Deuteronomy 33:2
New International Version
He said: “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned over them from Seir; he shone forth from Mount Paran. He came with myriads of holy ones from the south, from his mountain slopes.

New Living Translation
“The LORD came from Mount Sinai and dawned upon us from Mount Seir; he shone forth from Mount Paran and came from Meribah-kadesh with flaming fire at his right hand.

English Standard Version
He said, “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned from Seir upon us; he shone forth from Mount Paran; he came from the ten thousands of holy ones, with flaming fire at his right hand.

Berean Standard Bible
He said: “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned upon us from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran and came with myriads of holy ones, with flaming fire at His right hand.

King James Bible
And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.

New King James Version
And he said: “The LORD came from Sinai, And dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, And He came with ten thousands of saints; From His right hand Came a fiery law for them.

New American Standard Bible
He said, “The LORD came from Sinai, And dawned on them from Seir; He shone from Mount Paran, And He came from the midst of myriads of holy ones; At His right hand there was flashing lightning for them.

NASB 1995
He said, “The LORD came from Sinai, And dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, And He came from the midst of ten thousand holy ones; At His right hand there was flashing lightning for them.

NASB 1977
And he said, “The LORD came from Sinai, And dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, And He came from the midst of ten thousand holy ones; At His right hand there was flashing lightning for them.

Legacy Standard Bible
And he said, “Yahweh came from Sinai, And He dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, And He came from the midst of ten thousand holy ones; At His right hand there was flashing lightning for them.

Amplified Bible
He said, “The LORD came from Sinai, And dawned on them from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran, And He came from among ten thousand holy ones; At His right hand was a flaming fire, a law, for them.

Christian Standard Bible
He said: The LORD came from Sinai and appeared to them from Seir; he shone on them from Mount Paran and came with ten thousand holy ones, with lightning from his right hand for them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
He said: The LORD came from Sinai and appeared to them from Seir; He shone on them from Mount Paran and came with ten thousand holy ones, with lightning from His right hand for them.

American Standard Version
And he said, Jehovah came from Sinai, And rose from Seir unto them; He shined forth from mount Paran, And he came from the ten thousands of holy ones: At his right hand was a fiery law for them.

Contemporary English Version
The LORD came from Mount Sinai. From Edom, he gave light to his people, and his glory was shining from Mount Paran. Thousands of his warriors were with him, and fire was at his right hand.

English Revised Version
And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, And rose from Seir unto them; He shined forth from mount Paran, And he came from the ten thousands of holy ones: At his right hand was a fiery law unto them.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
He said, "The LORD came from Sinai. For his people he rose from Seir [like the sun]. He appeared like sunshine from Mount Paran. He came with tens of thousands of holy ones. On his right was a raging fire for them.

Good News Translation
The LORD came from Mount Sinai; he rose like the sun over Edom and shone on his people from Mount Paran. Ten thousand angels were with him, a flaming fire at his right hand.

International Standard Version
He said: "The LORD came from Sinai. Rising from Seir upon us, he shone forth from Mount Paran, accompanied by a myriad of his holy ones, with flaming fire from his right hand for them.

Majority Standard Bible
He said: ?The LORD came from Sinai and dawned upon us from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran and came with myriads of holy ones, with flaming fire at His right hand.

NET Bible
He said: A Historical Review The LORD came from Sinai and revealed himself to Israel from Seir. He appeared in splendor from Mount Paran, and came forth with ten thousand holy ones. With his right hand he gave a fiery law to them.

New Heart English Bible
He said, "The LORD came from Sinai, and dawned from Seir upon us. He shone forth from Mount Paran. He came from the ten thousands of holy ones. At his right hand was a fiery law for them.

Webster's Bible Translation
And he said, the LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir to them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.

