Deuteronomy 33:1-6

1 Now this is the blessing which Moses, the man of God, gave to the children of Israel before his death.

2 He said, The Lord came from Sinai, dawning on them from Seir; shining out from Mount Paran, coming from Meribath Kadesh: from his right hand went flames of fire: his wrath made waste the peoples.

3 All his holy ones are at his hand; they go at his feet; they are lifted up on his wings.

4 Moses gave us a law, a heritage for the people of Jacob.

5 And there was a king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel came together.

6 Let life not death be Reuben's, let not the number of his men be small.

Deuteronomy 33:1-6 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.