And all the plain on this side Jordan eastward, even unto the sea of the plain, under the springs of Pisgah.

DEUTERONOMY 4:49KJV
Know the Bible

Deuteronomy 4:49 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 4:49 mean?

Deuteronomy 4:49 describes the territory east of the Jordan River, specifically mentioning the plain that stretches toward the east, all the way to the “sea of the plain,” near the springs of Pisgah. This verse marks out the eastern boundary of the land that Moses spoke about, just before the Israelites entered Canaan.

In this passage, Moses is speaking to the Israelites as they are camped on the edge of the Promised Land, recounting the areas they have already taken possession of. The verse gives a geographic description, helping the people understand the extent of the land east of the Jordan that was now part of their inheritance, including notable landmarks like the plains and the springs near Pisgah.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 4:49

  • plain (עֲרָבָה, ʿărāvāh): This word refers to a flat or level region, often used for the Jordan Valley or desert plains. Here, it emphasizes the broad, open area east of the Jordan.
  • side (עֵבֶר, ʿēver): This word means “across” or “beyond,” indicating the land on the far side of the Jordan River from the perspective of the Israelites.
  • sea (יָם, yam): This is the general Hebrew word for “sea,” and in this context, it likely refers to the Dead Sea, which is sometimes called the “sea of the plain.”
  • springs (אַשְׁדּוֹת, ashdot): This word means “slopes” or “descents,” and is often used for the slopes or springs near Pisgah, a mountain in the region.
  • Pisgah (פִּסְגָּה, Pisgah): This is a specific mountain or ridge east of the Jordan, known as the place where Moses viewed the Promised Land.

Why Deuteronomy 4:49 matters

  • This verse clarifies the specific boundaries of the land east of the Jordan that was given to the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh, grounding the story in real geography.
  • Mentioning well-known landmarks like Pisgah and the “sea of the plain” helps later readers and listeners visualize and remember the territory involved.
  • The detailed description connects this verse to the larger narrative of Deuteronomy, where Moses is recounting Israel’s journey and the fulfillment of God’s promises regarding the land.

Where else these words appear

“Pisgah” Hebrew H6449 · used in 5 verses

  • Numbers 21:20 And from Bamoth in the valley, that is in the country of Moab, to the top of Pisgah, which looketh toward Jeshimon.
  • Numbers 23:14 And he brought him into the field of Zophim, to the top of Pisgah, and built seven altars, and offered a bullock and a ram on every altar.
  • Deuteronomy 3:27 Get thee up into the top of Pisgah, and lift up thine eyes westward, and northward, and southward, and eastward, and behold it with thine eyes: for thou shalt not go over this Jordan.

“springs” Hebrew H794 · used in 6 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:17 The plain also, and Jordan, and the coast thereof, from Chinnereth even unto the sea of the plain, even the salt sea, under Ashdothpisgah eastward.
  • Joshua 10:40 So Joshua smote all the country of the hills, and of the south, and of the vale, and of the springs, and all their kings: he left none remaining, but utterly destroyed all that breathed, as the LORD God of Israel commanded.
  • Joshua 12:8 In the mountains, and in the valleys, and in the plains, and in the springs, and in the wilderness, and in the south country; the Hittites, the Amorites, and the Canaanites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites:

“plain” Hebrew H6160 · used in 57 verses

  • Numbers 22:1 And the children of Israel set forward, and pitched in the plains of Moab on this side Jordan by Jericho.
  • Joshua 5:10 And the children of Israel encamped in Gilgal, and kept the passover on the fourteenth day of the month at even in the plains of Jericho.
  • Psalms 68:4 Sing unto God, sing praises to his name: extol him that rideth upon the heavens by his name JAH, and rejoice before him.

“eastward” Hebrew H4217 · used in 71 verses

  • Exodus 27:13 And the breadth of the court on the east side eastward shall be fifty cubits.
  • Joshua 16:6 And the border went out toward the sea to Michmethah on the north side; and the border went about eastward unto Taanathshiloh, and passed by it on the east to Janohah;
  • 2 Chronicles 4:4 It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.