Deuteronomy 33:23-29

23 About Naphtali he said: “Naphtali is abounding with the favor of the LORDand is full of his blessing; he will inherit southward to the lake.”

24 About Asher he said: “Most blessed of sons is Asher; let him be favored by his brothers, and let him bathe his feet in oil.

25 The bolts of your gates will be iron and bronze, and your strength will equal your days.

26 “There is no one like the God of Jeshurun, who rides across the heavens to help you and on the clouds in his majesty.

27 The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He will drive out your enemies before you, saying, ‘Destroy them!’

28 So Israel will live in safety; Jacob will dwell^[a] secure in a land of grain and new wine, where the heavens drop dew.

29 Blessed are you, Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is your shield and helper and your glorious sword. Your enemies will cower before you, and you will tread on their heights.”

Deuteronomy 33:23-29 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

• 1. S Genesis 30:8
• 2. S Genesis 30:13; Genesis 49:21
• 3. S Genesis 49:20; S Deuteronomy 32:13; Job 29:6
• 4. Nehemiah 3:3; Nehemiah 7:3; Psalms 147:13
• 5. S Deuteronomy 32:47">Dt Deuteronomy 32:47; Deuteronomy 4:40; Deuteronomy 32:47
• 6. S Deuteronomy 32:15; Exodus 15:11
• 7. Psalms 18:10; Psalms 68:33
• 8. S Deuteronomy 10:14; S Psalms 104:3
• 9. 2 Samuel 22:10; Psalms 18:9; Psalms 68:4; Daniel 7:13
• 10. S Exodus 15:7
• 11. Exodus 15:18; Isaiah 40:28; Isaiah 57:15
• 12. Psalms 9:9; Psalms 84:1; Psalms 90:1; Psalms 91:9
• 13. S Genesis 21:33
• 14. Exodus 34:11; Joshua 24:18
• 15. S Deuteronomy 7:2
• 16. S Exodus 33:16; S Leviticus 25:18; S Deuteronomy 32:8; Psalms 16:9; Proverbs 1:33; Isaiah 14:30; Numbers 23:9; Jeremiah 23:6
• 17. ver 13; Genesis 27:28
• 18. Psalms 1:1; Psalms 32:1-2; Psalms 144:15
• 19. 2 Samuel 22:45; Psalms 18:44; Psalms 66:3; Psalms 81:15
• 20. Deuteronomy 4:7; 2 Samuel 7:23
• 21. Genesis 15:1; Exodus 18:4; Psalms 10:14; Psalms 18:1; Psalms 27:1,9; Psalms 30:10; Psalms 54:4; Psalms 70:5; Psalms 115:9-11; Psalms 118:7; Isaiah 45:24; Hosea 13:9; Habakkuk 3:19
• 22. S Numbers 33:52; S Deuteronomy 32:13

Footnotes

• [a]. Septuagint; Hebrew "Jacob’s spring is"