Deuteronomy - Chapter 33

Deuteronomy 33.1 And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. Deuteronomy 33.2 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. Deuteronomy 33.3 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. Deuteronomy 33.4 Moses commanded us a law, even the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob. Deuteronomy 33.5 And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together. Deuteronomy 33.6 Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few. Deuteronomy 33.7 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. Deuteronomy 33.8 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; Deuteronomy 33.9 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. Deuteronomy 33.10 They shall teach Jacob thy judgments, and Israel thy law: they shall put incense before thee, and whole burnt sacrifice upon thine altar. Deuteronomy 33.11 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. Deuteronomy 33.12 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. Deuteronomy 33.13 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, Deuteronomy 33.14 And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon, Deuteronomy 33.15 And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills, Deuteronomy 33.16 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. Deuteronomy 33.17 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. Deuteronomy 33.18 And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents. Deuteronomy 33.19 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. Deuteronomy 33.20 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. Deuteronomy 33.21 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. Deuteronomy 33.22 And of Dan he said, Dan is a lion’s whelp: he shall leap from Bashan. Deuteronomy 33.23 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. Deuteronomy 33.24 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. Deuteronomy 33.25 Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be. Deuteronomy 33.26 There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky. Deuteronomy 33.27 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. Deuteronomy 33.28 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. Deuteronomy 33.29 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 : Chapter 33

Moses' Blessings on the Tribes of Israel

Chapter 33 of Deuteronomy is a solemn moment in biblical history, as it contains the final blessings of Moses on the tribes of Israel. This sacred text, both prophetic and poetic, pronounces specific blessings for each tribe, revealing their destinies and unique characteristics.

The Legacy of Moses

In this passage, we discover what legacy Moses leaves to each tribe. The chapter opens and closes with praise for the greatness and love of God for His people. Deuteronomy 33 illustrates the diversity and unity of God's people, all under divine blessing.

Tribal Blessing Themes

We invite you to consider five biblical passages that resonate with the tribal blessing themes present in this essential chapter.

1. Genesis 49:28

"These are the twelve tribes of Israel, and this is what the father spoke to them when he blessed them, giving each one the appropriate blessing." This passage draws a parallel with Moses' blessing of the tribes in Deuteronomy 33.

2. Psalms 68:17

"The chariots of God are tens of thousands, thousands of thousands; the Lord came from Sinai to his sanctuary." This verse echoes the language of Deuteronomy 33:2, which speaks of God coming from Sinai.

3. Luke 2:34

"Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, the mother of Jesus, 'This child is destined to be the fall and rise of many in Israel and to be a sign of contradiction.'" Simeon's blessing is part of the tradition of prophetic blessings, like that of Moses.

4. Hebrews 7:7

"And there is no doubt that the inferior is blessed by the superior. » This principle is illustrated by Moses's blessing of the tribes in Deuteronomy 33.

5. Revelation 7:4-8

"Then I heard the number of those who were sealed: one hundred and forty-four thousand from all the tribes of Israel. » This passage lists the tribes of Israel, reflecting the blessing of Moses in Deuteronomy 33.

As we meditate on these passages, we are invited to recognize and appreciate the rich blessings God has reserved for His people, through the legacy of Moses and beyond.