Deuteronomy 33:28

28 Israel shall dwell trustily and alone; the eye of Jacob is in the land of wheat, and of wine; and (the) heavens shall be dark with dew. (And then Israel shall live secure and alone; the tribes of Jacob shall be in the land of corn, and of wine; and the skies shall be dark with dew.)

Deuteronomy 33:28 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 33:28

Israel then shall dwell in safety alone
The Canaanites being thrust out of their land, and Israel put into the possession of it, should dwell in safety, or "confidently" F12; without fear of enemies, though surrounded with them on all hands; and though alone, a separate people, distinct from all others their neighbours round about them; see ( Numbers 23:9 ) . So the spiritual Israel dwell in the eternal God, their mansion, or dwelling place; in Christ, their rock; and in a strong city, the church, where they are in the utmost safety. God is all around them; Christ is their refuge, strong hold, and tower; the Holy Spirit in the midst of them is mighty; angels are their guardians, and the church their strong city, whose walls and bulwarks are salvation: here they dwell confidently and securely; though they have sometimes their fears, they have no just reason for them; and when faith is in exercise, are free from them, casting all their care on the Lord, and having confidence in him; where they are alone, not solitary; all the three divine Persons dwell with them, and also angels and saints their fellow citizens; but independent of others, having large provisions in Christ, in the covenant, and in the house of God; and are a separate and distinct people now, and will be to all eternity; (See Gill on Numbers 23:9);

the fountain of Jacob [shall be] upon a land of corn and wine;
that is, the Israelites that spring from Jacob, as streams of water from a fountain; see ( Isaiah 48:1 ) ; these shall be or dwell upon the land of Canaan, a land abounding with corn and wine, and all good things, ( Deuteronomy 8:7-9 ) ; or "in" or "by the fountain of Jacob" F13; in a well watered land, there they should dwell. So the spiritual Israel of God dwell in and by Christ, the fountain of gardens, the well of living waters, of life and salvation, in whom all fulness of grace dwells for their supply: or "the eye of Jacob" F14 is or shall be on a land that is, the Israelites had their eye on the good land of Canaan, and would quickly not only be in sight, but in possession of it. Every true Israelite has a spiritual eye, which is the eve of faith, the evidence of things not seen, which looks to and upon that better country, the land afar off, heaven and eternal happiness, and expects and waits for the full, enjoyment of it:

also his heavens shall drop down dew:
the heavens over the land of Canaan should drop down dew upon it, and make it fruitful to bring forth corn and wine, which was Jacob's blessing, ( Genesis 27:28 ) . Thus the Lord in the heavens drops down the dew of grace, and the blessings of it, upon his people, which make them revive as the corn, and grow as the vine; and Christ's heavenly ministers drop the dew of Gospel doctrine upon them, to the great refreshment of them, ( Deuteronomy 32:3 ) ( Hosea 14:5-7 ) .


FOOTNOTES:

F12 (xjb) "confidenter", V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; "secure", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius.
F13 "Fonte Jabakobi", Junius & Tremellius, "apud fontem Jacobi", Cocceius.
F14 (bqey Nye) "oculus Jahakob", V. L. Tigurine version, Pagninus, Montanus, Munster.

Deuteronomy 33:28 In-Context

26 None other god is as the God of the most rightful; the rider of heaven is thine helper; clouds run about by the glory of him. (There is no other god like the God of Jeshurun; the Rider of heaven is thy helper, riding upon the clouds in his glory/riding through the clouds in his glory.)
27 His dwelling place is above, and his arms everlasting be beneath; he shall cast out from thy face the enemy, and he shall say to them, Be thou all-broken. (His dwelling place is above, but his everlasting arms be beneath; he shall throw out the enemy from before us, and he shall say to us, Destroy them all!)
28 Israel shall dwell trustily and alone; the eye of Jacob is in the land of wheat, and of wine; and (the) heavens shall be dark with dew. (And then Israel shall live secure and alone; the tribes of Jacob shall be in the land of corn, and of wine; and the skies shall be dark with dew.)
29 Blessed art thou, Israel; thou people that art saved in the Lord, who is like thee? The shield of thine help and the sword of thy glory is thy God; thine enemies shall deny thee, and thou shalt tread their necks. (Blessed art thou, O Israel; who is like thee? the people who art saved by the Lord! Thy God is the shield of thy help, and the sword of thy glory; thy enemies shall beg thee for mercy, but thou shalt tread upon their necks!)
Copyright © 2001 by Terence P. Noble. For personal use only.