Challenge and Difficulty of Moses

4. Sura an-Nisa

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

يَسْأَلُكَ أَهْلُ الْكِتَابِ أَن تُنَزِّلَ عَلَيْهِمْ كِتَابًا مِّنَ السَّمَاء...

4: 153. The People of the Book ask thee to cause a book to descend to them from heaven:

... فَقَدْ سَأَلُواْ مُوسَى أَكْبَرَ مِن ذَلِكَ فَقَالُواْ أَرِنَا اللّهِ جَهْرَةً ...

indeed they asked Moses for an even greater (miracle), for they said:

"Show us Allah in public,"

C657. Cf. 2:55, for the thunder and lightning which affected those who were presumptuous enough to ask that they should see Allah face to face, and 2:51 and n. 66, for the worship of the golden calf.

The lesson is that it is presumptuous on the part of man to judge of spiritual things in terms of material things, or to ask to see Allah with their material eyes when Allah is above material forms and is independent of time and space.

... فَأَخَذَتْهُمُ الصَّاعِقَةُ بِظُلْمِهِمْ...  

but they were dazed for their presumption, with thunder and lightning.

... ثُمَّ اتَّخَذُواْ الْعِجْلَ مِن بَعْدِ مَا جَاءتْهُمُ الْبَيِّنَاتُ فَعَفَوْنَا عَن ذَلِكَ...  

Yet they worshipped the calf even after clear signs had come to them; even so We forgave them;

... وَآتَيْنَا مُوسَى سُلْطَانًا مُّبِينًا ﴿١٥٣﴾  

and gave Moses manifest proofs of authority.

وَرَفَعْنَا فَوْقَهُمُ الطُّورَ بِمِيثَاقِهِمْ ...

4: 154. And for their Covenant We raised over them (the towering height) of Mount (Sinai);

C658. In this verse there is a recapitulation of three salient incidents of Jewish refractoriness already referred to in the second Surah: viz.,

1.    the Covenant under the towering height of Sinai, 2:63:

2.     their arrogance where they were commanded humility in entering a town, 2:58: and

3.     their transgression of the Sabbath, 2:65.

... وَقُلْنَا لَهُمُ ادْخُلُواْ الْبَابَ سُجَّدًا...  

and (on another occasion) We said: "Enter the gate with humility;"

... وَقُلْنَا لَهُمْ لاَ تَعْدُواْ فِي السَّبْتِ وَأَخَذْنَا مِنْهُم مِّيثَاقًا غَلِيظًا ﴿١٥٤﴾  

and (once again) We commanded them: "Transgress not in the matter of the Sabbath."

And We took from them a solemn Covenant.

فَبِمَا نَقْضِهِم مِّيثَاقَهُمْ وَكُفْرِهِم بَآيَاتِ اللّهِ وَقَتْلِهِمُ الأَنْبِيَاء بِغَيْرِ حَقًّ ...

4: 155. (They have incurred divine displeasure):

C659. In verses 155, 156, 157, 160 (latter half), and 161 with parenthetical clauses including those in verses 158-159, and 160 (first half), there is a catalogue of the iniquities of which the Jews were guilty, and for these iniquities we must understand some such words as:

"They are under divine displeasure."

Each clause of the indictment I have indicated by prefixing the word "that."

in that they broke their Covenant: that they rejected the Signs of Allah; that they slew the Messengers in defiance of right;

C660. Cf. 3:21, and notes 363 and 364.

... وَقَوْلِهِمْ قُلُوبُنَا غُلْفٌ...  

that they said, "Our hearts are the wrappings (which preserve Allah's Word; we need no more);"

C661. Cf. 2:88, and n. 92, where the full meaning is explained.

Note the crescendo (heightening effect) in the argument. Their iniquities were:

1.     that they broke their Covenant:

2.     that they rejected Allah's guidance as conveyed in His signs;

3.     that they killed Allah's Messengers and incurred a double guilt, viz., that of murder and that of a deliberate defiance of Allah's law; and

4.     that they imagined themselves arrogantly self-sufficient, which means a blasphemous closing of their hearts for ever against the admission of Allah's grace.

