 3:23
| Sermon | Description | |
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The Death of Moses by David Ravenhill | David Ravenhill discusses the significance of Moses' death and the transition to Joshua's leadership, emphasizing that God often raises new leaders during times of change. He refle |
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How a Christian Gives Himself Away by Alan Redpath | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the need for a different approach to church programs and gatherings. He highlights the story of Gideon and how God used a small number of men |
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Discipleship or Survivalship: Survival for Strugglers by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker shares a personal experience of breaking his foot while kicking boxes. He emphasizes the importance of not becoming discouraged when growth in our Chris |
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Why Our Prayers Aren't Answered by Al Whittinghill | In this sermon, the preacher emphasizes the importance of not ignoring the cry of the poor, as it can have consequences for oneself. The preacher suggests that God may be trying to |
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Cd Gv279 Coney Hill Morning Service by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker reflects on the guilt he feels when enjoying recreational activities while millions of people suffer without food and homes. He shares his personal expe |
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Mission Fest Alaska 2008 by George Verwer | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of building a strong spiritual foundation for global missions. He highlights the need for men and women of God who possess mor |
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Let Me Speak, Lastly, to Those Who Do Pray by J.C. Ryle | J.C. Ryle emphasizes the significance of prayer in the life of a believer, urging Christians to approach prayer with reverence, humility, and earnestness. He highlights the necessi |