Deuteronomy 33

King James Version

Full text for Deuteronomy Chapter 33

1¶ And this [is] the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.

2And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand [went] a fiery law for them.

3Yea, he loved the people; all his saints [are] in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; [every one] shall receive of thy words.

4Moses commanded us a law, [even] the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.

5And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people [and] the tribes of Israel were gathered together.

6¶ Let Reuben live, and not die; and let [not] his men be few.

7And this [is the blessing] of Judah: and he said, Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people: let his hands be sufficient for him; and be thou an help [to him] from his enemies.

8¶ And of Levi he said, [Let] thy Thummim and thy Urim [be] with thy holy one, whom thou didst prove at Massah, [and with] whom thou didst strive at the waters of Meribah;

9Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant.

10They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.

11Bless, LORD, his substance, and accept the work of his hands: smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again.

12¶ [And] of Benjamin he said, The beloved of the LORD shall dwell in safety by him; [and the LORD] shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between his shoulders.

13And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD [be] his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath,

14And for the precious fruits [brought forth] by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon,

15And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills,

16And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and [for] the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let [the blessing] come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him [that was] separated from his brethren.

17His glory [is like] the firstling of his bullock, and his horns [are like] the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they [are] the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they [are] the thousands of Manasseh.

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

19They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck [of] the abundance of the seas, and [of] treasures hid in the sand.

20And of Gad he said, Blessed [be] he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head.

21And he provided the first part for himself, because there, [in] a portion of the lawgiver, [was he] seated; and he came with the heads of the people, he executed the justice of the LORD, and his judgments with Israel.

22¶ And of Dan he said, Dan [is] a lion's whelp: he shall leap from Bashan.

23And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the LORD: possess thou the west and the south.

24And of Asher he said, [Let] Asher [be] blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil.

25Thy shoes [shall be] iron and brass; and as thy days, [so shall] thy strength [be].

26¶ [There is] none like unto the God of Jeshurun, [who] rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.

27The eternal God [is thy] refuge, and underneath [are] the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy [them].

28Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob [shall be] upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew.

29Happy [art] thou, O Israel: who [is] like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who [is] the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.

AI Analysis

AI Summaries

Short Summary

Moses, before his death, delivers a prophetic blessing upon the tribes of Israel. He begins by recalling the LORD's majestic appearance at Sinai and the giving of the fiery law. Each tribe receives a distinct blessing, often highlighting their future prosperity, strength, or unique role. The chapter concludes with a powerful affirmation of Israel's blessedness and security under the protection of the eternal God.

Medium Summary

Deuteronomy 33 records Moses' final prophetic blessing upon the twelve tribes of Israel before his passing. He commences by recounting the LORD's glorious manifestation from Sinai, Seir, and Paran, bringing forth a fiery law and demonstrating His love for His people. Moses then pronounces distinct blessings upon each tribe, often highlighting their specific characteristics, future territories, or roles within the nation. For instance, Levi is blessed for their faithfulness and priestly duties, while Joseph receives a blessing of abundant land and fertility. Judah is blessed with strength against enemies, and Benjamin with divine protection. The blessings for Zebulun and Issachar emphasize their economic activities, and Gad's blessing speaks of his strength and justice. The chapter culminates in a grand declaration of Israel's unique security and prosperity under the care of the eternal God, who rides upon the heavens for their help and provides an everlasting refuge.

Long Summary

Deuteronomy chapter 33 presents Moses' final, divinely inspired blessing upon the children of Israel, delivered just prior to his death. The chapter opens by establishing the context of this significant address, identifying Moses as "the man of God" who imparts these words. Moses begins by exalting the LORD, describing His glorious manifestation from Sinai, Seir, and Paran, accompanied by "ten thousands of saints," and the giving of the "fiery law." He emphasizes God's profound love for His people, who are held in His hand and receive His words. Moses then transitions to individual blessings for each of the twelve tribes. Reuben is blessed with life and increase, while Judah receives a prayer for strength against adversaries and a return to his people. Levi is commended for their unwavering loyalty and is granted the sacred Urim and Thummim, with a promise that they shall teach God's judgments and offer sacrifices. Benjamin is depicted as the "beloved of the LORD," dwelling in safety under divine protection. Joseph receives an extensive blessing of abundant land, precious fruits, and lasting hills, symbolizing great fertility and strength, with Ephraim and Manasseh pushing peoples to the ends of the earth. Zebulun and Issachar are blessed in their going out and tents, respectively, and are noted for calling people to offer sacrifices and drawing wealth from the seas. Gad is blessed as an enlarger, dwelling like a lion and executing the LORD's justice. Dan is described as a lion's whelp leaping from Bashan, while Naphtali is "satisfied with favour" and possesses the west and south. Asher is blessed with children, acceptance among brethren, and the ability to dip his foot in oil, with strength matching his days. The chapter concludes with a magnificent doxology, proclaiming that "none is like unto the God of Jeshurun," who provides help and refuge. Israel is declared to dwell in safety, with a land of corn and wine, and heavens dropping dew. The final verses celebrate Israel's unique status as a people saved by the LORD, who is their shield, sword, and ensures their enemies' defeat.

Core Concepts

  • Divine ManifestationThe LORD's majestic appearance from Sinai, Seir, and Paran, accompanied by 'ten thousands of saints,' signifying His power and the sanctity of the law given to Israel.
  • The Law as InheritanceMoses emphasizes that the law given by God is not merely a set of rules but a precious 'inheritance of the congregation of Jacob,' foundational to their identity and covenant relationship.
  • Tribal BlessingsMoses pronounces specific, often prophetic, blessings upon each of the twelve tribes, highlighting their unique characteristics, future roles, territories, and sources of prosperity.
  • Levitical PriesthoodThe tribe of Levi is singled out for their faithfulness and devotion to God's word and covenant, receiving the privilege of bearing the Urim and Thummim and teaching God's judgments to Israel.
  • Joseph's AbundanceJoseph receives a particularly extensive blessing, emphasizing the fertility and richness of his land, the abundance of natural resources, and the strength of his descendants, Ephraim and Manasseh.
  • God as Israel's ProtectorThe concluding verses powerfully affirm God's role as Israel's eternal refuge, shield, and helper, ensuring their safety, prosperity, and victory over enemies.
  • JeshurunA poetic name for Israel, used to emphasize their uprightness and beloved status before God, highlighting the unique relationship between the LORD and His chosen people.