Then begins another series of iniquities from a different point of view:

1.      that they rejected Faith:

2.     that they made false charges against a saintly woman like Mary, who. was chosen by Allah to be the mother of Jesus;

3.     that they boasted of having killed Jesus when they were victims of their own self-hallucination:

4.     that they hindered people from Allah's way: and

5.     that by means of usury and fraud they oppressed their fellow-men.

... بَلْ طَبَعَ اللّهُ عَلَيْهَا بِكُفْرِهِمْ فَلاَ يُؤْمِنُونَ إِلاَّ قَلِيلاً ﴿١٥٥﴾

nay Allah hath set the seal on their hearts for their blasphemy, and little is it they believe.

Other versions:

4: 153 [an-Nisa, Medina 92]

Asad The followers of the Old Testament [note 164] demand of you [O Prophet] that you cause a revelation to be sent down to them from heaven [note 165]. ……………….whereupon the thunderbolt of punishment overtook them for this their wickedness. After that they took to worshipping the [golden] calf – and this after all evidence to the truth had come to them!...............

Yusuf Ali The people of the Book ask thee to cause a book to descend to them from heaven: indeed they asked Moses for an even greater (miracle) for they said: "Show us Allah in public" but they were dazed for their presumption with thunder and lightning. Yet they worshipped the calf even after clear signs had come to them; even so We forgave them; and gave Moses manifest proofs of authority.

Pickthall The People of the Scripture ask of thee that you should cause an (actual) Book to descend upon them from heaven. They asked a greater thing of Moses aforetime, for they said: Show us Allah plainly. The storm of lightning seized them for their wickedness. Then (even after that) they chose the calf (for worship) after clear proofs (of Allah's Sovereignty) had come unto them. And We forgave them that! And We bestowed on Moses evident authority.

Transliteration Yas'aluka ahlul kita_bi an tunazzila 'alaihim kita_bam minas sama_'i fa qad sa'alu_ mu_sa_ akbara min za_lika fa qa_lu_ arinallu_ha jahratan fa akhazathumus sa_'iqatu bi zulmihim, summattakhazul'ijla mim ba'di ma_ ja_'athumul bayyina_tu fa'afauna_ 'an za_lik(a), wa a_taina_ mu_sa_ sulta_nam mubina_(n).

4: 154

Unal (Moreover) We raised the Mount to tower above them to secure their promise (to hold firmly to the Book), and (on another occasion when We guided them to a town) We commanded them, “Go in to it through its gate prostrating (humbly in utmost submission to God)”; and again We once commanded them, “Do not exceed the bounds with respect to the Sabbath,” and We took form them a most solemn pledge.

Asad raising Mount Sinai high above them in witness of their solemn pledge. And We said unto them, “Enter the gate humbly” [note 167]; and We told them, “Do not break the Sabbath-law”; and We accepted form them a most solemn pledge.

Yusuf Ali And for their Covenant We raised over them (the towering height) of Mount (Sinai); and (on another occasion) We said: "Enter the gate with humility"; and (once again) We commanded them: "Transgress not in the matter of the Sabbath." And We took from them a solemn Covenant.

Pickthall And We caused the Mount to tower above them at (the taking of) their covenant: and We bade them: Enter the gate, prostrate! and we bade them: Transgress not the Sabbath! and We took from them a firm covenant.

Transliteration Wa rafa'na_ fauqahumut tu_ra bi misa_qihim wa qulna_ lahumudkhulul ba_ba sujjadaw wa qulna_ lahum la_ ta'du_ fis sabti wa akhazna_ minhum misa_qan galiza_(n).

4: 155

Yusuf Ali (They have incurred divine displeasure): in that they broke their Covenant: that they rejected the Signs of Allah; that they slew the Messengers in defiance of right; that they said "Our hearts are the wrappings (which preserve Allah's Word; we need no more)"; nay Allah hath set the seal on their hearts for their blasphemy and little is it they believe.

Pickthall Then because of their breaking of their covenant, and their disbelieving in the revelations of Allah, and their slaying of the Prophets wrongfully, and their saying: Our hearts are hardened Nay, but Allah hath set a seal upon them for their disbelief, so that they believe not save a few

Fabima_ naqdihim misa_qahum wa kufrihim bi a_ya_tilla_hi wa qatlihimul ambiya_'a bi gairi haqqiw wa qaulihim qula_buna_ gulf(un), baltaba'alla_hu 'alaiha_ bi kufrihim fala_ yu'minu_na illa_ qalila_(w).

