Deuteronomy 33:1-7

Moses Blesses the Tribes

1 This is the blessing that Moses the man of God pronounced on the Israelites before his death.

2 He said: “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned over them from Seir; he shone forth from Mount Paran. He came with^[a] myriads of holy ones from the south, from his mountain slopes.^[b]

3 Surely it is you who love the people; all the holy ones are in your hand. At your feet they all bow down, and from you receive instruction,

4 the law that Moses gave us, the possession of the assembly of Jacob.

5 He was king over Jeshurun^[c] when the leaders of the people assembled, along with the tribes of Israel.

6 “Let Reuben live and not die, nor^[d] his people be few.”

7 And this he said about Judah: “Hear, LORD, the cry of Judah; bring him to his people. With his own hands he defends his cause. Oh, be his help against his foes!”

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Deuteronomy 33:1-7 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

Cross References 16

1. S Genesis 27:4
2. Joshua 14:6; 1 Samuel 2:27; 1 Samuel 9:6; 1 Kings 12:22; 1 Kings 13:1; 2 Kings 1:9-13; 2 Kings 5:8; Jeremiah 35:4
3. Exodus 19:18; Psalms 68:8
4. Joshua 11:17; Judges 5:4
5. Psalms 50:2; Psalms 80:1; Psalms 94:1
6. S Numbers 10:12; Habakkuk 3:3
7. Psalms 89:7; Daniel 4:13; Daniel 7:10; Daniel 8:13; Zechariah 14:5; Acts 7:53; Galatians 3:19; Hebrews 2:2; Revelation 5:11
8. S Deuteronomy 4:37; Hosea 11:1
9. Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 14:2
10. Luke 10:39; Revelation 4:10
11. Deuteronomy 4:2; John 1:17; John 7:19
12. Psalms 119:111
13. S Exodus 16:8; 1 Samuel 10:19; Psalms 10:16; Psalms 149:2
14. S Numbers 23:21; S Deuteronomy 32:15
15. S Genesis 34:5
16. S Genesis 49:10

Footnotes 4

[a]. Or "from"
[b]. The meaning of the Hebrew for this phrase is uncertain.
[c]. "Jeshurun" means "the upright one," that is, Israel; also in verse 26.
[d]. Or "but let"