Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 32:50
And there on the mountain that you climb, you will die and be gathered to your people, just as your brother Aaron died on Mount Hor and was gathered to his people.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — God addresses Moses on Mount Nebo in Moab, commanding him to ascend and view Canaan before dying there. The words — עֹלֶה ('o.Leh) means "[are] about to go up," and וְ/הֵאָסֵ֖ף (ve./he.'a.Sef) translates as "and be gathered," describing the physical ascent and the idiom for death. The thread — The phrase "gathered to his people" echoes Genesis 25:8 for Abraham and Numbers 20:24 for Aaron, establishing a consistent biblical idiom for death and burial among one's ancestors. Why it lands — The verse records Moses' impending death as a direct consequence of his failure to treat God as holy at Meribah-kadesh, demanding recognition that leadership carries accountability before divine judgment.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And die in the mount whither thou goest up, and be gathered unto thy people; as Aaron thy brother died in mount Hor, and was gathered unto his people:
Cross-references
- Genesis 25:8 And at a ripe old age he breathed his last and died, old and contented, and was gathered to his people.
- Numbers 20:24 “Aaron will be gathered to his people; he will not enter the land that I have given the Israelites, because both of you rebelled against My command at the waters of Meribah.
- Numbers 33:38 At the LORD’s command, Aaron the priest climbed Mount Hor and died there on the first day of the fifth month, in the fortieth year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt.
- Genesis 15:15 You, however, will go to your fathers in peace and be buried at a ripe old age.
- Genesis 25:17 Ishmael lived a total of 137 years. Then he breathed his last and died, and was gathered to his people.
- Genesis 49:33 When Jacob had finished instructing his sons, he pulled his feet into the bed and breathed his last, and he was gathered to his people.
- Daniel 12:13 But as for you, go on your way until the end. You will rest, and then you will arise to your inheritance at the end of the days.”