Deuteronomy 33:21-29

21 "1Then he provided the first part for himself, 2For there the ruler's portion was reserved; 3And he came with the leaders of the people; 4He executed the justice of the LORD, And His ordinances with Israel."
22 5Of Dan he said, "Dan is 6a lion's whelp, That leaps forth from Bashan."
23 Of Naphtali he said, "7O Naphtali, satisfied with favor, And full of the blessing of the LORD, Take possession of the sea and the south."
24 8Of Asher he said, "More blessed than sons is Asher; May he be favored by his brothers, 9And may he dip his foot in oil.
25 "10Your locks will be iron and bronze, 11And according to your days, so will your leisurely walk be.
26 "12There is none like the God of Jeshurun, 13Who rides the heavens to your help, And through the skies in His majesty.
27 "14The eternal God is a dwelling place, 15And underneath are the everlasting arms; 16And He drove out the enemy from before * you, 17And said, 'Destroy!'
28 "18So Israel dwells in security, 19The fountain of Jacob secluded, 20In a land of grain and new wine; 21His heavens also drop down dew.
29 "22Blessed are you, O Israel; 23Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, 24Who is the shield of your help 25And the sword of your majesty! 26So your enemies will cringe before you, 27And you will tread upon their high places."

Deuteronomy 33:21-29 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.

Cross References 27

  • 1. Numbers 32:1-5
  • 2. Numbers 34:14
  • 3. Joshua 4:12
  • 4. Joshua 22:1-3
  • 5. Genesis 49:16
  • 6. Ezekiel 19:2, 3
  • 7. Genesis 49:21
  • 8. Genesis 49:20
  • 9. Job 29:6
  • 10. Psalms 147:13
  • 11. Deuteronomy 4:40; Deuteronomy 32:47
  • 12. Exodus 15:11; Deuteronomy 4:35; Psalms 86:8; Jeremiah 10:6
  • 13. Deuteronomy 10:14; Psalms 68:33, 34; Psalms 104:3; Habakkuk 3:8
  • 14. Psalms 90:1, 2
  • 15. Genesis 49:24
  • 16. Exodus 34:11; Joshua 24:18
  • 17. Deuteronomy 7:2
  • 18. Deuteronomy 33:12; Jeremiah 23:6
  • 19. Numbers 23:9; Deuteronomy 32:8
  • 20. Genesis 27:28, 37
  • 21. Deuteronomy 33:13
  • 22. Psalms 1:1; Psalms 32:1, 2
  • 23. Deuteronomy 4:32; 2 Samuel 7:23
  • 24. Genesis 15:1; Psalms 33:20; Psalms 115:9-11
  • 25. Psalms 68:34
  • 26. Psalms 66:3
  • 27. Numbers 33:52

Footnotes 5

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