Deuteronomy 33WEB
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Deuteronomy33

World English Bible · Public Domain

1This is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.

2He said, “Yahweh came from Sinai, and rose from Seir to them. He shone from Mount Paran. He came from the ten thousands of holy ones. At his right hand was a fiery law for them.

3Yes, he loves the people. All his saints are in your hand. They sat down at your feet. Each receives your words.

4Moses commanded us a law, an inheritance for the assembly of Jacob.

5He was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people were gathered, all the tribes of Israel together.

6“Let Reuben live, and not die; Nor let his men be few.”

7This is for Judah. He said, “Hear, Yahweh, the voice of Judah. Bring him in to his people. With his hands he contended for himself. You shall be a help against his adversaries.”

8About Levi he said, “Your Thummim and your Urim are with your godly one, whom you proved at Massah, with whom you contended at the waters of Meribah.

9He said of his father, and of his mother, ‘I have not seen him.’ He didn’t acknowledge his brothers, nor did he know his own children; for they have observed your word, and keep your covenant.

10They shall teach Jacob your ordinances, and Israel your law. They shall put incense before you, and whole burnt offering on your altar.

11Yahweh, bless his skills. Accept the work of his hands. Strike through the hips of those who rise up against him, of those who hate him, that they not rise again.”

12About Benjamin he said, “The beloved of Yahweh will dwell in safety by him. He covers him all day long. He dwells between his shoulders.”

13About Joseph he said, “His land is blessed by Yahweh, for the precious things of the heavens, for the dew, for the deep that couches beneath,

14for the precious things of the fruits of the sun, for the precious things that the moon can yield,

15for the best things of the ancient mountains, for the precious things of the everlasting hills,

16for the precious things of the earth and its fullness, the good will of him who lived in the bush. Let this come on the head of Joseph, on the crown of the head of him who was separated from his brothers.

17Majesty belongs to the firstborn of his herd. His horns are the horns of the wild ox. With them he will push all the peoples to the ends of the earth. They are the ten thousands of Ephraim. They are the thousands of Manasseh.”

18About Zebulun he said, “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out; and Issachar, in your tents.

19They will call the peoples to the mountain. There they will offer sacrifices of righteousness, for they will draw out the abundance of the seas, the hidden treasures of the sand.”

20About Gad he said, “He who enlarges Gad is blessed. He dwells as a lioness, and tears the arm and the crown of the head.

21He provided the first part for himself, for the lawgiver’s portion was reserved for him. He came with the heads of the people. He executed the righteousness of Yahweh, His ordinances with Israel.”

22About Dan he said, “Dan is a lion’s cub that leaps out of Bashan.”

23About Naphtali he said, “Naphtali, satisfied with favor, full of Yahweh’s blessing, Possess the west and the south.”

24About Asher he said, “Asher is blessed with children. Let him be acceptable to his brothers. Let him dip his foot in oil.

25Your bars will be iron and bronze. As your days, so your strength will be.

26“There is no one like God, Jeshurun, who rides on the heavens for your help, in his excellency on the skies.

27The eternal God is your dwelling place. Underneath are the everlasting arms. He thrust out the enemy from before you, and said, ‘Destroy!’

28Israel dwells in safety, the fountain of Jacob alone, In a land of grain and new wine. Yes, his heavens drop down dew.

29You are happy, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by Yahweh, the shield of your help, the sword of your excellency? Your enemies will submit themselves to you. You will tread on their high places.”

Study Guide

Public-domain commentary and original-language notes for Deuteronomy 33.

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Chapter Summary

In this chapter: The glorious majesty of God. (1–5). The blessings of the twelve tribes. (6–23). Strength to believers. (24, 25). The excellency of Israel. (26–29).

vv1-5

To all his precepts, warnings, and prophecies, Moses added a solemn blessing. He begins with a description of the glorious appearances of God, in giving the law. His law works like fire. If received, it is melting, warming, purifying, and burns up the dross of corruption; if rejected, it hardens, sears, pains, and destroys. The Holy Spirit came down in cloven tongues, as of fire; for the gospel also is a fiery law. The law of God written in the heart, is a certain proof of the love of God shed abroad there: we must reckon His law one of the gifts of his grace.

