Deuteronomy 33:15-25

15 with the finest produce of the ancient mountains, and the abundance of the everlasting hills;

16 with the choice gifts of the earth and its fullness, and the favor of the one who dwells on Sinai. Let these come on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers.

17 A firstborn bull—majesty is his! His horns are the horns of a wild ox; with them he gores the peoples, driving them to the ends of the earth; such are the myriads of Ephraim, such the thousands of Manasseh.

18 And of Zebulun he said: Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out; and Issachar, in your tents.

19 They call peoples to the mountain; there they offer the right sacrifices; for they suck the affluence of the seas and the hidden treasures of the sand.

20 And of Gad he said: Blessed be the enlargement of Gad! Gad lives like a lion; he tears at arm and scalp.

21 He chose the best for himself, for there a commander's allotment was reserved; he came at the head of the people, he executed the justice of the Lord, and his ordinances for Israel.

22 And of Dan he said: Dan is a lion's whelp that leaps forth from Bashan.

23 And of Naphtali he said: O Naphtali, sated with favor, full of the blessing of the Lord, possess the west and the south.

24 And of Asher he said: Most blessed of sons be Asher; may he be the favorite of his brothers, and may he dip his foot in oil.

25 Your bars are iron and bronze; and as your days, so is your strength.

Deuteronomy 33:15-25 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.

Footnotes

• [a]. Cn: Heb [in the bush]
• [b]. Q Ms Gk Syr Vg: MT [His firstborn]
• [c]. Cn: Heb [the peoples, together]