Midrash su Isaia 53:12

R. Simlai lectured: "Why was Moses our teacher, so anxious to enter the land of Israel? Was it because he was so anxious to enjoy of its fruit or did he want to enjoy its bountifulness? Surely we must say that Moses said thus to himself: 'There are many commandments in which Israel was instructed, but which can not be fulfilled until they enter the land of Israel. I wish therefore to enter the land so that they may be fulfilled through me.' The Holy One, praised be He, thereupon said to him: 'Is then not the reason of thy rewards that thou shalt receive? If so I shall consider it as though you were fulfilling it, as it is said (Is. 53, 12) Therefore will I divide him. [a portion] with the many and with the strong shall he divide the spoil; because he poured out his soul unto death and with transgressors was he numbered; which he bore the sin of many and for the transgressors he let evil befall him; i.e., therefore will I divide him a portion with the many, I shall give him a full portion. Perhaps one will say a portion like the latter generation and not like the former [Abraham, Isaac and Jacob]? The passage therefore reads and with the strong shall he divide the spoils; i.e., like Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, who were mighty in the possession of the Torah and Commandments; because he poured out his soul unto death, for he surrendered himself to death to account of them, as it is said (Ex. 33, 32) Yet now, if thou wilt forgive their sins; but if not, blot me out, I pray Thee, from Thy book which Thou hast written; and with transgressors was he numbered, he was numbered to share the faith among those who died in the wilderness; while he bore the sin of many, he offered prayers for the transgressors of Israel so that they should return through repentance; for the word Pogiah (bore) refers to nothing but prayers, as it is said (Jer. 7, 16) But thou pray not thou in behalf of this people, nor lift up in their behalf of prayer nor make intermission [tiphgah] to Me.

(Bamidbar 25:13) "And it shall be unto him and to his seed after him a covenant of eternal priesthood": This refers to the twenty-four priestly gifts bestowed upon the Cohanim. (Ibid.) "because he was wroth for his G-d": because he was ready to give his life. (Ibid.) "and he will atone for the children of Israel": It is not written "to atone for the children of Israel," but "and he will atone for the children of Israel." Until now he has not stirred (from his place), but he stands and atones until the revival of the dead.

Variantly: We are hereby taught that Moses is destined to go out at the head of all the people by companies: at the head of the company of Torah scholars, at the head of the company of Mishnah scholars, at the head of the company of Talmud scholars, and to receive reward for each. And thus is it written (Isaiah 53:12) "Therefore, I will give him a portion with the many, and he will divide the spoils with the mighty."