Deuteronomy 33

The Blessing of Moses

1 Now this is the blessing with which Moses 1the man of God blessed the sons of Israel before his death.
2 He said, "2The LORD came from Sinai, 3And dawned on them from Seir; 4He shone forth from Mount Paran, And He came from 5the midst of ten thousand holy ones; 6At His right hand there was flashing lightning for them.
3 "7Indeed, He loves the people; 8All Your holy ones are in Your hand, 9And they followed in Your steps; Everyone receives of Your words.
4 "10Moses charged us with a law, 11A possession for the assembly of Jacob.
5 "12And He was king in Jeshurun, When the heads of the people were gathered, The tribes of Israel together.
6 "13May Reuben live and not die, Nor his men be few."
7 14And this regarding Judah; so he said, "Hear, O LORD, the voice of Judah, And bring him to his people. With his hands he contended for them, And may You be a help against his adversaries."
8 Of Levi he said, "Let Your 15Thummim and Your Urim belong to Your 16godly man, 17Whom You proved at Massah, With whom You contended at the waters of Meribah;
9 18Who said of his father and his mother, 'I did not consider them'; And he did not acknowledge his brothers, Nor did he regard his own sons, For 19they observed Your word, And kept Your covenant.
10 "20They shall teach Your ordinances to Jacob, And Your law to Israel. 21They shall put incense before You, And 22whole burnt offerings on Your altar.
11 "O LORD, bless his substance, And accept the work of his hands; Shatter the loins of those who rise up against him, And those who hate him, so that they will not rise again."
12 Of Benjamin he said, "23May the beloved of the LORD dwell in security by Him, 24Who shields him all the day, 25And he dwells between His shoulders."
13 Of Joseph he said, "26Blessed of the LORD be his land, With the choice things of heaven, with the dew, And from the deep lying beneath,
14 And with the choice yield of the sun, And with the choice produce of the months.
15 "And with the best things of 27the ancient mountains, And with the choice things of the everlasting hills,
16 And with the choice things of the earth and its fullness, And the favor 28of Him who dwelt in the bush. Let it come to the head of Joseph, And to the crown of the head of the one distinguished among his brothers.
17 "As the firstborn of his ox, majesty is his, And his horns are the horns of 29the wild ox; With them he will 30push the peoples, All at once, to the ends of the earth. And those are the ten thousands of Ephraim, And those are the thousands of Manasseh."
18 31Of Zebulun he said, "Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going forth, And, Issachar, in your tents.
19 "32They will call peoples to the mountain; There they will offer 33righteous sacrifices; For they will draw out 34the abundance of the seas, And the hidden treasures of the sand."
20 35Of Gad he said, "Blessed is the one who enlarges Gad; He lies down 36as a lion, And tears the arm, also the crown of the head.
21 "37Then he provided the first part for himself, 38For there the ruler's portion was reserved; 39And he came with the leaders of the people; 40He executed the justice of the LORD, And His ordinances with Israel."
22 41Of Dan he said, "Dan is 42a lion's whelp, That leaps forth from Bashan."
23 Of Naphtali he said, "43O Naphtali, satisfied with favor, And full of the blessing of the LORD, Take possession of the sea and the south."
24 44Of Asher he said, "More blessed than sons is Asher; May he be favored by his brothers, 45And may he dip his foot in oil.
25 "46Your locks will be iron and bronze, 47And according to your days, so will your leisurely walk be.
26 "48There is none like the God of Jeshurun, 49Who rides the heavens to your help, And through the skies in His majesty.
27 "50The eternal God is a dwelling place, 51And underneath are the everlasting arms; 52And He drove out the enemy from before * you, 53And said, 'Destroy!'
28 "54So Israel dwells in security, 55The fountain of Jacob secluded, 56In a land of grain and new wine; 57His heavens also drop down dew.
29 "58Blessed are you, O Israel; 59Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD, 60Who is the shield of your help 61And the sword of your majesty! 62So your enemies will cringe before you, 63And you will tread upon their high places."

Deuteronomy 33 Commentary

Chapter 33

The glorious majesty of God. (1-5) The blessings of the twelve tribes. (6-23) Strength to believers. (24,25) The excellency of Israel. (26-29)

Verses 1-5 To all his precepts, warnings, and prophecies, Moses added a solemn blessing. He begins with a description of the glorious appearances of God, in giving the law. His law works like fire. If received, it is melting, warming, purifying, and burns up the dross of corruption; if rejected, it hardens, sears, pains, and destroys. The Holy Spirit came down in cloven tongues, as of fire; for the gospel also is a fiery law. The law of God written in the heart, is a certain proof of the love of God shed abroad there: we must reckon His law one of the gifts of his grace.

Verses 6-23 The order in which the tribes are here blessed, is not the same as is observed elsewhere. The blessing of Judah may refer to the whole tribe in general, or to David as a type of Christ. Moses largely blesses the tribe of Levi. Acceptance with God is what we should all aim at, and desire, in all our devotions, ( 2 Corinthians. 5:9 ) prophecy, that God will keep up a ministry in his church to the end of time. The tribe of Benjamin had their inheritance close to mount Zion. To be situated near the ordinances, is a precious gift from the Lord, a privilege not to be exchanged for any worldly advantage, or indulgence. We should thankfully receive the earthly blessings sent to us, through the successive seasons. But those good gifts which come down from the Father of lights, through the rising of the Sun of righteousness, and the pouring out of his Spirit like the rain which makes fruitful, are infinitely more precious, as the tokens of his special love. The precious things here prayed for, are figures of spiritual blessing in heavenly things by Christ, the gifts, graces, and comforts of the Spirit. When Moses prays for the good will of Him that dwelt in the bush, he refers to the covenant, on which all our hopes of God's favour must be founded. The providence of God appoints men's habitations, and wisely disposes men to different employments for the public good. Whatever our place and business are, it is our wisdom and duty to apply thereto; and it is happiness to be well pleased therewith. We should not only invite others to the service of God, but abound in it. The blessing of Naphtali. The favour of God is the only favour satisfying to the soul. Those are happy indeed, who have the favour of God; and those shall have it, who reckon that in having it they have enough, and desire no more.