[[ Ruby’s note – Demanding to see God is a reflection of arrogance and rejection. God is manifesting through His entire creation and His signs are written in the amazing nature of reality. If one is wise, humble and righteous one should see this truth and the miracles laid down in reality pointing towards God’s existence. Only when one is arrogant, wicked, too addicted to the illusions of life and want to deny God’s existence, one finds the audacity demanding the proof of God. A searching true heart on the other hand should see God’s existence in any direction he/she looks.]]

[[ Asad’s note 165 – Sc., “in proof of thy prophet-hood”. Alternatively, the sentence may be understood thus: “They ask thee to bring down unto them an [actual] book form heaven.” In view, however, of the oft-repeated Quranic statement that the Jews were convinced that they alone could be granted divine revelation, it seems to me that the rendering adopted by me is the more appropriate.]

note 166- See 2:55 and the corresponding note 40].

note 167 – See 2:58-59 and the corresponding notes. note 169- See 2:88 and the corresponding notes.]]

[[ Ali’s notes:

657 Cf. ii. 55, for the thunder and lightning which affected those who were presumptuous enough to ask that they should see Allah face to face, and ii. 51, and n. 66, for the worship of the golden calf. The lesson is that it is presumptuous on the part of man to judge of spiritual things in terms of material things, or to ask to see Allah with their material eyes when Allah is above material forms and is independent of time and space. (4.153)

658 In this verse there is a recapitulation of three salient incidents of Jewish refractoriness already referred to in the second Sura: viz., (1) the Covenant under the towering height of Sinai, ii. 63: (2) their arrogance where they were commanded humility in entering a town, ii. 58: and (3) their transgression of the Sabbath, ii. 65. (4.154)

659 In verses 155, 156, 157, 160 (latter half), and 161 with parenthetical clauses including those in verses 158-159, and 160 (first half), there is a catalogue of the iniquities of which the Jews were guilty, and for these iniquities we must understand some such words as: "They are under divine displeasure." Each clause of the indictment I have indicated by prefixing the word "that." (4.155)

660 Cf. iii. 21, and nn. 363 and 364. (4.155)

661 Cf. ii. 88, and n. 92, where the full meaning is explained. Note the crescendo (heightening effect) in the argument. Their iniquities were: (1) that they broke their Covenant: (2) that they rejected Allah's guidance as conveyed in His signs; (3) that they killed Allah's Messengers and incurred a double guilt, viz., that of murder and that of a deliberate defiance of Allah's law; and (4) that they imagined themselves arrogantly self-sufficient, which means a blasphemous closing of their hearts forever against the admission of Allah's grace. Then begins another series of iniquities from a different point of view: (1) that they rejected Faith: (2) that they made false charges against a saintly woman like Mary, who was chosen by Allah to be the mother of Jesus; (3) that they boasted of having killed Jesus when they were victims of their own self-hallucination: (4) that they hindered people from Allah's way: and (5) that by means of usury and fraud they oppressed their fellow-men. (4.155) ]]

5. Surah Al-Ma'idah

The Quranic Text & Ali’s Version:

يَا قَوْمِ ادْخُلُوا الأَرْضَ المُقَدَّسَةَ الَّتِي كَتَبَ اللّهُ لَكُمْ ...

5: 21. "O my people! enter the holy land which Allah hath assigned unto you

C724. We now come to the events detailed in the 13th and 14th chapters of the Book of Numbers in the Old Testament. Read these as a Commentary, and examine a good map of the Sinai Peninsula, showing its connections with Egypt on the west. North-West Arabia on the east, and Palestine on the north-east.

We may suppose that Israel crossed from Egypt into the Peninsula somewhere near the northern extremity of the Gulf of Suez. Moses organized and numbered the people, and instituted the Priesthood. They went south about 200 miles to Mount Sinai where the Torah was received. Then, perhaps a hundred and fifty miles north, was the desert of Paran, close to the southern borders of Canaan.

From the camp there twelve men were sent to spy out the land, and they penetrated as far as Hebron, say about 150 miles north of their camp, about 20 miles south of the future Jerusalem. They saw a rich country, and brought from it pomegranates and figs and a bunch of grapes so heavy that it had to be carried by two men on a staff. They came back and reported that the land was rich, but the men there were too strong for them. The people of Israel had no courage and no faith, and Moses remonstrated with them.

