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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:22-25

Here is, I. The blessing of Dan, Deut. 33:22. Jacob in his blessing had compared him to a serpent for subtlety; Moses compares him to a lion for courage and resolution: and what could stand before those that had the head of a serpent and the heart of a lion? He is compared to the lions that leaped from Bashan, a mountain noted for fierce lions, whence they came down to leap upon their prey in the plains. This may refer either, 1. To the particular victories obtained by Samson (who was of this... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:26-29

These are the last words of all that ever Moses, that great writer, that great dictator, either wrote himself or had written from his dictation; they are therefore very remarkable, and no doubt we shall find them very improving. Moses, the man of God (who had as much reason as ever any mere man had to know both), with his last breath magnifies both the God of Israel and the Israel of God. They are both incomparable in his eye; and we are sure that in this his judgment of both his eye did not... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:25

Thy shoes shall be iron and brass ,.... Either they should have such an abundance of these metals, that they could if they would have made their shoes of them; but that is not usual; though it is said of Empedocles F7 Laert. in Vit. Empedocl. l. 8. p. 613. Aelian. Var. Hist. l. 12. c. 32. the philosopher, that he wore shoes of brass, which was very singular; and some think that this tribe, because of the abundance of these metals, used to stick their shoes with iron and brass nails... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:26

There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun ,.... Or Israel, as all the three Targums; for this is one of the names of the people of Israel; See Gill on Deuteronomy 32:15 ; and the Lord was their God in a special sense, having chosen, redeemed them, and made a covenant with them; and there is no God like him for the perfections of his nature, his purity and holiness, his goodness, wisdom, power, faithfulness, &c.; and for the wonderful works of nature, providence, and grace, done by... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:27

The eternal God is thy refuge ,.... God is eternal, from everlasting to everlasting; the Ancient of days, before all things, and all time; which is, and was, and is to come: the same is true of Christ, who is the everlasting Father, or Father of eternity, the true God, and eternal life; as appears from his nature, having the whole fulness, all the perfections of deity in him; from his office, as Mediator, in which he was set up from everlasting; from his concern in eternal election, in the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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, etc., of iron, brass, and tin, were used by ancient warriors. Goliath had greaves of brass on his legs, 1 Samuel 17:6 ; and the brazen-booted Greeks, χαλκοκνημιδες Αχαιοι , is one of the epithets given by Homer to his heroes; see Iliad. lib. viii., ver. 41. And as thy... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 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 word Israel. We know that τεκνοι , sons, in the mouth of St. John, signifies much less than τεκνια , which, properly translated, would be beloved children, a term which at once shows the helplessness of the offspring, and... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 33:27

The eternal God - קדם אלהי 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. See the note on Genesis 21:33 . Everlasting arms - As the arm is the emblem of power, and of power in a state of exertion, the words here state that an unlimited and unconquerable power shall be eternally exerted in the defense of God's Church, and in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 33:26

Verse 26 26.There is none like unto the God. Moses proceeds from the parts to the whole, and now comes to speak of the whole body, which consisted of the twelve families. All that he says tends to the same end, viz., that the people of Israel were happy as being taken by God under this faithful guardianship: for nothing is more to be desired with regard to our best interests, than that our welfare should be intrusted to the hand of God. But, since this inestimable blessing of being protected by... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 33:27

Verse 27 27.The eternal God is thy refuge. This is just as if he had said that the Israelites were protected from above by the help of God, and also based, as it were, upon Him. The beginning of the prayer corresponds with that other in Psalms 90:1, “Lord, thou hast been our dwelling-place in all generations.” The sum is, that although the Israelites might be exposed to many injuries, still there was secure repose for them under the shadow of God’s wings; and assuredly unless the hand of God... read more

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