World English Bible
He said, “Yahweh came from Sinai, and rose from Seir to them. He shone from Mount Paran. He came from the ten thousands of holy ones. At his right hand was a fiery law for them.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and he says: “YHWH has come from Sinai, "" And has risen from Seir for them; He has shone from Mount Paran, "" And has come [with] myriads of holy ones; At His right hand [came] a fiery law [[or a flaming fire]] for them.

Young's Literal Translation
and he saith: -- 'Jehovah from Sinai hath come, And hath risen from Seir for them; He hath shone from mount Paran, And hath come with myriads of holy ones; At His right hand are springs for them.

Smith's Literal Translation
And he will say, Jehovah came from mount Sinai, and he rose up from Seir to them; he shone forth from mount Peran, he came from ten thousand of Kadesh; from his right hand a fire of law for them.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And he said: The Lord came from Sinai, and from Seir he rose up to us: he hath appeared from mount Pharan, and with him thousands of saints. In his right hand a fiery law.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And he said: “The Lord went forth from Sinai, and he arose for us from Seir. He appeared from Mount Paran, and thousands of holy ones were with him. The fiery law was in his right hand.

New American Bible
He said: The LORD came from Sinai and dawned on his people from Seir; he shone forth from Mount Paran. With him were myriads of holy ones; at his right hand advanced the gods.

New Revised Standard Version
He said: The LORD came from Sinai, and dawned from Seir upon us; he shone forth from Mount Paran. With him were myriads of holy ones; at his right, a host of his own.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and shined upon us from Seir; he rose up from mount Paran; he came with ten thousands of saints at his right hand.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And he said: “LORD JEHOVAH came from Sinai and he shone to us from Seir and he was revealed from the Mountain of Paran, and his people from myriads of the Holy Ones at His right hand.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And he said: The LORD came from Sinai, And rose from Seir unto them; He shined forth from mount Paran, And He came from the myriads holy, At His right hand was a fiery law unto them.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And he said, The Lord is come from Sina, and has appeared from Seir to us, and has hasted out of the mount of Pharan, with the ten thousands of Cades; on his right hand were his angels with him.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Moses Blesses the Twelve Tribes
1This is the blessing that Moses the man of God pronounced upon the Israelites before his death. 2He said: “The LORD came from Sinai and dawned upon us from Seir; He shone forth from Mount Paran and came with myriads of holy ones, with flaming fire at His right hand. 3Surely You love the people; all the holy ones are in Your hand, and they sit down at Your feet; each receives Your words—…

Cross References
Exodus 19:18
Mount Sinai was completely enveloped in smoke, because the LORD had descended on it in fire. And the smoke rose like the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mountain quaked violently.

Habakkuk 3:3-4
God came from Teman, and the Holy One from Mount Paran. Selah His glory covered the heavens, and His praise filled the earth. / His radiance was like the sunlight; rays flashed from His hand, where His power is hidden.

Judges 5:4-5
O LORD, when You went out from Seir, when You marched from the land of Edom, the earth trembled, the heavens poured out rain, and the clouds poured down water. / The mountains quaked before the LORD, the One of Sinai, before the LORD, the God of Israel.

Psalm 68:7-8
O God, when You went out before Your people, when You marched through the wasteland, Selah / the earth shook and the heavens poured down rain before God, the One on Sinai, before God, the God of Israel.

Psalm 18:7-15
Then the earth shook and quaked, and the foundations of the mountains trembled; they were shaken because He burned with anger. / Smoke rose from His nostrils, and consuming fire came from His mouth; glowing coals blazed forth. / He parted the heavens and came down with dark clouds beneath His feet. ...

Isaiah 63:1
Who is this coming from Edom, from Bozrah with crimson-stained garments? Who is this robed in splendor, marching in the greatness of His strength? “It is I, proclaiming vindication, mighty to save.”

Psalm 50:2
From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth.

Psalm 29:3-9
The voice of the LORD is over the waters; the God of glory thunders; the LORD is heard over many waters. / The voice of the LORD is powerful; the voice of the LORD is majestic. / The voice of the LORD breaks the cedars; the LORD shatters the cedars of Lebanon. ...