... وَلاَ تَرْتَدُّوا عَلَى أَدْبَارِكُمْ فَتَنقَلِبُوا خَاسِرِينَ ﴿٢١﴾

and turn not back ignominiously, for then will ye be overthrown, to your own ruin."

قَالُوا يَا مُوسَى ...

22. They said: "O Moses!

... إِنَّ فِيهَا قَوْمًا جَبَّارِينَ وَإِنَّا لَن نَّدْخُلَهَا حَتَّىَ يَخْرُجُواْ مِنْهَا...

in this land are a people of exceeding strength: never shall we enter it until they leave it:

C725. The people were not willing to follow the lead of Moses, and were not willing to fight for their "inheritance."

In effect they said: "Turn out the enemy first, and then we shall enter into possession."

In Allah's Law we must work and strive for what we wish to enjoy.

... فَإِن يَخْرُجُواْ مِنْهَا فَإِنَّا دَاخِلُونَ ﴿٢٢﴾

if (once) they leave, then shall we enter."

قَالَ رَجُلاَنِ مِنَ الَّذِينَ يَخَافُونَ أَنْعَمَ اللّهُ عَلَيْهِمَا ...

5: 23. (But) among (their) God-fearing men were two on whom Allah had bestowed His Grace: they said:

C726. Among those who returned after spying out the land were two men who had faith and courage.

They were Joshua and Caleb. Joshua afterwards succeeded Moses in the leadership after 40 years.

These two men pleaded for an immediate entry through the proper Gate, which I understand to mean, "after taking all due precautions and making all due preparations". Cf. 2:189 and n. 203.

But of course, they said, they must put their trust in Allah for victory.

... ادْخُلُواْ عَلَيْهِمُ الْبَابَ...

"Assault them at the (proper) gate:

... فَإِذَا دَخَلْتُمُوهُ فَإِنَّكُمْ غَالِبُونَ ...

when once ye are in, victory will be yours.

... وَعَلَى اللّهِ فَتَوَكَّلُواْ إِن كُنتُم مُّؤْمِنِينَ ﴿٢٣﴾

But on Allah put your trust if ye have faith."

قَالُواْ يَا مُوسَى إِنَّا لَن نَّدْخُلَهَا أَبَدًا مَّا دَامُواْ فِيهَا...

5: 24. They said: "O Moses!

while they remain there, never shall we be able to enter, to the end of time.

... فَاذْهَبْ أَنتَ وَرَبُّكَ فَقَاتِلا إِنَّا هَاهُنَا قَاعِدُونَ ﴿٢٤﴾

Go thou, and thy Lord, and fight ye two, while we sit here (and watch)."

C727. The advice of Joshua and Caleb, and the proposals of Moses under divine instructions were unpalatable to the crowd, whose prejudices were further inflamed by the other ten men who had gone with Joshua and Caleb.

They made an "evil report," and were frightened by the great stature of the Canaanites. The crowd was in open rebellion, was prepared to stone Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb, and return to Egypt.

Their reply to Moses was full of irony, insolence, blasphemy, and cowardice. In effect they said:

"You talk of your God and all that: go with your God and fight there if you like: we shall sit here and watch."

قَالَ رَبِّ إِنِّي لا أَمْلِكُ إِلاَّ نَفْسِي وَأَخِي فَافْرُقْ بَيْنَنَا وَبَيْنَ الْقَوْمِ الْفَاسِقِينَ ﴿٢٥﴾

25. He said:

"O my Lord! I have power only over myself and my bother, so separate us from this rebellious people!"

C728. "Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation." (Num. 14:5).

According to the words in the Old Testament story, Allah said: "I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them." (Num. 14:12).

Moses prayed and interceded. But as we are told here, (a spiritual touch not found in the Jewish story).

Moses was careful to separate himself and his brother from the rebellion.

قَالَ فَإِنَّهَا مُحَرَّمَةٌ عَلَيْهِمْ أَرْبَعِينَ سَنَةً ...

5: 26. Allah said:

"Therefore will the land be out of their reach for forty years;

C729. The punishment of the rebellion of these stiff-necked people, rebellion that was repeated "these ten times" (Num. 14:22) and more, was that they were left to wander distractedly hither and thither through the wilderness for forty years.

