Bible Commentaries
Deuteronomy 33

Verse 1

this. Moses' tenth (and last) address. See note on Deuteronomy 1:1 .

blessing. To be distinguished from the Song.

the man of God. First occurrence. See App-49 .

God. Hebrew. Elohim. App-4 .

children = sons.

Verse 2

The LORD = Jehovah. App-4 .

came. Hebrew. bo ', to come, or enter on business. Compare Habakkuk 3:3 .

rose up. Hebrew zarah, to break forth as light.

shined forth. Hebrew. yaph'a, to shine forth in glory.

came. Hebrew. 'athah, to come with speed. Compare maran-athah = the LORD cometh, 1 Corinthians 16:22 .

saints = holy ones, i.e. angels. Compare Psalms 68:17 . Acts 7:53 .Galatians 1:3 , Galatians 1:19 . Habakkuk 2:2 .Jude 1:14; Jude 1:14 And see note on Exodus 3:5 .

law. Hebrew. dath , an edict, or mandate. Imperial mandate.

Verse 3

loved. Hebrew "loveth". Chabab, used only here, and only of Jehovah's love to Israel.

hand . . . feet. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

they sat down. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part). App-6 . Put for teaching thus received.

shall receive = bore, or carried away.

Verse 4

congregation = assembly.

Verse 5

He = Jehovah, from Deuteronomy 33:2 . See the Structure, above.

Jeshurun. See note on Deuteronomy 32:15 .

were gathered together = gathered themselves together.

Verse 6

Reuben. For the order of the tribes see App-45 .

live, and not die. Figure of speech Pleonasm ( App-6 ) for emphasis, reversing Genesis 49:3 , Genesis 49:4 .

let not. The word "not" is rightly repeated from preceding clause, to supply the Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ).

men. Hebrew. methim. men as opposed to women and children.

Verse 7

Judah. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Part), App-6 , including Simeon; for their inheritance and blessing were one. Joshua 19:1 .Judges 1:3 .

be = become.

Verse 8

Thummim . . . TJrim. See note on Exodus 28:30 . Numbers 26:55 .

Thy holy one = Thy man (' i s h , App-14 .) of loving-kindness, or gracious One = the High Priest who was of the tribe of Levi. See note on Exodus 3:5 .

Verse 9

Nor knew. Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause), put for not caring for. App-6 .

children = sons. Written in Hebrew text "son", but read "sons".

word = sayings.

Verse 10

teach. This was the great work of the priests. Compare Leviticus 10:11 .Leviticus 17:9 , Leviticus 17:10 . Ezra 7:10 . Jeremiah 18:18 . Haggai 2:11 .Malachi 2:7 .

before Thee = to Thy nose. Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 12

And of. This "and" is contained in some codices, with Samaritan Pentateuch, Septuagint, and Syriac.

by Him. Samaritan Pentateuch and Septuagint omit "by Him".

Verse 13

Blessed. Compare Genesis 49:25 .

and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton in verses: Deuteronomy 33:14-18 . App-6 .

Verse 14

moon. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct) for months. App-6 .

Verse 15

ancient mountains = mountains of old. Compare Deuteronomy 33:27 .

Verse 16

the bush. Compare Exodus 3:2 . The word occurs only in these two places.

separated. Compare Genesis 49:26 .

Verse 17

horns. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for Ephraim and Manasseh.

unicorns. See note on Numbers 23:22 .

people = peoples.

earth , or land.

Verse 19

treasures hid in the sand = hidden treasures of the sand: amber, agate, jet, pearls, glass, &c.

Verse 20

with = likewise, or, yea.

Verse 21

in. Omit.

was he seated = was reserved.

Verse 22

Dan. Compare Genesis 49:16-18 .

Verse 23

Naphtali. Compare Genesis 49:21 , and Joshua 19:32-39 .

Verse 24

Asher. Compare Genesis 49:20 .

dip his foot in oil. Oil found there when water failed. See 1 Kings 17:9 , and compare Joshua 19:24-28 .

Verse 25

shoes = under thy shoes, as Authorized Version margin, i.e. above the ground, olives and oil; beneath, iron and copper. Refers to rich ores.

as thy days = as the length of thy days (not "day", as often quoted).

strength = sufficiency, or security, as in a fold.

Verse 26

none like. See note on Exodus 15:11 .

GOD. Hebrew. 'El. See App-4 .

Jeshurun = Upright, i.e. the ideal Israel (Compare Deuteronomy 33:29 ) as the "upright" nation, possessing all these laws. See note on first occurrence, Deuteronomy 32:15 .

rideth. Compare Psalms 68:4 , Psalms 68:33 .

Verse 27

refuge = abode. Psalms 90:1 ; Psalms 91:9 . Or, "Above is the everlasting God And beneath are His everlasting arms. "

arms. Put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Subject), App-6 , for the strength which is in them. Also Figure of speech Anthropopatheia. App-6 .

Verse 28

Israel. . . Jacob. The name of a man put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause) for his posterity. App-6 . Note the name, "Israel" connected with Divine safety, and "Jacob" with earthly substance.

dwell. . . alone. Compare Numbers 23:9 . Jeremiah 23:6 .

fountain , or eye . . . [shall look] upon.

wine. See App-27 . Hebrew. tirosh.

Verse 29

O Israel. The ideal nation, viewed as Jeshurun the upright. See note on Deuteronomy 32:15 .

saved by the LORD. This their greatest glory.

shall be found liars = shall submit themselves. Compare 2 Samuel 22:45 .Psalms 66:3 .

high places. The end of Moses' tenth (and last) address. See note on Deuteronomy 1:1 . This chapter is editorial and historical. Always part of the Pentateuch. Probably by Joshua, Samuel, o

r School of the Prophets. See App-47 .