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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 34:9-12

We have here a very honourable encomium passed both on Moses and Joshua; each has his praise, and should have. It is ungrateful so to magnify our living friends as to forget the merits of those that are gone, to whose memories there is a debt of honour due: all the respect must not be paid to the rising sun; and, on the other hand, it is unjust so to cry up the merits of those that are gone as to despise the benefit we have in those that survive and succeed them. Let God be glorified in both,... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 34:9

And Joshua the son of Nun was full of the spirit of wisdom ,.... The successor of Moses, and who, by the spirit of wisdom on him, was abundantly qualified for the government of the people of Israel; in which he was a type of Christ, on whom the spirit of wisdom and understanding is said to rest, Isaiah 11:2 , for Moses had laid his hands upon him ; which was a symbol of the government being committed to him, and devolving upon him after his death, and expressive of prayer for him, that... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 34:9

Laid his hands upon him - See on Numbers 27:18-23 ; (note). read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 34:9

Verse 9 9.And Joshua the son of Nun. It is again shown how perseveringly God provided for the welfare of the people. We have already seen how, at the request of Moses, Joshua was chosen to succeed him. Now, when he is about to take upon him his office, “thespirit of wisdom” was imparted to him, that it might be effectually manifested that he was appointed by God. He had been, indeed, previously endowed with excellent gifts, but he was now much more splendidly adorned with the ensigns of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 34:1-9

The last journey. (For other aspects of the death of Moses, see Homily on Deuteronomy 32:48-52 .) We have come at last to the closing scene. It is evidently recorded by other hands; for "Dan" ( Deuteronomy 34:2 ) did not exist by that name till a much later period (see Judy. Deuteronomy 18:1 , 27-29). Deuteronomy 34:10-12 indicate, moreover, a period later still; very possibly, it may have been as far on as the time of Ezra when those verses were added. And whoever will make use of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 34:1-12

The death and burial of Moses. We have in this concluding chapter the remarkable account of the death and burial of Moses. He had, as we have seen, blessed the tribes; he had laid his hands on Joshua (verse 9), and thus ordained him, so to speak, to the leadership; he had given his manuscripts to the priests to be deposited in the ark; and now all that remains for him to do is to take the course God indicated to the mountain-top, see the Promised Land, and die. It has suggested some noble... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 34:9

Posthumous influence. Although dead, Moses still ruled. His spirit reappeared in his successor. The principles of Moses had been planted in the nature of Joshua: these had flourished and come to maturity. The memory of Moses was still a mighty power in Israel, and they "did," all through the days of Joshua, "as the Lord commanded Moses." The legislator had molded and trained the warrior. Moses was promoted to higher honor, because Joshua was better qualified for this new work—the... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 34:9

Spirit of wisdom - The practical wisdom of the ruler is especially meant. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 34:9

Deuteronomy 34:9. Joshua was full of the Spirit of wisdom And other gifts and graces also, but wisdom is mentioned as being most necessary for the government to which he was now called. For Moses had laid his hands upon him Whereby he committed to him the supreme authority after his departure, and implored the gifts of the Divine Spirit, to qualify him for it. In like manner the laying on of hands, as a sign of dedicating persons to offices, was accompanied with prayer in the times of the... read more

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