Deuteronomy 33:1-8

1 This is the blessing that Moses, the man of God, gave to the people of Israel before his death:

2 “The LORD came from Mount Sinai and dawned upon us from Mount Seir; he shone forth from Mount Paran and came from Meribah-kadesh with flaming fire at his right hand.

3 Indeed, he loves his people; all his holy ones are in his hands. They follow in his steps and accept his teaching.

4 Moses gave us the LORD ’s instruction, the special possession of the people of Israel.

5 The LORD became king in Israel — when the leaders of the people assembled, when the tribes of Israel gathered as one.”

6 Moses said this about the tribe of Reuben: “Let the tribe of Reuben live and not die out, though they are few in number.”

7 Moses said this about the tribe of Judah: “O LORD, hear the cry of Judah and bring them together as a people. Give them strength to defend their cause; help them against their enemies!”

8 Moses said this about the tribe of Levi: “O LORD, you have given your Thummim and Urim—the sacred lots— to your faithful servants the Levites. You put them to the test at Massah and struggled with them at the waters of Meribah.

Deuteronomy 33:1-8 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. As in Greek and Syriac versions; Hebrew reads upon them.
• [b]. Or came from myriads of holy ones, from the south, from his mountain slopes. The meaning of the Hebrew is uncertain.
• [c]. As in Greek version; Hebrew reads Indeed, lover of the peoples.
• [d]. Hebrew of Jacob. The names “Jacob” and “Israel” are often interchanged throughout the Old Testament, referring sometimes to the individual patriarch and sometimes to the nation.
• [e]. Hebrew in Jeshurun, a term of endearment for Israel.
• [f]. Hebrew lacks Moses said this about the tribe of Reuben.
• [g]. As in Greek version; Hebrew lacks the Levites.