If Moses died how did he write of his death?
Moses wrote the 5 books of Scripture, and common sense follows that Joshua added the ending of Moses death.
The key distinction is between the main authorship of the Pentateuch and a short editorial/posthumous addition.
1. Moses wrote the Pentateuch
The traditional view is that Moses was the human author of the first five books:
• Genesis
• Exodus
• Leviticus
• Numbers
• Deuteronomy
GotQuestions explicitly describes these as the “books of Moses” and says Moses wrote the Pentateuch, while recognizing that a few passages appear to have been added later.
This is also consistent with the biblical language of “the Law of Moses” (e.g., Joshua 1:7; Luke 24:44).
2. Moses obviously didn't write the account of his own death
Deuteronomy 34:5–8 describes Moses' death, burial, mourning, and even says that no one knew his burial place.
So Moses could not have physically written those verses after his death.
GotQuestions' explanation is that Moses wrote Deuteronomy up to the end of his life, and someone—most likely Joshua—added the account of Moses' death afterward. GotQuestions specifically says:
“It is likely that Joshua, as Moses’ successor as leader of Israel, wrote the account of Moses’ death.”
It also acknowledges other possibilities, such as Ezra or the elders, but Joshua is presented as most likely, & Scripture explicitly tells us.
3. That doesn't undermine Mosaic authorship
This is an important point in Christianity.
Deuteronomy 34
That doesn't mean Joshua wrote Deuteronomy as a whole. It means a later inspired [by God] a writer was moved to completed that historical account after Moses' death.
And there is precedent for this kind of thing. GotQuestions makes essentially the same observation concerning Joshua 24:29–31, where Joshua's death is recorded. It regards that ending as likely added after Joshua's death.
So the position can be summarized:
Moses is the principal human author of the Pentateuch, while Deuteronomy 34 is a posthumous addition—traditionally and plausibly attributed to Joshua.
Joshua is the leading traditional candidate for whoever added the account of Moses' death.
God still wrote it, using men. Just as He did for all the 66 books of Holy Scripture in the Bible.
Scripture records what God wanted preserved for the benefit and instruction of His people.
And regarding the Old Testament specifically:
1 Corinthians 10:11 — “Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction…”
Romans 15:4 — “For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.”
2 Timothy 3:16–17 — “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…”
As far as Moses and Deuteronomy 34, even if Joshua recorded Moses' death, that account became part of the inspired Scripture that God preserved for the instruction of subsequent generations—including us.
Additional verses and why the Scriptures were written....
Romans 4:23–24
“But the words ‘it was counted to him’ were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also…”
Romans 15:4
“Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction…”
Scripture written to teach and give hope
2 Timothy 3:16–17
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…”
The Old Testament not just the New Testament was written for later generations.
Psalm 102:18
“Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD…”
Psalm 78:5–7 God established His testimony and law in Israel “that the next generation might know them… so that they should set their hope in God.”
Deuteronomy 31:24–27 Moses commanded that the words of the law be written and preserved as a witness for Israel. And God intended it to also be a blessing & guide for all who would come to faith in the future, so it is relevant today and always.
So the original historical event → recorded in Scripture → preserved by God → intended not merely for the original people, but also for later believers and generations.
And as we close this topic, these verses are related too, and applicable for you. Notice the explicit purpose of these truths:
John 20:31
“But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
2 Timothy 3:15
“…the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
These call each of us to the Gospel of Jesus for salvation. Jesus himself said "Repent and believe the Gospel" in Mark 1:15, and also said you must "be born again" to enter Heaven.
Tomorrow isnt guaranteed, so settle this matter today, right now. Get right with God.
I pray God leads you to the cross of the Savior & transforms you into a new creation, and with it (as an adopted child of God) you have a personal fellowship with Him now and for all eternity. May he bless you as you persevere in the Faith & into maturity.
“But the words ‘it was counted to him’ were not written for his sake alone, but for ours also…”
Romans 15:4
“Whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction…”
Scripture written to teach and give hope
2 Timothy 3:16–17
“All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness…”
The Old Testament not just the New Testament was written for later generations.
Psalm 102:18
“Let this be recorded for a generation to come, so that a people yet to be created may praise the LORD…”
Psalm 78:5–7 God established His testimony and law in Israel “that the next generation might know them… so that they should set their hope in God.”
Deuteronomy 31:24–27 Moses commanded that the words of the law be written and preserved as a witness for Israel. And God intended it to also be a blessing & guide for all who would come to faith in the future, so it is relevant today and always.
So the original historical event → recorded in Scripture → preserved by God → intended not merely for the original people, but also for later believers and generations.
And as we close this topic, these verses are related too, and applicable for you. Notice the explicit purpose of these truths:
John 20:31
“But these are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.”
2 Timothy 3:15
“…the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.”
These call each of us to the Gospel of Jesus for salvation. Jesus himself said "Repent and believe the Gospel" in Mark 1:15, and also said you must "be born again" to enter Heaven.
Tomorrow isnt guaranteed, so settle this matter today, right now. Get right with God.
I pray God leads you to the cross of the Savior & transforms you into a new creation, and with it (as an adopted child of God) you have a personal fellowship with Him now and for all eternity. May he bless you as you persevere in the Faith & into maturity.
1 John 4:9 - "In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him."
John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world. that he gave his only Son.."
"But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." Romans 5:8
Ephesians 2:4-5 - "But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us... made us alive together with Christ..."
God went to great lengths and at great cost to make salvation available, and that free gift, that offer has been made to you today. Do not reject it and trample on His blood & sacrifice.
This is the most important thing you will ever need to address in this life. And if you die in 5 minutes, 5 hours, tomorrow or whenever- it will be too late. Do not delay this. Your life and eternity are at stake.
Hebrews 9:27 warns -
“Just as people are destined to die once, and after that to face judgment.”
But those who recieve the Gospel -
John 3:16 — “Whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” That's begins today and continues after you step through deaths door into eternity.
Take the right path, go the way of blessing, restoration, reconciliation. And live life as you were designed to, by His purpose, His design, be in fellowship with your Creator, God as your Heavenly Father, following your Savior, pursuing a godly, holy, righteous life.
Pray to God right now in humility with a contrite heart, repenting once for all of your sins, and placing your trust in Jesus who paid your sin debt to God in full by His life and death.
Then find a Bible focused church where you can be baptized in obedience to God, to show others "what has already happened to you": you died in Christ [died to sin] & were raised in Christ [as He rose from the dead] and you were made new creation. *This testifies of your transformation & brings glory to God.
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