Psalm 77:16-19
The waters saw You, O God; the waters saw You and swirled; even the depths were shaken. / The clouds poured down water; the skies resounded with thunder; Your arrows flashed back and forth. / Your thunder resounded in the whirlwind; the lightning lit up the world; the earth trembled and quaked. ...

Isaiah 64:1-3
If only You would rend the heavens and come down, so that mountains would quake at Your presence, / as fire kindles the brushwood and causes the water to boil, to make Your name known to Your enemies, so that the nations will tremble at Your presence! / When You did awesome works that we did not expect, You came down, and the mountains trembled at Your presence.

Acts 7:53
you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.”

Galatians 3:19
Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the seed to whom the promise referred. It was administered through angels by a mediator.

Hebrews 2:2
For if the message spoken by angels was binding, and every transgression and disobedience received its just punishment,

Revelation 1:14-16
The hair of His head was white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like a blazing fire. / His feet were like polished bronze refined in a furnace, and His voice was like the roar of many waters. / He held in His right hand seven stars, and a sharp double-edged sword came from His mouth. His face was like the sun shining at its brightest.

Revelation 19:11-16
Then I saw heaven standing open, and there before me was a white horse. And its rider is called Faithful and True. With righteousness He judges and wages war. / He has eyes like blazing fire, and many royal crowns on His head. He has a name written on Him that only He Himself knows. / He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and His name is The Word of God. ...


Treasury of Scripture

And he said, The LORD came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir to them; he shined forth from mount Paran, and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them.

came from Sinai

Exodus 19:18-20
And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because the LORD descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly…

Judges 5:4,5
LORD, when thou wentest out of Seir, when thou marchedst out of the field of Edom, the earth trembled, and the heavens dropped, the clouds also dropped water…

Habakkuk 3:3
God came from Teman, and the Holy One from mount Paran. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.

ten thousands

Psalm 68:7,17
O God, when thou wentest forth before thy people, when thou didst march through the wilderness; Selah: …

Daniel 7:9
I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire.

Acts 7:53
Who have received the law by the disposition of angels, and have not kept it.

a fiery law [heb] a fire of law

Deuteronomy 5:22
These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.

2 Corinthians 3:7,9
But if the ministration of death, written and engraven in stones, was glorious, so that the children of Israel could not stedfastly behold the face of Moses for the glory of his countenance; which glory was to be done away: …

Galatians 3:10
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Jump to Previous
Dawned Dawning Hand Holy Law Meribath Midst Mount Mountain Myriads Ones Paran Peoples Right Rose Saints Seir Se'ir Shined Shining Shone Sinai Slopes South Ten Thousand Thousands Waste Wrath
Jump to Next
Dawned Dawning Hand Holy Law Meribath Midst Mount Mountain Myriads Ones Paran Peoples Right Rose Saints Seir Se'ir Shined Shining Shone Sinai Slopes South Ten Thousand Thousands Waste Wrath
Deuteronomy 33
1. The majesty of God
6. The blessings of the twelve tribes
26. The excellence of Israel














He said
This phrase introduces the blessing of Moses, the man of God, upon the tribes of Israel. It sets the stage for a prophetic and poetic declaration. The Hebrew root for "said" is "אָמַר" (amar), which often conveys not just speaking but a declaration of divine truth or command. This emphasizes the authority and sacredness of the words that follow.

The LORD came from Sinai
The mention of "Sinai" immediately evokes the imagery of the giving of the Law, where God revealed Himself to Israel in a powerful and awe-inspiring manner. The Hebrew word for "came" is "בּוֹא" (bo), suggesting a purposeful arrival. Sinai is historically and theologically significant as the place where God established His covenant with Israel, marking a foundational moment in their identity as His chosen people.

and dawned over them from Seir
The imagery of "dawned" suggests a new beginning or revelation, akin to the rising sun bringing light. "Seir" refers to the mountainous region associated with Edom, Israel's neighbor. The Hebrew root "זָרַח" (zarach) for "dawned" conveys the idea of shining or breaking forth, symbolizing God's guidance and presence extending beyond Sinai, reaching out to His people wherever they are.

