Deuteronomy 33:13-17

13 About Joseph he said: “May the LORD bless his land with the precious dew from heaven above and with the deep waters that lie below;

14 with the best the sun brings forth and the finest the moon can yield;

15 with the choicest gifts of the ancient mountains and the fruitfulness of the everlasting hills;

16 with the best gifts of the earth and its fullness and the favor of him who dwelt in the burning bush. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among^[a] his brothers.

17 In majesty he is like a firstborn bull; his horns are the horns of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even those at the ends of the earth. Such are the ten thousands of Ephraim; such are the thousands of Manasseh.”

Deuteronomy 33:13-17 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.

Cross References

• 1. S Genesis 30:24; Genesis 49:25
• 2. Genesis 27:28; Psalms 148:7
• 3. Habakkuk 3:6
• 4. S Exodus 3:2
• 5. S Genesis 37:8
• 6. 1 Samuel 2:10; 2 Samuel 22:3; Ezekiel 34:21
• 7. S Numbers 23:22
• 8. 1 Kings 22:11; Psalms 44:5
• 9. S Genesis 41:52
• 10. S Genesis 41:51

Footnotes

• [a]. Or "of the one separated from"