Verses 24-25 All shall be sanctified to true believers; if their way be rough, their feet shall be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. As thy days, so shall thy strength be. The "day" is often in Scripture put for the events of the day; it is a promise that God would graciously and constantly support under trials and troubles, whatever they were. It is a promise sure to all the spiritual seed of Abraham. Have they work allotted? They shall have strength to do it. Have they burdens appointed? They shall have strength, and never be tempted above what they are able to bear.

Verses 26-29 None had such a God as Israel. There is no people like the Israel of God. What is here said of the church of Israel is to be applied to the spiritual church. Never were people so well seated and sheltered. Those who make God their habitation, shall have all the comforts and benefits of a habitation in him, Ps. 91:1 . Never were people so well supported and borne up. How low soever the people of God are at any time brought, everlasting arms are underneath them, to keep the spirit from sinking, from fainting, and their faith from failing. Divine grace is ( 2 Corinthians. 12:9 ) commanded. Thus believers are more than conquerors over their spiritual enemies, through Christ that loved them. Never were people so well secured and protected. Israel shall dwell in safety alone. All who keep close to God, shall be kept safe by him. Never were people so well provided for. Every true Israelite looks with faith to the better country, the heavenly Canaan, which is filled with better things than corn and wine. Never were people so well helped. If in danger of any harm, or in want of any good, they had an eternal God to go to. Nothing could hurt those whom God helped, nor was it possible the people should perish who were saved by the Lord. Never were people so well armed. Those in whose hearts is the excellency of holiness, are defended by the whole armour of God, ( Ephesians 6 ) . Never were people so well assured of victory over their enemies. Thus shall the God of peace tread Satan under the feet of all believers, and shall do it shortly, ( Romans 16:20 ) . May God help us to seek and to set our affections on the things above; and to turn our souls from earthly perishing objects; that we may not have our lot with Israel's foes in the regions of darkness and despair, but with the Israel of God, in the realms of love and eternal happiness.

Cross References 63

  • 1. Joshua 14:6
  • 2. Exodus 19:18, 20; Psalms 68:8, 17
  • 3. Judges 5:4
  • 4. Numbers 10:12; Habakkuk 3:3
  • 5. Daniel 7:10; Acts 7:53
  • 6. Exodus 23:20-22
  • 7. Deuteronomy 4:37; Malachi 1:2
  • 8. Deuteronomy 7:6; Deuteronomy 14:2
  • 9. Deuteronomy 6:1-9; Luke 10:39
  • 10. Deuteronomy 4:2; John 7:19
  • 11. Psalms 119:111
  • 12. Numbers 23:21
  • 13. Genesis 49:3, 4
  • 14. Genesis 49:8-12
  • 15. Exodus 28:30; Leviticus 8:8
  • 16. Psalms 106:16
  • 17. Exodus 17:7; Numbers 20:13, 24; Deuteronomy 6:16
  • 18. Exodus 32:27-29
  • 19. Malachi 2:5
  • 20. Leviticus 10:11; Deuteronomy 31:9-13
  • 21. Leviticus 16:12, 13
  • 22. Psalms 51:19
  • 23. Deuteronomy 4:37; Deuteronomy 12:10
  • 24. Deuteronomy 32:11
  • 25. Exodus 28:12
  • 26. Genesis 27:27, 28; Genesis 49:22-26
  • 27. Habakkuk 3:6
  • 28. Exodus 2:2-6; Exodus 3:2, 4
  • 29. Numbers 23:22
  • 30. 1 Kings 22:11; Psalms 44:5
  • 31. Genesis 49:13-15
  • 32. Exodus 15:17; Psalms 2:6; Isaiah 2:3
  • 33. Psalms 4:5; Psalms 51:19
  • 34. Isaiah 60:5
  • 35. Genesis 49:19
  • 36. Genesis 49:9
  • 37. Numbers 32:1-5
  • 38. Numbers 34:14
  • 39. Joshua 4:12
  • 40. Joshua 22:1-3
  • 41. Genesis 49:16
  • 42. Ezekiel 19:2, 3
  • 43. Genesis 49:21
  • 44. Genesis 49:20
  • 45. Job 29:6
  • 46. Psalms 147:13
  • 47. Deuteronomy 4:40; Deuteronomy 32:47
  • 48. Exodus 15:11; Deuteronomy 4:35; Psalms 86:8; Jeremiah 10:6
  • 49. Deuteronomy 10:14; Psalms 68:33, 34; Psalms 104:3; Habakkuk 3:8
  • 50. Psalms 90:1, 2
  • 51. Genesis 49:24
  • 52. Exodus 34:11; Joshua 24:18
  • 53. Deuteronomy 7:2
  • 54. Deuteronomy 33:12; Jeremiah 23:6
  • 55. Numbers 23:9; Deuteronomy 32:8
  • 56. Genesis 27:28, 37
  • 57. Deuteronomy 33:13
  • 58. Psalms 1:1; Psalms 32:1, 2
  • 59. Deuteronomy 4:32; 2 Samuel 7:23
  • 60. Genesis 15:1; Psalms 33:20; Psalms 115:9-11
  • 61. Psalms 68:34
  • 62. Psalms 66:3
  • 63. Numbers 33:52

Footnotes 18

Chapter Summary

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.

Deuteronomy 33 Commentaries

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