He shone forth from Mount Paran
"Paran" is another location in the wilderness, often associated with the journey of the Israelites. The phrase "shone forth" uses the Hebrew "יָפַע" (yapha), meaning to shine or radiate. This suggests God's glory and majesty being revealed to His people, reinforcing His role as their divine protector and guide throughout their wanderings.

and came with myriads of holy ones
The term "myriads" indicates an innumerable host, often interpreted as angels or divine beings accompanying God. The Hebrew "רִבְבָה" (ribbah) signifies a vast number, emphasizing the grandeur and majesty of God's heavenly entourage. "Holy ones" underscores the sanctity and purity of those who serve God, highlighting His supreme authority and the reverence due to Him.

with His right hand a fiery law for them
The "right hand" symbolizes power and authority in biblical literature. The Hebrew "יָמִין" (yamin) for "right hand" often denotes strength and favor. The "fiery law" suggests the intensity and purity of God's commandments, given to guide and purify His people. The Hebrew "אֵשׁ" (esh) for "fiery" conveys both literal fire and metaphorical passion or zeal, indicating the divine origin and transformative power of the Law.

(2)"And he said, Jehovah came from Sinai,

And dawned upon them from Seir;

He shone forth from mount Paran.

And there came from the ten thousands of holiness,

From His right hand, a fire of law [10] for them."

[10] On this expression see an additional note at the end of the book.

The appearance of God on Sinai is described as a sunrise. His light rose from Sinai, and the tops of the hills of Seir caught its rays. The full blaze of light shone on Paran. (Comp. Psalm 1:2 : "Out of Zion, the perfection of beauty, God hath shined.") He came with ten thousands of saints is a mere mistranslation. The preposition is "from," not "with." If the verb "he came," in the fourth line, is taken to refer to God, we must translate: "He came from ten thousands of saints" (to sinful men). Rashi takes "from" to mean "part of." "There came some of His ten thousands of saints, but not all of them." I believe the true translation is what I have given. The law itself was "ordained by angels in the hand of a mediator" (Galatians 3:19). It is called "the word spoken by angels" in Hebrews 2:2. The language of Daniel 7:10--"A fiery stream issued and came forth from before Him: thousand thousands ministered unto Him"--supplies a complete parallel. The fiery law came from the ten thousands on "His right hand;" or ADDITIONAL NOTE ON Deuteronomy 33:2. "A FIERY LAW." . . .

