Paths in Biblical Studies

Book of Deuteronomy · Chapter 33 of 34

Deuteronomy 33: Verse-by-Verse Commentary (with Videos)

29 verses · 4 video commentaries from 3 courses · Berean Standard Bible

1This is the blessing that Moses the man of God pronounced upon the Israelites before his death.

2He said: “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned upon us from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran and came with myriads of holy ones, with flaming fire at His right hand.

3Surely You love the people; all the holy ones are in Your hand, and they sit down at Your feet; each receives Your words—

4the law that Moses gave us, the possession of the assembly of Jacob.

5So the LORD became King in Jeshurun when the leaders of the people gathered, when the tribes of Israel came together.

6Let Reuben live and not die, nor his men be few.”

7And concerning Judah he said: “O LORD, hear the cry of Judah and bring him to his people. With his own hands he defends his cause, but may You be a help against his foes.”

8Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah.

9He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant.

10He will teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your law to Israel; he will set incense before You and whole burnt offerings on Your altar.

11Bless his substance, O LORD, and accept the work of his hands. Smash the loins of those who rise against him, and of his foes so they can rise no more.”

12Concerning Benjamin he said: “May the beloved of the LORD rest secure in Him; God shields him all day long, and upon His shoulders he rests.”

13Concerning Joseph he said: “May his land be blessed by the LORD with the precious dew from heaven above and the deep waters that lie beneath,

14with the bountiful harvest from the sun and the abundant yield of the seasons,

15with the best of the ancient mountains and the bounty of the everlasting hills,

16with the choice gifts of the land and everything in it, and with the favor of Him who dwelt in the burning bush. May these rest on the head of Joseph and crown the brow of the prince of his brothers.

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

18Concerning Zebulun he said: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your journeys, and Issachar, in your tents.

19They will call the peoples to a mountain; there they will offer sacrifices of righteousness. For they will feast on the abundance of the seas and the hidden treasures of the sand.”

20Concerning Gad he said: “Blessed is he who enlarges the domain of Gad! He lies down like a lion and tears off an arm or a head.

21He chose the best land for himself, because a ruler’s portion was reserved for him there. He came with the leaders of the people; he administered the LORD’s justice and His ordinances for Israel.”

22Concerning Dan he said: “Dan is a lion’s cub, leaping out of Bashan.”

23Concerning Naphtali he said: “Naphtali is abounding with favor, full of the blessing of the LORD; he shall take possession of the sea and the south.”

24And concerning Asher he said: “May Asher be the most blessed of sons; may he be the most favored among his brothers and dip his foot in oil.

25May the bolts of your gate be iron and bronze, and may your strength match your days.”

26“There is none like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to your aid, and the clouds in His majesty.

27The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He drives out the enemy before you, giving the command, ‘Destroy him!’

28So Israel dwells securely; the fountain of Jacob lives untroubled in a land of grain and new wine, where even the heavens drip with dew.

29Blessed are you, O Israel! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD? He is the shield that protects you, the sword in which you boast. Your enemies will cower before you, and you shall trample their high places.”

Deuteronomy 33 Verse Notes

Deut 33:2

Asherah in Deuteronomy 33:2

Deuteronomy 33:2, describing Yahweh marching from Sinai with 'holy ones' and 'esdat' at his right hand, might contain an obscured reference to Asherah. The word 'esdat,' traditionally translated as 'fiery law,' could be a scribal confusion of Hebrew letters, potentially originally reading 'ash,' an early spelling of Asherah's name. This suggests a favorable, early association of Asherah with Yahweh.

Summarized by AI · The Israelite Goddess Asherah · The Israelite Goddess Asherah · watch the clip

Yahweh's Origin from the South

Some biblical passages suggest Yahweh originated from the South, outside of Canaan. This aligns with the theory that a group from Egypt, associated with Moses and the worship of Yahweh, introduced this deity to early Israelites already living in Canaan. This amalgamation of traditions led to Yahweh being identified with the ancestral God of the Canaanite inhabitants.

Summarized by AI · The Hebrew Bible: Exploring the Literature of Ancient Israel · Lecture 7: The Exodus, or Not · watch the clip

Yahweh's geographical origins

The origins of Yahweh are mysterious, as the deity is not mentioned in Canaanite or other ancient Near Eastern pantheons before appearing in Israelite tradition. Biblical passages, particularly those related to the Sinai tradition and other references to Yahweh coming from the south, suggest that the worship of Yahweh may have originated in the desert regions south of Israel, such as Sinai or the Negev. This speculative theory could explain traditions about Israel encountering Yahweh for the first time in the desert.

Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · God’s Real Name Isn’t in Your Bible · watch the clip

Deut 33:17

KJV's Obscure Vocabulary

The King James Version uses many words that are no longer in common English usage, making it difficult for modern readers to understand. Examples include 'almug,' 'cracknels,' 'habergeon,' and 'wimples.' Additionally, it mentions animals like 'unicorn,' 'satyr,' 'dragon,' and 'cockatrice,' which either do not exist or are mythological, painting a semi-mythological picture for contemporary audiences.

Summarized by AI · Bart D. Ehrman · YouTube · The KJV is a Literary Masterpiece, And a Disaster Study Bible · watch the clip

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