Deuteronomy 33: Moses's Final Blessing on Israel
And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.
And 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.
Yea, 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.
Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.
And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together.
Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.
And 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.
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;
Who 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.
They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.
Bless, 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.
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.
And 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,
And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon,
And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills,
And 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.
His 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.
And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents.
They 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.
And 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.
And 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.
And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion’s whelp: he shall leap from Bashan.
And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the Lord: possess thou the west and the south.
And 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.
Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.
There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.
The 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.
Israel 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.
Happy 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.
Deuteronomy 33 presents Moses's final blessing upon the tribes of Israel, a poignant and prophetic moment akin to a last will and testament. This chapter, much like Jacob's blessing in Genesis 49, serves as a powerful send-off, filled with hope, encouragement, and a glimpse into the future of each tribe. It is reasonable to believe that Moses delivered this blessing before ascending Mount Nebo for his final glimpse of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 34:1). As the "father" of the nation, who led them out of Egypt, it was fitting for Moses to impart this blessing, recalling God's faithfulness and guidance throughout their journey.
The Grandeur of God and the Foundation of Blessing (Deuteronomy 33:1-5)
Moses begins by invoking the majesty of God, recalling His glorious appearance at Sinai and His unwavering guidance through the wilderness. These verses set the stage for the blessings that follow, emphasizing that all blessings flow from God's covenant faithfulness. The omission of Simeon and the inclusion of Joseph's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, as distinct tribes is a notable difference from Jacob's blessing.
Blessings on the Tribes: Reuben, Judah, and Levi (Deuteronomy 33:6-11)
Moses then turns his attention to specific tribes, beginning with Reuben, the firstborn, asking that they would live, even if diminished in number (Deuteronomy 33:6). For Judah, the tribe from which Jesus would descend, Moses prays for God's help in battle as they lead the way into the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 33:7). Levi, the tribe of priests, including Moses and Aaron, receives a special blessing for their faithfulness in upholding God's word and covenant through teaching and maintaining His ordinances (Deuteronomy 33:8-10). Moses asks for God's protection against their adversaries (Deuteronomy 33:11).
Blessings of Favor and Prosperity: Benjamin and Joseph (Deuteronomy 33:12-17)
Benjamin, described as "the beloved of the Lord," finds refuge and security in God's presence (Deuteronomy 33:12). This image evokes a sense of peace, like a shepherd carrying a lamb. Joseph, Jacob's favored son, receives a particularly rich blessing, symbolizing material prosperity and abundance (Deuteronomy 33:13-16). Joseph serves as a type of Christ, foreshadowing the Messiah who would redeem His people. The blessings spoken over Joseph's land were realized through his sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, who inherited his portion among the tribes (Deuteronomy 33:17).
Further Tribal Blessings: Zebulun, Issachar, Gad, Dan, Naphtali, and Asher (Deuteronomy 33:18-25)
The blessings continue with the tribes of Zebulun and Issachar (Deuteronomy 33:18-19), Gad and Dan (Deuteronomy 33:20-22), and Naphtali and Asher (Deuteronomy 33:23-25), each receiving unique pronouncements tailored to their character and destiny.
A Final Word of Praise and Assurance (Deuteronomy 33:26-29)
Moses concludes his blessing with a powerful declaration of praise to God, referred to as Jeshurun (Deuteronomy 33:26). Instead of warnings or judgment, Moses offers a vision of God's majestic presence, holding Israel securely in His everlasting arms and promising victory over their enemies (Deuteronomy 33:27). He assures them that if they remain faithful, they will dwell in safety and abundance, enjoying the blessings of a land flowing with grain and wine, with God's protection shielding them from harm (Deuteronomy 33:28-29). This chapter encapsulates the essence of God's covenant with Israel: faithfulness, protection, and abundant blessing for those who trust and obey Him.
And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.
And 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.
Yea, 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.
Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob.
And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together.
Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.
And 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.
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;
Who 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.
They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar.
Bless, 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.
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.
And 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,
And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon,
And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills,
And 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.
His 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.
And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents.
They 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.
And 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.
And 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.
And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion’s whelp: he shall leap from Bashan.
And of Naphtali he said, O Naphtali, satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the Lord: possess thou the west and the south.
And 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.
Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.
There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.
The 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.
Israel 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.
Happy 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.
Deuteronomy 33 presents Moses's final blessing upon the tribes of Israel, a poignant and prophetic moment akin to a last will and testament. This chapter, much like Jacob's blessing in Genesis 49, serves as a powerful send-off, filled with hope, encouragement, and a glimpse into the future of each tribe. It is reasonable to believe that Moses delivered this blessing before ascending Mount Nebo for his final glimpse of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 34:1). As the "father" of the nation, who led them out of Egypt, it was fitting for Moses to impart this blessing, recalling God's faithfulness and guidance throughout their journey.
The Grandeur of God and the Foundation of Blessing (Deuteronomy 33:1-5)
Moses begins by invoking the majesty of God, recalling His glorious appearance at Sinai and His unwavering guidance through the wilderness. These verses set the stage for the blessings that follow, emphasizing that all blessings flow from God's covenant faithfulness. The omission of Simeon and the inclusion of Joseph's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, as distinct tribes is a notable difference from Jacob's blessing.
Blessings on the Tribes: Reuben, Judah, and Levi (Deuteronomy 33:6-11)
Moses then turns his attention to specific tribes, beginning with Reuben, the firstborn, asking that they would live, even if diminished in number (Deuteronomy 33:6). For Judah, the tribe from which Jesus would descend, Moses prays for God's help in battle as they lead the way into the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 33:7). Levi, the tribe of priests, including Moses and Aaron, receives a special blessing for their faithfulness in upholding God's word and covenant through teaching and maintaining His ordinances (Deuteronomy 33:8-10). Moses asks for God's protection against their adversaries (Deuteronomy 33:11).
Blessings of Favor and Prosperity: Benjamin and Joseph (Deuteronomy 33:12-17)
Benjamin, described as "the beloved of the Lord," finds refuge and security in God's presence (Deuteronomy 33:12). This image evokes a sense of peace, like a shepherd carrying a lamb. Joseph, Jacob's favored son, receives a particularly rich blessing, symbolizing material prosperity and abundance (Deuteronomy 33:13-16). Joseph serves as a type of Christ, foreshadowing the Messiah who would redeem His people. The blessings spoken over Joseph's land were realized through his sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, who inherited his portion among the tribes (Deuteronomy 33:17).
Further Tribal Blessings: Zebulun, Issachar, Gad, Dan, Naphtali, and Asher (Deuteronomy 33:18-25)
The blessings continue with the tribes of Zebulun and Issachar (Deuteronomy 33:18-19), Gad and Dan (Deuteronomy 33:20-22), and Naphtali and Asher (Deuteronomy 33:23-25), each receiving unique pronouncements tailored to their character and destiny.
A Final Word of Praise and Assurance (Deuteronomy 33:26-29)
Moses concludes his blessing with a powerful declaration of praise to God, referred to as Jeshurun (Deuteronomy 33:26). Instead of warnings or judgment, Moses offers a vision of God's majestic presence, holding Israel securely in His everlasting arms and promising victory over their enemies (Deuteronomy 33:27). He assures them that if they remain faithful, they will dwell in safety and abundance, enjoying the blessings of a land flowing with grain and wine, with God's protection shielding them from harm (Deuteronomy 33:28-29). This chapter encapsulates the essence of God's covenant with Israel: faithfulness, protection, and abundant blessing for those who trust and obey Him.