Site Where Moses Stood and Looked at Promised Land Reopens to Public

By Suzette Gutierrez-Cachila
Moses Memorial on Mount Nebo
Moses Memorial on top of Mount Nebo Wikimedia Commons

The place traditionally recognized as the site where Moses stood and looked at the Promised Land before he died has been opened once more to the public.

A church and monastery mark the site, which sits at the top of the 817-meter-high Mount Nebo in Jordan.

Known to be one of the most important pilgrimage places for Christians, it has attracted numerous pilgrims from all over the world for many centuries. However, it had been closed for almost 10 years for restoration work.

The Moses Memorial was reopened on Oct. 15, and the event was attended by officials, dignitaries, tourists and representatives from churches, according to The Jordan Times.

The special envoy of Pope Francis, Cardinal Leonardo Sandri, spoke during the inauguration. He stressed the cultural and artistic significance of the site, which holds value to Jews, Christians and Muslims.

“The spiritual treasures that this place holds today are returned to Jordan and to humanity,” Cardinal Sandri said, according to Catholic Herald. “I am very happy to represent here the Holy Father Francis and to be in the place of Moses when he received only the vision of the Promised Land.”

Based on Biblical account, after blessing the 12 tribes of Israel, Moses went up to Mount Nebo where “the Lord showed him the whole land—from Gilead to Dan, all of Naphtali, the territory of Ephraim and Manasseh, all the land of Judah as far as the Mediterranean Sea, the Negev and the whole region from the Valley of Jericho, the City of Palms, as far as Zoar,” as written in Deuteronomy 34.

The Lord told Moses the land he was being shown was the very land He promised to Abraham and his descendants. The Israelites, led by Joshua, did enter the land God had promised to give them, but Moses himself was not able to enter it. It is believed he died on Mount Nebo, although his body was never found.

In 1932, the Franciscan Custody of the Holy Land was brought under the leadership of Jordan’s King Abdullah I. Excavations were made in the area, and archaeologists discovered the ruins of a basilica constructed in 597 A.D. and Byzantine mosaic pavements.

Unfortunately, over the years, the protective structure that was supposed to help keep these archaeological finds safe began to deteriorate and needed restoration. Many years since the restoration work began, people are once more welcome to visit the site.

“We are receiving back not simply a space, rather an invitation and a way of life,” the Cardinal said.

  • [Exclusive Interview] A revelation within the brink of life and death — Meg Leung’s mission in Christian art

    Meg Leung (梁麗橋), an artist with a lifelong love for watercolor painting, sees her art as more than a means of expressing her inner world; it is a bridge connecting her to God. Her artistic journey has revealed God’s perfect plan and inspired her to communicate the power of faith through her wor

  • Transgenderism a fundamental human right? Hong Kong public disagrees, survey finds

    A 2024 survey from the Society for Truth and Light (明光社)'s Center for Life and Ethics Research reveals that respondents from various backgrounds prioritize personal safety and fairness when it comes to transgender issues. When laws involve moral judgments, most respondents believe courts should not make the decisions. The study also indicates that religious believers share similar views with non-religious respondents, reflecting that many churches may rarely address gender topics in depth.

  • Discipleship and Evangelism: Walking the Path of the Great Commission

    Like an ever-flowing spring, the gospel refreshes dry, parched lands and needs our unwavering passion and steadfast faith to transform lives and bring renewal. The "flame in our hearts" calls Christians to keep their faith and love for the Lord ablaze, representing the work and power of the Holy Spirit, driving us to proclaim God's glory boldly.

  • North America Chinese Evangelical Seminary year-end report highlights significant ministry progress

    As the year draws to a close, Rev. James Liu, President of the Chinese Evangelical Seminary North America (CESNA), reflected on the seminary’s remarkable growth and ministry development over the past year. Dedicated to providing theological education to Chinese Christians, CESNA continues to uphold its mission to remain faithful to the gospel and nurture believers. This year’s achievements span academic, ministerial, and outreach endeavors, fostering spiritual growth and advancing missionary wo