deuteronomy-33:17-nlt

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:13-17

Royal donations on Joseph. It is instructive to observe with what loving ardor Moses speaks of Joseph. No sooner does he mention this name than his tongue, the ready servant of his heart, gives vent to a flood of eloquence. No good is too great to predict for Joseph. No benediction is too costly for him. The finest imagery that his fancy can invent is employed to foreshadow his greatness. The imagination of the dying saint fondly revels in the prospect of Joseph's prosperity and power.... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - Deuteronomy 33:13-17

Comparing the words of Moses with those of Jacob, it will be seen that the patriarch dwells with emphasis on the severe conflicts which Joseph, i. e., Ephraim and Manasseh, would undergo (compare Genesis 49:23-24); while the lawgiver seems to look beyond, and to behold the two triumphant and established in their power.Deuteronomy 33:17Rather: “The first-born of his” (i. e. Joseph’s) “bullock is his glory”: the reference being to Ephraim, who was raised by Jacob to the honors of the firstborn... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - Deuteronomy 33:17

Deuteronomy 33:17. His glory is like the firstling of his bullock Or the prime and fairest bullock of the herd. For things that excel in their kind are called firstborn in Scripture. The beauty and strength of this tribe are compared to this stately creature, and a bullock being the best emblem of power among the beasts of the pasture, it seems to be here used to denote the superior honour and dignity of the house of Joseph above the rest of the tribes of Israel. Indeed, a bullock, as... 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

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - Deuteronomy 33:17

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. read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - Deuteronomy 33:13-17

Ver. 13-17. And of Joseph he said, &c.— Whether we consider Joseph with respect to his situation in the land of Canaan, or to the eminent dignity by which his descendants were distinguished, he is here in his proper rank. Moses, in blessing him, copies after Jacob: he promises him the choicest things which the heavens or the deep had in store; the most precious produce of the earth, whether annual or monthly; whatever the hills or vales could boast of; and, in short, the greater profusion... 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 33:17

(17) They are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.—Rashi refers this to the ten thousands slain by Joshua, the Ephraimite leader, and the thousands slain by Gideon, who was of the tribe of Manasseh. He expounds nearly the whole of the verse in reference to Joshua and the conquest of Canaan. There is an obvious similarity in the song of the Israelitish women after the defeat of the Philistines, “Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.” The... read more