vv6-23

The order in which the tribes are here blessed, is not the same as is observed elsewhere. The blessing of Judah may refer to the whole tribe in general, or to David as a type of Christ. Moses largely blesses the tribe of Levi. Acceptance with God is what we should all aim at, and desire, in all our devotions, whether men accept us or not, 2Co 5:9. This prayer is a prophecy, that God will keep up a ministry in his church to the end of time. The tribe of Benjamin had their inheritance close to mount Zion. To be situated near the ordinances, is a precious gift from the Lord, a privilege not to be exchanged for any worldly advantage, or indulgence. We should thankfully receive the earthly blessings sent to us, through the successive seasons. But those good gifts which come down from the Father of lights, through the rising of the Sun of righteousness, and the pouring out of his Spirit like the rain which makes fruitful, are infinitely more precious, as the tokens of his special love. The precious things here prayed for, are figures of spiritual blessing in heavenly things by Christ, the gifts, graces, and comforts of the Spirit. When Moses prays for the good will of Him that dwelt in the bush, he refers to the covenant, on which all our hopes of God's favour must be founded. The providence of God appoints men's habitations, and wisely disposes men to different employments for the public good. Whatever our place and business are, it is our wisdom and duty to apply thereto; and it is happiness to be well pleased therewith. We should not only invite others to the service of God, but abound in it. The blessing of Naphtali. The favour of God is the only favour satisfying to the soul. Those are happy indeed, who have the favour of God; and those shall have it, who reckon that in having it they have enough, and desire no more.

vv24-25

All shall be sanctified to true believers; if their way be rough, their feet shall be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. As thy days, so shall thy strength be. The “day” is often in Scripture put for the events of the day; it is a promise that God would graciously and constantly support under trials and troubles, whatever they were. It is a promise sure to all the spiritual seed of Abraham. Have they work allotted? They shall have strength to do it. Have they burdens appointed? They shall have strength, and never be tempted above what they are able to bear.

Key Words

blessingH1293Hebrew

בְּרָכָה: benediction; by implication prosperity

whichH834Hebrew

אֲשֶׁר: who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.

MosesH4872Hebrew

מֹשֶׁה: Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver

manH376Hebrew

אִישׁ: a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)

GodH430Hebrew

אֱלֹהִים: gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative

blessedH1288Hebrew

בָרַךְ: to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (God or the king, as treason)

peopleH1121Hebrew

בֵּן: a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.)

IsraelH3478Hebrew

יִשְׂרָאֵל: Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity

beforeH6440Hebrew

פָּנִים: the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposition (before, etc.)

deathH4194Hebrew

מָוֶת: death (natural or violent); concretely, the dead, their place or state (hades); figuratively, pestilence, ruin

Cross References

Deuteronomy 33
v9Exodus 32:25-29thematic

Levi's zeal for God's covenant at the molten calf incident, disregarding family ties.

Supported by Matthew Henry, Matthew Poole, JFB

v2Habakkuk 3:3thematic

Poetic parallel of God marching in majesty from the southern mountains of Teman/Paran.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v2Judges 5:4thematic

Deborah's song celebrates God's glorious marching forth from Seir and Sinai.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v8Exodus 28:30thematic

The breastplate containing the Urim and Thummim, representing Levi's sacred priestly role.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v13Genesis 49:22-26thematic

Jacob's deathbed blessing of Joseph closely mirrors Moses' language of deep blessings.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

v16Exodus 3:2-4allusion

Verbal echo to the 'good will of him that dwelt in the bush' at Sinai.

Supported by Matthew Henry, John Calvin

v2Galatians 3:19allusion

The law ordained by angels ('saints'/'holy ones') at Sinai.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v2Hebrews 12:22allusion

Contrasts Sinai's ten thousands of angels with Mount Zion's innumerable company.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v8Numbers 27:21thematic

Urim used for inquiry before the Lord, entrusted to the priestly line.

Supported by JFB

v10Leviticus 10:11thematic

Levites' duty to teach the statutes of Yahweh to the children of Israel.

Supported by John Calvin, JFB

v18Genesis 49:13-15thematic

Parallels Jacob's prophecy concerning the territories and callings of Zebulun and Issachar.

Supported by John Calvin

v21Numbers 32:33thematic

Moses allocating the first conquered Transjordan portion to Gad, Reuben, and Manasseh.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v28Numbers 23:9thematic

Balaam's prophecy that Israel shall dwell safely alone, unique among nations.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v8Exodus 17:7thematic

The testing of Levi and Israel at Massah and Meribah.

Supported by Matthew Poole

v8Deuteronomy 8:2thematic

Refers to God proving/testing His people in the wilderness.

Supported by JFB

v12Genesis 49:27thematic

Jacob's blessing of Benjamin, highlighting his fierce safety and protection.

Supported by JFB

v20Genesis 49:19thematic

Jacob's prediction of Gad's martial prowess, overcoming raiders.

Supported by Matthew Poole, JFB

v23Genesis 49:21thematic

Jacob's brief, favorable blessing of Naphtali as a hind let loose.

Supported by John Calvin

v24Genesis 49:20thematic

Jacob's blessing of Asher, predicting rich, oily bread fit for kings.

Supported by John Calvin

New Testament fulfillment of the promise that strength will match one's days.

Supported by Matthew Henry