Deuteronomy 33:17 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:12-17

Here is, I. The blessing of Benjamin, Deut. 33:12. Benjamin is put next to Levi, because the temple, where the priests? work lay, was just upon the edge of the lot of this tribe; and it is put before Joseph because of the dignity of Jerusalem (part of which was in this tribe) above Samaria, which was in the tribe of Ephraim, and because Benjamin adhered to the house of David, and to the temple of the Lord, when the rest of the tribes deserted both with Jeroboam. 1. Benjamin is here called the... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:17

His glory is like the firstling of his bullock ,.... Such as were in Bashan, a country possessed by the posterity of Joseph, see Psalm 22:12 ; and so might be called "his" bullock, or a young bull, was reckoned both comely and majestic; so Menis or Mnevis, king of Egypt, preferred a bull above all animals to be worshipped, because the most beautiful of all, as Aelianus F23 Hist. Animal. l. 11. c. 10. relates; and Astarte, according to Sanchoniatho F24 Apud Euseb. Evangel.... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 33:17

His glory is like the firstling of his bullock - This similitude is very obscure. A bullock was the most excellent of animals among the Jews, not only because of its acceptableness in sacrifice to God, but because of its great usefulness in agriculture. There is something peculiarly noble and dignified in the appearance of the ox, and his greatest ornament are his fine horns; these the inspired penman has particularly in view, as the following clause proves; and it is well known that in... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 33:17

Verse 17 17His glory is like the firstling. Translators obscure the meaning by translating the word firstling in the nominative case. I have no doubt, however, but that he compares the glory of Joseph to the size of a very fine bullock, as if He had said, “His beauty is as of the most choice bullocks in his herds.” At least it is very consistent that the word firstling should be used for pre-eminent. He says, then, that no more magnificent or glorious bullocks should be found in the land of... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:6-25

Blessings on the tribes individually . With these may be compared the blessing which Jacob pronounced on his sons as representing the tribes of which they were the heads. The two resemble each other in many points; the differences are such as naturally arose from the different relations of the speakers to the objects of their address, and the changes in the condition and prospects of the tribes which during the lapse of centuries had come to pass. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:6-25

Watchwords for the tribes. The blessings authoritatively pronounced by these old worthies amounted to watchwords for their future development. They were divinely suggested ideas regarding their future courses. We shall look at the ideals thus presented in their order. I. THE UNOSTENTATIOUS DEVELOPMENT OF REUBEN . Deposed from the primacy among the brethren, because of his self-indulgence, he is to content himself with pastoral progress amid the mountains of Moab. The blessing... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:12-17

Benjamin and Joseph. The name given to one of these sons of Rachel ( Deuteronomy 33:12 ) would apply to both—"Beloved of the Lord." I. WHOM GOD CHOOSES TO PRESERVE NO FOE CAN INJURE . Benjamin would dwell in safety as between the shoulders of Jehovah ( Deuteronomy 33:12 ). The Lord would cover him all the day long. This is true of every good man. No power can separate him from God's love. No enemy can reach him to harm him ( Psalms 121:1-8 .). Christ's sheep are... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:13-17

The blessing on Joseph by Moses closely resembles that pronounced by Jacob on his favorite son; he solicits for him the utmost abundance of temporal blessing, and the riches of the Divine favor. There is this difference, however, between the two blessings, that in that of the patriarch it is the growth of the tribe in power and might that is chiefly contemplated; whilst in that of Moses it is the advance of the tribe in wealth, prosperity, and influence that is chiefly indicated. "Jacob... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:13-17

The blessing of Joseph; or, God's favor the mercy of mercies. We may see here a reflection of Jacob's blessing, both as in Genesis 48:19 and also Genesis 49:25 , et seq . In Dean Stanley's 'Sinai and Palestine,' pp. 226-250, there is much interesting information as to the correspondence between this prophecy of Moses on the one hand, and the extent of territory, the beauty and fertility of the district, the dignity, valor, and advance of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh on the... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:12-17

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:17

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 33:17

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 33:17

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:1-29

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:6-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:6-25

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:12-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:13-17

The Pulpit Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:13-17

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