Deuteronomy 33:1-2

Moses’ Final Blessing on Israel

1 This is the blessing with which Moses ¹the man of God blessed the people of Israel before his death.

2 He said, ²“The Lord came from Sinai and dawned from Seir upon us; ^[a] he shone forth from Mount Paran; he came ³from the ten thousands of holy ones, with flaming fire^[b] at his right hand.

Deuteronomy 33:1-2 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. 33:1 Josh. 14:6; 1 Chr. 23:14; 2 Chr. 30:16; Ezra 3:2
• 2. 33:2 [Ex. 19:18, 20; Judg. 5:4, 5; Ps. 68:7, 8; Hab. 3:3]
• 3. 33:2 [Ps. 68:17; Dan. 7:10; Acts 7:53; Gal. 3:19; Heb. 2:2; Jude 14; Rev. 5:11]

Footnotes

• [a] 33:2 Septuagint, Syriac, Vulgate; Hebrew 'them'
• [b] 33:2 The meaning of the Hebrew word is uncertain