CHAPTER XXXIII _Moses delivers a prophetical blessing to the children of_ _Israel_, 1. _The introduction_, 2-5. _Prophetic declarations concerning_ Reuben, 6; _concerning_ Judah, 7; _concerning_ Levi, 8-11; _concerning_ Benjamin, 12; _concerning_ Joseph, 13-17; _concerning_ Zebulun, 18, 19;... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:3. _YEA, HE LOVED THE PEOPLE_] This is the inference which Moses makes from those glorious appearances, that God truly loved the people; and that all his saints, קדשיו _kedoshaiv_, the people whom he had _consecrated_ to himself, were under his especial benediction; and that in... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:6. _LET REUBEN LIVE, AND NOT DIE_] Though his life and his blessings have been forfeited by his transgression with his father's concubine, Genesis 49:3-1; and in his rebellion with Korah, Numbers 16:1, c., let him not become extinct as a tribe in Israel. "It is very usual," say... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:7. _AND THIS_ IS THE BLESSING _OF JUDAH_] Though the word _blessing_ is not in the text, yet it may be implied from Deuteronomy 33:1; but probably the words, _he spake_, are those which should be supplied: _And this_ he spake _of Judah, Lord, hear the voice of_ _Judah_; that is,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:8. _OF LEVI HE SAID_] Concerning the _Urim_ and _Thummim_, Exodus 28:30, Exodus 28:30. _THY HOLY ONE_] Aaron primarily, who was anointed the high priest of God, and whose office was the most holy that man could be invested with. Therefore Aaron was called God's _holy one_, and... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:9. _WHO SAID UNTO HIS FATHER, C._] There are several difficulties in this and the following verses. Some think they are spoken of the tribe of Levi others, of all the tribes; others, of the Messiah, c. but several of the interpretations founded on these suppositions are too rec... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:10. _THEY SHALL TEACH JACOB, C._] This was the office of the _Levites_, to teach, by their significant service and typical ceremonies, the way of righteousness and truth to the children of Israel. And of their faithfulness in this respect God bears testimony by the prophet, "My... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:11. _BLESS, LORD, HIS SUBSTANCE_] The blessing of God to the tribe of Levi was peculiarly necessary, because they had no inheritance among the children of Israel, and lived more immediately than others upon the providence of GOD. Yet, as they lived by the offerings of the people... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:12. _OF BENJAMIN - THE BELOVED OF THE LORD_] Alluding to his being particularly beloved of his father Jacob, Genesis 49:27, c. _SHALL DWELL IN SAFETY BY HIM_] That is, by the Lord, whose temple, which is considered as his dwelling-place, was in the tribe of Benjamin, for a _par... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:13. _BLESSED _- BE _HIS LAND_] The whole of this passage certainly relates to the peculiar fertility of the soil in the portion that fell to this tribe which, the Jews say, yielded a greater abundance of all good things than any other part of the promised land. _THE PRECIOUS TH... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:14. _THE PRECIOUS FRUITS BROUGHT FORTH BY THE SUN_] All excellent and important productions of the earth, which come to perfection _once_ in the year. So _the precious things put forth by_ _the moon_ may imply those vegetables which require but about a month to bring them to per... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:15. _THE CHIEF THINGS OF THE ANCIENT MOUNTAINS_] ומראש הררי קדם _umerosh harerey kedem, and from the head_ or top _of the_ _ancient_ or eastern _mountains_, the _precious things_ or _productions_ being still understood. And this probably refers to the large trees, c., growing on... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:16. _THE GOOD WILL OF HIM THAT DWELT IN THE BUSH_] The _favour_ of him who appeared in the burning bush on Mount Sinai, who there, in his _good will _- mere love and compassion, took Israel to be his people; and who has preserved and will preserve, in tribulation and distress, a... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:17. _HIS GLORY_ IS LIKE _THE FIRSTLING OF HIS BULLOCK_] This similitude is very obscure. A bullock was the most excellent of animals among the Jews, not only because of its _acceptableness_ in _sacrifice_ to God, but because of its great _usefulness_ in agriculture. There is so... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:18. _REJOICE, ZEBULUN, IN THY GOING OUT_] That is, Thou shalt be very prosperous in thy coasting voyages; for this tribe's situation was favourable for traffic, having many _sea-ports_. Genesis 49:13. _AND, ISSACHAR, IN THY TENTS._] That is, as Zebulun should be prosperous in h... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:19. _THEY SHALL CALL THE PEOPLE UNTO THE MOUNTAIN_] By their traffic with the _Gentiles_ (for so I think עמים _ammim_ should be understood here) they shall be the instruments in God's hands of converting many to the true faith; so that instead of sacrificing to idols, they shoul... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:20. _BLESSED_ BE _HE THAT ENLARGETH GAD_] As deliverance out of distress is termed _enlarging_, (see Psalms 4:1), this may refer to God's deliverance of the tribe of Gad out of that distress mentioned Genesis 49:19, and to the enlargement obtained through means of Jephthah, Judg... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:21. _HE PROVIDED THE FIRST PART_] That is, he chose for himself a very excellent portion, viz., the land of _Sihon_ and _Og_, in which this tribe had requested to be settled by the _lawgiver_, viz., Moses, from whom they requested this portion, Numbers 32:1. _HE CAME WITH THE H... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:22. _DAN_ IS _A LION'S WHELP: HE SHALL LEAP FROM BASHAN._] The Jewish interpreters observe that Bashan was a place much frequented by _lions_, who issued thence into all parts to look for prey. By this probably Moses intended to point out the strength and prowess of this tribe,... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:23. _O NAPHTALI, SATISFIED WITH FAVOUR_] Though this may refer to the very great fertility of the country that fell to this tribe, yet certainly something more is intended. Scarcely any of the tribes was more particularly favoured by the wondrous mercy and kindness of God, than... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:24. LET _ASHER_ BE _BLESSED WITH CHILDREN_] Let him have a numerous posterity, continually increasing. _LET HIM BE ACCEPTABLE TO HIS BRETHREN_] May he be in perfect union and harmony with the other tribes. _LET HIM DIP HIS FOOT IN OIL._] Let him have a fertile soil, and an abu... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:25. _THY SHOES_ SHALL BE _IRON AND BRASS_] Some suppose this may refer to the iron and copper mines in their territory; but it is more likely that it relates to their warlike disposition, as we know that _greaves, boots, shoes_, c., of _iron, brass_, and _tin_, were used by anci... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:26. THERE IS _NONE LIKE UNTO THE GOD OF JESHURUN_] We have already seen the literal meaning of _Jeshurun_, Deuteronomy 32:15; but besides its literal meaning, it seems to be used as an expression of _particular affection_: hence Calmet understands it as a _diminutive_ of the wo... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:27. _THE ETERNAL GOD_] אלהי קדם _elohey kedem_, the _former_ God; HE who was of _old_. Not like the gods which were _lately_ come up. HE who ever was and ever will be; and HE who _was_, _is_, and _will be_ unchangeably holy, wise, just, and merciful. Genesis 21:33. _EVERLASTING... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:28. _ISRAEL THEN SHALL DWELL - ALONE_] This people shall not be _incorporated_ with any other people under heaven. A prophecy which continues to be fulfilled to the very letter. Every attempt to unite them with any other people has proved absolutely ineffectual. _THE FOUNTAIN O... [ Continue Reading ]
Verse Deuteronomy 33:29. _HAPPY_ ART _THOU, C._] אשרי _ashrey_. O the happiness of Israel! it is ineffable, inconceivable, because they are _a people saved by the Lord _- have such a salvation as it becomes the infinite perfections of God to bestow he is their _help _- their never-failing strength,... [ Continue Reading ]