Deuteronomy 33:1-29 NIV

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

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:6-7

Here is, I. The blessing of Reuben. Though Reuben had lost the honour of his birthright, yet Moses begins with him; for we should not insult over those that are disgraced, nor desire to perpetuate marks of infamy upon any, though ever so justly fastened at first, Deut. 33:6. Moses desires and foretels, 1. The preserving of this tribe. Though a frontier tribe on the other side Jordan, yet, ?Let it live, and not be either ruined by its neighbours or lost among them.? And perhaps he refers to... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:8-11

In blessing the tribe of Levi, Moses expresses himself more at large, not so much because it was his own tribe (for he takes no notice of his relation to it) as because it was God's tribe. The blessing of Levi has reference. I. To the high priest, here called God's holy one (Deut. 33:8), because his office was holy, in token of which, Holiness to the Lord was written upon his forehead. 1. He seems to acknowledge that God might justly have displaced Aaron and his seed, for his sin at Meribah,... read more

Matthew Henry

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

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

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 33:1

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

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:2

And he said ,.... What follows, of which, in some things, he was an eye and ear witness, and in others was inspired by the Spirit of God, to deliver his mind and will concerning the future case and state of the several tribes, after he had observed the common benefit and blessing they all enjoyed, by having such a law given them in the manner it was: the Lord came from Sinai ; there he first appeared to Moses, and sent him to Egypt, and wrought miracles by him, and delivered his people... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:3

Yea, he loved the people ,.... The people of Israel, of which his giving the law to them in such a glorious manner was an instance, and was a distinguishing blessing which other nations were not favoured with, see Deuteronomy 4:6 ; how much more is the love of God shown to his spiritual Israel and special people, by giving them his Gospel, the precious truths, promises, and ordinances of it, and, above all, in giving them his Son to be the Redeemer and Saviour of them, as revealed therein!... read more

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

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:6-7

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:8-11

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

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

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

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

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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:3

Group of Brands