Standing on the mountain peak, Moses looks out over the vast expanse of the Promised Land. His gaze sweeps inward from the most distant borders to the regions immediately before him [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Yet, this sight is not bound by physical geography. It pierces through time, taking in the full sweep of future generations, leaders, and historical events destined for the Israelites, extending all the way to the days of the Messiah [אדרת אליהו].
On a physical level, his eyes trace the Negev, the southern region located at the edge of Judah's territory near Edom [רש״י, העמק דבר]. Though traditionally considered a less fertile portion of the land [משכיל לדוד], it is destined to expand and eventually encompass Mount Esau [אדרת אליהו]. The view then sweeps across the eastern plain of the Jordan [אדרת אליהו] and down into the valley of Jericho, which remains perfectly clear to his eyes despite its depth [ביאור יש״ר]. This specific area earns the title of the city of palm trees due to its unique and exceptional importance [חזקוני]. The physical sightline ends at Zoar, resting on the shores of the Dead Sea [ביאור שטיינזלץ] and marking the beginning of the Sodom desert [העמק דבר]. However, an alternative perspective suggests that this location is not the infamous city of Zoar near Sodom, but rather the area of the Waters of Meribah in the Wilderness of Zin [אדרת אליהו].
Beneath this physical landscape, a deeper historical and spiritual reality unfolds. The Negev hints at the Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, the resting place of the forefathers [רש״י, משכיל לדוד], while also representing the great Torah sages known as the elders of the Negev [אדרת אליהו]. The plain is not merely a geographic valley; it is the future site where King Solomon will cast the holy vessels for the Temple [רש״י], and it stands as a symbol for the wealthy providers and leaders of the nation [אדרת אליהו].
The valley of Jericho carries the heavy weight of history, revealing all the future oppressors who will rise against the Israelites, culminating in the ultimate defeat of Gog and Magog in that very valley [אדרת אליהו]. The final locations in the vision present a profound spiritual contrast. The city of palm trees is viewed by some as a symbol of the Garden of Eden and the righteous who earn their place within it [אדרת אליהו]. Conversely, another tradition identifies this spot as the entrance to Hell, marked by two palm trees that represent destructive desires, lust, and idol worship. In this view, Zoar is also connected to Hell due to its narrow shape [צפנת פענח]. Ultimately, these conflicting visions find harmony in a promise for the distant future, where even the darkest spiritual depths will be transformed and absorbed entirely into the Garden of Eden [אדרת אליהו].