Deutéronome 33:11 BDS

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:8-11

The priestly tribe. The abuse of the priestly office has brought the name of priest into contempt. Best things, when corrupt, become the worst. Sour milk and rotten grapes and stained snow are things most obnoxious. Yet a true priest is the noblest form of man—the greatest benefactor of his species. A pompous, bedizened, arrogant ecclesiastic, is not a true priest. God's priest is meek, self-forgetful, saintly, Christlike. I. PURITY AND CONSECRATION ARE THE ESSENTIAL ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 33:11

Smite through the loins - Rather, strike the loins, i. e., the seat of their strength. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 33:11

Deuteronomy 33:11. Bless, Lord, his substance Because he hath no inheritance of his own, and therefore wholly depends upon thy blessing. The work of his hands All his holy administrations, which he fitly calls the work of his hands, because a great part of the service of the Levites and priests was done by the labour of their hand and body, whereas the service of evangelical ministers is more spiritual and heavenly. Smite He prays thus earnestly for them, because he foresaw they who... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:1-29

The blessing of Moses (32:48-33:29)As God had announced earlier, the time for Moses to die had come (48-52; see Numbers 27:12-14). The prophetic blessings that he gave Israel before he died foresaw the favours that God would give the various tribes. But first Moses recalled the giving of the law at Sinai. God appeared in flaming majesty, bursting forth in glory brighter than the rising sun. Accompanying him were multitudes of heavenly servants who carry out God’s purposes in the lives of... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Deuteronomy 33:8-11

Ver. 8-11. And of Levi he said— Moses, having finished that part of his prayer which related to Judah, enters rapidly on a new subject, and offers his petitions in behalf of his own tribe. He begins by entreating the Almighty that the sacerdotal office might continue in this tribe, in which he had been pleased to appoint it, notwithstanding that they, together with the rest of Israel, had twice very remarkably displeased him through their disobedience and want of faith. But, as they had... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Deuteronomy 33:1-29

D. Moses’ blessing of the tribes ch. 33After receiving this announcement of his death, and as one of his final official acts as Israel’s leader, Moses pronounced a prophetic blessing on the tribes of Israel (cf. Jacob’s blessing of the tribes in Genesis 49)."In the ancient Near East, a dying father’s final blessings spoken to his sons were an irrevocable legal testament, accepted as decisive evidence in court disputes. In the case of the Biblical patriarchs, the authority and potency of their... read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - Deuteronomy 33:6-25

The arrangement of the tribes in this blessing is unusual. Kalland provided a chart of six lists of the tribes that appear in Genesis, Numbers, Deuteronomy, and Joshua, each of which contains a different order. [Note: Kalland, p. 222.] Evidently God based this list on a combination of the past and future histories of each tribe.Reuben (Deuteronomy 33:6) was the first-born but did not enjoy greatness among the tribes because of his sin. He lost his father’s birthright and blessing.Judah... read more

John Dummelow

John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 33:1-29

The Blessing of MosesThis chapter contains the last words or ’swan-song’ of Moses. Immediately before his death he takes farewell of the people, and blesses each of the tribes in turn, as Jacob had done on his deathbed: see Genesis 49. The two blessings should be compared; see also on Deuteronomy 33:4.2-5. Introduction, describing the majestic appearance of Jehovah to His chosen people.2. Cp. Judges 5:4; Habakkuk 3:3. Seir] Edom (see on Numbers 20:22-29). Mount Paran] the S. boundary of Canaan.... read more

Charles John Ellicott

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers - Deuteronomy 33:11

(11) Bless, Lord, his substance.—This petition is consistent with the enactment that Levi should have no land. But a blessing on his substance means a blessing to the whole land of Israel. Levi’s substance Was Israel’s tithe.Accept the work of his hands.—The chief “work of his hands” was mediatorial for all Israel. The “acceptance” of this work was essential to the welfare of the whole race.Smite through the loins of them that rise against him.—Rashi refers to the great war begun by the... read more

William Nicoll

Expositor's Dictionary of Texts - Deuteronomy 33:1-29

The Law of Antagonism Deuteronomy 33:2-3 At first sight the text might seem to involve a contradiction, but closer consideration will show that it expresses a great truth, viz. that the severity of human life is an expression of the Divine goodness. I. Consider the truth of the text as it finds expression in Nature. Nature is imperative, uncompromising, terrible. A lofty and unyielding commandment is written over all things, and behind the fiery law is a right hand capable of enforcing it to... read more