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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:18-21

Here we have, I. The blessings of Zebulun and Issachar put together, for they were both the sons of Jacob by Leah, and by their lot in Canaan they were neighbours; it is foretold, 1. That they should both have a comfortable settlement and employment, Deut. 33:18. Zebulun must rejoice, for he shall have cause to rejoice; and Moses prays that he may have cause in his going out, either to war (for Zebulun jeoparded their lives in the high places of the field, Jdg. 5:18), or rather to sea, for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:18

And of Zebulun he said ,.... The tribe of Zebulun, as the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem, with whom Issachar is joined, they being brethren, and of the same mother as well as father; though Zebulun the youngest is set before Issachar the older, as in Jacob's blessing, Genesis 49:13 , rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out ; in their going out to sea, to merchandise, to traffic in foreign parts, it being a maritime tribe, see Genesis 49:13 ; and so are called upon to rejoice and be... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:19

They shall call the people unto the mountain ,.... To the mountain of the house of the sanctuary, as all the three Targums; to the temple built on a mountain, which Moses by a spirit of prophecy foresaw would be, to which the tribes of Zebulun and Issachar would not only come up themselves, though at the more distant parts of the land; but call and urge others, both Israelites and Gentiles, to do the same, partly by their example, and partly by persuasions and arguments; not the tribes of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:20

And of Gad he said ,.... The tribe of Gad, as the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem: blessed be he that enlargeth Gad ; that is, the Lord, to whom the praise and glory were to be given, who had appointed to Gad a large inheritance on the other side Jordan, and had settled him in it, and which became larger by the conquest of the Hagarites, and others, 1 Chronicles 5:18 , he dwelleth as a lion ; bold and courageous, secure, and without fear of any of his enemies, though near him,... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 favorable for traffic, having many sea-ports. See Genesis 49:13 ; (note). And, Issachar, in thy tents - That is, as Zebulun should be prosperous in his shipping and traffic, so should Issachar be in his tents - his agriculture and pasturage. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 should offer sacrifices of righteousness. They shall suck of the abundance of the seas - That is, grow wealthy by merchandise. And of treasures hid in the sand - Jonathan ben Uzziel has probably hit upon the true... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 33:20

Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad - As deliverance out of distress is termed enlarging, (see Psalm 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, Judges 11:33 , and probably also to the victories obtained by Gad and Reuben over the Hagarites, 1 Chronicles 5:18-20 . He dwelleth as a lion - Probably the epithet of lion or lion-like was applied to this tribe from... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 33:18

Verse 18 18.And of Zebulun he said. He compares two tribes with each other, which, although neighbors in position, were still very dissimilar; for the one being devoted to mercantile pursuits, went forth frequently in various directions; the other took more delight in quietude and repose; and this their great variety of condition is indicated, when he bids Zebulun rejoice in its expeditions, and Issachar in its domestic repose. Moses thus confirms the prophecy of Jacob, who said that Zebulun... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 33:20

Verse 20 20.And of Gad he said. In the blessing of the tribe of Gad, mention is only made of the hereditary portion, which it had obtained without casting of lots. He therefore celebrates the blessing of God, because He had accorded to the Gadites an ample dwelling-place; for the word “enlargeth” refers to the extent of their possession. But inasmuch as in that extremity of the land beyond Jordan, they were on a hostile border, he declares that they would be warlike, and hence compares them to... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:1-29

EXPOSITION The blessing consists of a series of benedictions on the several tribes ( Deuteronomy 33:6-25 ), preceded by an introduction ( Deuteronomy 33:1-5 ), and followed by a conclusion ( Deuteronomy 33:26-29 ). read more

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