Deuteronomy 33:4-14

4 Moses gave us instruction, a possession for the assembly of Jacob.

5 So He became King in Jeshurun^[a] when the leaders of the people gathered with the tribes of Israel.

6 Let Reuben live and not die though his people become few.^[b]

7 He said this about Judah: Lord, hear Judah's cry and bring him to his people. He fights for his cause^[c] with his own hands, but may You be a help against his foes.

8 He said about Levi: Your Thummim and Urim^[d] belong to Your faithful one;^[e] You tested him at Massah and contended with him at the waters of Meribah.^[f]

9 He said about his father and mother, "I do not regard them." He disregarded his brothers and didn't acknowledge his sons, for they kept Your word and maintained Your covenant.^[g]

10 They will teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your instruction to Israel;^[h] they will set incense before You and whole burnt offerings on Your altar.

11 Lord, bless his possessions,^[i] and accept the work of his hands. Smash the loins of his adversaries and enemies, so that they cannot rise again.

12 He said about Benjamin: The Lord's beloved rests^[j] securely on Him. He^[k] shields him all day long, and he rests on His shoulders.^[l]

13 He said about Joseph: May his land be blessed by the Lord with the dew of heaven's bounty and the watery depths that lie beneath;^[m]

14 with the bountiful harvest from the sun and the abundant yield of the seasons;

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Deuteronomy 33:4-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 33

This chapter relates the blessings Moses pronounced upon the people of Israel a little before his death; first, in general, on account of their having a law given them in so glorious a manner, De 33:1-5; then, in particular, each of the tribes distinctly is blessed, Reuben, De 33:6; Judah, De 33:7; Levi, De 33:8-11; Benjamin, De 33:12; Joseph, De 33:13-17; Zebulun and Issachar, De 33:18,19; Gad, De 33:20,21; Dan, De 33:22; Naphtali, De 33:23; Asher, De 33:24,25; and the chapter is concluded with some strong intimations of what God was unto the people of Israel in general, and of what he had done and would do for them; all which are expressive of their great happiness, De 33:26-29.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Footnotes 13

[a]. Upright One, referring to Israel
[b]. Gn 49:3-4; Jdg 5:15-16
[c]. Or He contends for them
[d]. Two objects used to determine God's will
[e]. DSS, LXX read Give to Levi Your Thummim, Your Urim to Your favored one
[f]. Ex 17:1-7; Nm 20:2-13
[g]. Ex 32:25-29
[h]. Dt 31:9-13
[i]. Or abilities
[j]. Or Let the Lord's beloved rest
[k]. LXX reads The Most High
[l]. Or and He dwells among his mountain slopes
[m]. Pr 3:20

Deuteronomy 33:4-14

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Deuteronomy 33:4-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 33

Footnotes 13