That generation was not to see the Holy Land. All those that were twenty years old and upwards were to die in the wilderness: "your carcasses shall fail in this wilderness." (Num. 14:29). Only those who were then children would reach the Promised land.

And so it happened. From the desert of Paran they wandered south, north, and east for forty years. From the head of what is now the Gulf of Aqabah, they travelled north, keeping to the east side of the depression of which the Dead Sea and the river Jordan are portions.

Forty years afterwards they crossed the Jordan opposite what is now Jericho, but by that time Moses, Aaron, and the whole of the elder generation had died.

... يَتِيهُونَ فِي الأَرْضِ...

in distraction will they wander through the land:

... فَلاَ تَأْسَ عَلَى الْقَوْمِ الْفَاسِقِينَ ﴿٢٦﴾

but sorrow thou not over these rebellious people."

Other versions:

5: 21

Asad O my people! Enter the holy land which God has promised you; but do not turn back [on your faith], for then you will be lost!”

Yusuf Ali "O my people! enter the holy land which Allah hath assigned unto you and turn not back ignominiously for then will ye be overthrown to your own ruin."

Pickthall O my people! Go into the holy land which Allah hath ordained for you. Turn not in flight, for surely ye turn back as losers:

Transliteration Ya_ qaumidkhulul ardal muqaddasatal lati kataballa_hu lakum wa la_ tartaddu_ 'ala_ adba_rikum fatanqalibu_ kha_sirin(a).

[[ Ali’s notes -

724 We now come to the events detailed in the 13th and 14th chapters of the Book of Numbers in the Old Testament. Read these as a Commentary, and examine a good map of the Sinai Peninsula, showing its connections with Egypt on the west, North-West Arabia on the east, and Palestine on the north-east. We may suppose that Israel crossed from Egypt into the Peninsula somewhere near the northern extremity of the Gulf of Suez. Moses organised and numbered the people, and instituted the Priesthood. They went south about 200 miles to Mount Sinai where the Torah was received. Then, perhaps a hundred and fifty miles north, was the desert of Paran, close to the southern borders of Canaan. From the camp there twelve men were sent to spy out the land, and they penetrated as far as Hebron, say about 150 miles north of their camp, about 20 miles south of the future Jerusalem. They saw a rich country, and brought from it pomegranates and figs and a bunch of grapes so heavy that it had to be carried by two men on a staff. They came back and reported that the land was rich, but the men there were too strong for them. The people of Israel had no courage and no faith, and Moses remonstrated with them. (5.21) ]]

5:22 [ al-Maidah, Medina 112 ]

Asad They answered: “O Moses! Behold, ferocious people dwell in that land [note 33], and we will surely not enter it unless they depart therefrom;…..

Yusuf Ali They said: "O Moses! in this land are a people of exceeding strength: never shall we enter it until they leave it: if (once) they leave then shall we enter."

Pickthall They said: O Moses! Lo! a giant people (dwell) therein, and lo! we go not in till they go forth from thence. When they go forth, then we will enter (not till then).

Transliteration Qa_lu_ ya_ mu_sa_ inna fiha_ qauman jabba_rin(a), wa inna_lan nadkhulaha_ hatta_ yakhruju_ minha_, fa iyyakhruju_ minha_ fa inna_ da_khilu_n(a).

[[ Asad’s note 33 - ….See Numbers xiii, 32-33, and also the whole of ch. xiv which speaks the terror that overwhelmed the Israelites on hearing the report of the twelve scouts mentioned in verse 12 of this surah, and of the punishment of their cowardice and lack of faith.

5: 23

Asad ………………”Enter upon them through the gate [note 34] – for as soon as you enter it, behold, you shall be victorious! And in God you must place your trust if you are [truly] believers!”

Yusuf Ali (But) among (their) Allah-fearing men were two on whom Allah had bestowed His Grace: they said: "Assault them at the (proper) gate: when once ye are in, victory will be yours. But on Allah put your trust if ye have faith."

Pickthall Then outspake two of those who feared (their Lord, men) unto whom Allah had been gracious: Enter in upon them by the gate, for if ye enter by it, lo! ye will be victorious. So put your trust (in Allah) if ye are indeed believers.

