Deuteronomy 33:1

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:1-5

The Deut. 33:1 is the title of the chapter: it is a blessing. In the foregoing chapter he had thundered out the terrors of the Lord against Israel for their sin; it was a chapter like Ezekiel's roll, full of lamentation, and mourning, and woe. Now to soften that, and that he might not seem to part in anger, he here subjoins a blessing, and leaves his peace, which should descend and rest upon all those among them that were the sons of peace. Thus Christ's last work on earth was to bless his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:1

And this is the blessing wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. Namely, what is related in the following verses, this being the general title to the chapter: Moses is called "the man of God", being raised up of God, and eminently qualified by him with girls for the work he was called unto, and by whom he was inspired to say what is after expressed: it is a title given to prophets, 1 Samuel 9:6 ; and so Onkelos here paraphrases it,"Moses the prophet... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 33:1

And this is the blessing wherewith Moses, the man of God, blessed the children of Israel before his death - And he said Deuteronomy 33:2 . Jehovah came from Sinai, And he arose upon them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, And he came from Meribah-kadesh: From his right hand a fire shone forth upon them. read more

John Calvin

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

Verse 1 1.And this is the blessing. The bitterness of the Song was seasoned, (304) as it were, by this palliative, wherein Moses left a testimony with respect to God’s future and perpetual grace, as if depositing an inestimable treasure in the hands of the people. For, as God, after the deliverance of His people, and the giving of the Law, renewed the covenant which Jacob had testified of and proclaimed, so Moses was, as it were, their second father, to ratify anew its blessings, lest the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:1

Moses the man of God. This appellation is applied to Moses only here and in Joshua 14:6 and the heading of Psalms 90:1-17 . The phrase, " man of God ," indicates one favored with Divine communications, and employed as God's messenger to men (cf. 1 Samuel 9:6 ; 1 Kings 12:22 ). In this heading, the author of the blessing is clearly distinguished from the person by whom it was inserted in this place. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:1-5

Introduction . The blessing opens with an allusion to the making of the covenant and the giving of the Law at Sinai, when the Lord revealed himself in glory and majesty as the King of Israel, in order at the outset to fix the minds of the people on the source whence alone blessing could come to them. God's love to Israel is celebrated, and the intention and end of his choice and elevation of Israel to be his people is declared. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:1-5

The general import of this paragraph is clear. Some of its phrases, however, are far from being so easy that we can be quite sure of their meaning. (For a discussion of the points in dispute, see the Exposition; also Keil, Lange, and a work far too little known, Barrett's 'Synopsis of Criticisms,' vol. 1. pt. 2.) There is, however, quite enough that is sufficiently clear to furnish us with a topic for valuable pulpit teaching, albeit there may be, in this introductory paragraph and between... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:1-5

The King and his viceroy. Moses, having received the direction about his death, proceeds next to formally bless the tribes. We have in these verses the introduction to the blessing. It brings under our notice the Great King himself, and the minor king, Moses, the viceroy. As the parting blessing of him whom God had made "king in Jeshurun," it has more weight and significance than anything which ever came out of the lips of kings. Even David's dying words are not so sublime as these of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:1-5

The Godlike act of blessing. Moses is finely described as "the man of God." Among his contemporaries there was no man who bore so much of the Divine image. In character, in office, in deed, he was eminently Godlike. As his earthly life drew to a close, the real man came more fully into view. Death is a clever unveiler of a man—it strips off shams and masks, it discovers the reality. Like his great Antitype, Moses forgets himself in the crisis of death, and concerns himself about others. As... 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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