Deuteronomy 33:11

11 LORD, bless them with strength and be pleased with the work they do. Break the backs of those who attack them and hate them so that they can never get up again."

Deuteronomy 33:11 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 33:11

Bless, Lord, his substance
Which lay in tithes, firstfruits for the priests and Levites had no share in the division of the land; unless this can be understood of the cities and suburbs which were given them, or of houses and fields devoted, which fell unto them, or rather of their cattle, for the use of which they had suburbs appointed them; for otherwise in husbandry and merchandise they were not employed: some render it "an host" or army F12, their service being a militia, or warfare, ( Numbers 4:3 ) ; Jarchi refers this to the Hasmonaeans or Maccabees, which were of this tribe;

and accept the work of his hands;
in offering incense and sacrifices, and all other administrations of the office of priests and Levites; thus the righteousness and sacrifice of Christ are of a sweet smelling savour, and very acceptable to God; and all the spiritual sacrifices of the saints who are priests unto God, as of prayer and praise, are acceptable to him through Jesus Christ:

smite through the loins of them that rise against him;
such as were the companies of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; and in all ages faithful ministers of the word meet with many enemies, whom they would not be, able to withstand were not the Lord to appear for them, and protect them from them, and smite them thoroughly:

and of them that hate them, that they rise not again;
destroying them with an utter destruction, so that they are not able to make any other efforts upon them; for such who are enemies to the priests of the Lord are enemies to him, and to true religion, enemies to God and Christ, to the law and to the Gospel, to the word of God and to the ordinances of it, and therefore to be severely handled and thoroughly punished: Christ's enemies shall all be subdued under him; see ( Psalms 110:1 Psalms 110:5 Psalms 110:6 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F12 (wlyx) "copiis ejus", Junius & Tremellius; "[vel] exercitibus ejus", Piscator.

Deuteronomy 33:11 In-Context

9 They said that they didn't know their father and mother. They didn't recognize their own brothers. They didn't acknowledge their own children. But they obeyed your word and were faithful to the terms of your promise.
10 They teach Jacob your rules and give Israel your teachings. They burn incense for you to smell and sacrifice burnt offerings on your altar.
11 LORD, bless them with strength and be pleased with the work they do. Break the backs of those who attack them and hate them so that they can never get up again."
12 About the tribe of Benjamin he said, "The LORD's beloved people will live securely with him. The LORD will shelter them all day long, since he, too, lives on the mountain slopes."
13 About the tribes of Joseph he said, "May the LORD bless their land with [water,] the best gift heaven can send, with dew and deep springs below the ground.
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