Verse 2. - And he said. Here begin the words of Moses. He commences by depicting the majesty of Jehovah as he appeared to Israel when he came to make the covenant with them and give them his Law. The Lord came from Sinai, and rose up from Seir unto them, etc. Seir is the mountain land of Edom to the cast of Sinai. Mount Paran is probably the range of lofty hills which form the southern boundary of the Promised Land to the north of the desert of Et-Tih. These places are not mentioned as scenes of different manifestations of the Divine glory, but as indicating the extent to which the one manifestation given at Sinai reached. The light of the Divine glory that rested on Sinai was reflected also from the mountains of Seir and Paran (cf. Hebrews 3:3; Judges 5:4). He came with ten thousands of saints; rather, he came from ten thousands of holy ones; literally, out from myriads of holiness; i.e. "from his celestial seat, where myriads of angels surround his throne" (Rosenmüller). The rendering "with," though that of the Targum, LXX., and Vulgate, cannot be retained; nor does Scripture represent God as attended by angels when he comes forth to manifest his glory to men. They are represented as surrounding his throne in heaven (1 Kings 22:19; Job 1:6; Daniel 7:10), as his servants awaiting his behest, and his host that do his pleasure (Genesis 28:12; Genesis 32:2, 3; Psalm 103:21); and God is represented as dwelling in the midst of them (Psalm 68:17). Hence he is represented here as coming forth from among them to manifest himself to his people. A fiery law. There is a various reading here; instead of אֵשׁ םדּת, fire of law, many codices have אשׁדת in one word, and this is supported by the Samaritan text and other authorities, and is accepted by most critics and interpreters. It is a fatal objection to the textual reading that דַּת is not a Semitic word, but one of Persian origin, brought by the Jews from Babylonia, and found only in the post-exilian books (Esther 1:8, 19; Esther 2:8, 12; Esther 3:8, 14; Esther 4:11, 15; Ezra 7:12, 21; Ezra 8:36; Daniel 2:9, 13, 15; Daniel 6:5, 9, 13, 16); and in them as applied to the Law of God only by heathens. It is, therefore, altogether improbable that this word should be found in any Hebrew writing anterior to the Captivity. Besides, what is the sense of אֵשׁ דַּת, supposing דת to mean "law?" The words cannot be rendered, as in the Authorized Version, by "fiery law;" they can only be rendered by "a fire, a law," or "a fire of law," and What either of these may mean it is not easy to see. The ancient versions vary here very considerably: LXX., ἐκ δεξιῶν αὐτοῦ ἄγγελοι μετ αὐτοῦ: Vulgate, fin dextera ejus ignea lex; Targum of Onkelos, "Written by his right hand, from the midst of the fire, a law gave he to us;" Syriac, "With myriads of his saints at his right hand. He gave to them, and also caused all peoples to love them." The best Hebrew manuscripts have אשׁדת as one word. The Masoretic note is, "The Chatiph is one word, and the K'ri two." The word אשׁדת is best explained as a compound of אֵשׁ, fire, and שׁדא, an Aramaic word signifying to throw or dart; the Syriac , or the Hebrew יָדָה, having the same signification, so that the meaning is "fire-dartings:" from his right hand went rays of fire like arrows shot forth (cf. Habakkuk 3:4; Exodus 19:16). To them; i.e. to the Israelites, to whom this manifestation was vouchsafed.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
He said:
וַיֹּאמַ֗ר (way·yō·mar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 559: To utter, say

“The LORD
יְהוָ֞ה (Yah·weh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3068: LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel

came
בָּא֙ (bā)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go

from Sinai
מִסִּינַ֥י (mis·sî·nay)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 5514: Sinai -- the mountain where the law was given

and dawned
וְזָרַ֤ח (wə·zā·raḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 2224: To irradiate, to rise, to appear

upon us
לָ֔מוֹ (lā·mōw)
Preposition | third person masculine plural
Strong's Hebrew

from Seir;
מִשֵּׂעִיר֙ (miś·śê·‘îr)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 8165: Seir -- a mountain range in Edom, also its inhabitants, also a mountain in Judah

He shone forth
הוֹפִ֙יעַ֙ (hō·w·p̄î·a‘)
Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3313: To shine out or forth, to send out beams, cause to shine

from Mount
מֵהַ֣ר (mê·har)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 2022: Mountain, hill, hill country

Paran
פָּארָ֔ן (pā·rān)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6290: Paran -- a place in Sinai

and came
וְאָתָ֖ה (wə·’ā·ṯāh)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 857: To arrive

with myriads
מֵרִבְבֹ֣ת (mê·riḇ·ḇōṯ)
Preposition-m | Number - feminine plural construct
Strong's 7233: Multitude, myriad, ten thousand

of holy ones,
קֹ֑דֶשׁ (qō·ḏeš)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 6944: A sacred place, thing, sanctity

with flaming fire
דָּ֖ת (dāṯ)
Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 799: Fire of a law

at His right hand.
מִֽימִינ֕וֹ (mî·mî·nōw)
Preposition-m | Noun - feminine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3225: The right hand, side, the south


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OT Law: Deuteronomy 33:2 He said Yahweh came from Sinai (Deut. De Du)
Deuteronomy 33:1
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