Transliteration Qa_la rajula_ni minal lazina yakha_fu_na an'amalla_hu'alaihimadkhulu_ 'alaihimul ba_b(a), fa iza_ dakhaltumu_hu fa innakum ga_libu_n(a), wa 'alalla_hi fa tawakkalu_ in kuntum mu'minin(a).

[[ Asad’s note 34 – I.e., by frontal attack. According to the Bible (Numbers xiv, 6-9, 24, 30, 38), the two God-fearing men were Joshua and Caleb, who had been among the twelve spies sent out to explore Canaan………persuade to …to place their trust in God.]]

5: 24

Yusuf Ali They said: O "Moses! while they remain there never shall we be able to enter to the end of time. Go thou and thy Lord and fight ye two while we sit here (and watch)."

Pickthall They said: O Moses! We will never enter (the land) while they are in it. So go thou and thy Lord and fight! We will sit here.

Transliteration Qa_lu_ ya_ mu_sa_ inna_ lan nadkhulaha_ abadam ma_ da_mu_ fiha_, fazhab anta wa rabbuka fa qa_tila_ inna_ ha_ huna_ qa_'idu_n(a).

5: 25

Yusuf Ali He said: "O my Lord! I have power only over myself and my bother so separate us from this rebellious people!"

Pickthall He said: My Lord! I have control of none but myself and my brother, so distinguish between us and the wrongdoing folk.

Transliteration Qa_la rabbi inni la_ amliku illa_ nafsi wa akhi fafruq bainana_ wa bainal qaumil fa_siqin(a).

5: 26

Yusuf Ali Allah said: "Therefore will the land be out of their reach for forty years; in distraction will they wander through the land: but sorrow thou not over these rebellious people."

Pickthall (Their Lord) said: For this the land will surely be forbidden them for forty years that they will. wander in the earth, bewildered. So grieve not over the wrongdoing folk.

Transliteration Qa_la fa innaha_ muharramatun 'alaihim arba'ina sanah(tan), yatihu_na fil ard(i), fala_ ta'sa 'alal qaumil fa_siqin(a).

[[Ali’s notes - 725 The people were not willing to follow the lead of Moses, and were not willing to fight for their "inheritance." In effect they said: "Turn out the enemy first, and then we shall enter into possession." In Allah's Law we must work and strive for what we wish to enjoy. (5.22)

726 Among those who returned after spying out the land were two men who had faith and courage. They were Joshua and Caleb. Joshua afterwards succeeded Moses in the leadership after 40 years. These two men pleaded for an immediate entry through the proper Gate, which I understand to mean, "after taking all due precautions and making all due preparations". Cf. ii.189 and n. 203. But of course, they said, they must put their trust in Allah for victory. (5.23)

727 The advice of Joshua and Caleb, and the proposals of Moses under divine instructions were unpalatable to the crowd, whose prejudices were further inflamed by the other ten men who had gone with Joshua and Caleb. They made an "evil report," and were frightened by the great stature of the Canaanites. The crowd was in open rebellion, was prepared to stone Moses, Aaron, Joshua, and Caleb, and return to Egypt. Their reply to Moses was full of irony, insolence, blasphemy, and cowardice. In effect they said: "You talk of your God and all that: go with your God and fight there if you like: we shall sit here and watch." (5.24)

728 "Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation. "(Num. xiv. 5). According to the words in the Old Testament story, Allah said: "I will smite them with the pestilence, and disinherit them." (Num. xiv. 12). Moses prayed and interceded. But as we are told here, (a spiritual touch not found in the Jewish story). Moses was careful to separate himself and his brother from the rebellion. (5.25)

729 The punishment of the rebellion of these stiff-necked people, rebellion that was repeated "these ten times" (Num. xiv. 22) and more, was that they were left to wander distractedly hither and thither through the wilderness for forty years. That generation was not to see the Holy Land. All those that were twenty years old and upwards were to die in the wilderness: "your carcasses shall fail in this wilderness." (Num. xiv. 29). Only those who were then children would reach the Promised land. And so it happened. From the desert of Paran they wandered south, north, and east for forty years. From the head of what is now the Gulf of 'Aqaba, they traveled north, keeping to the east side of the depression of which the Dead Sea and the river Jordan are portions. Forty years afterwards they crossed the Jordan opposite what is now Jericho, but by that time Moses, Aaron, and the whole of the elder generation had died. (5.26) ]]