Deuteronomy 33:1-21 ▼

1 This is the blessing that Moses (drawn out) the man of God {Elohim} pronounced upon the Israelites (God prevails) before his death.

2 He said: “The LORD {YHWH} came from Sinai (thorny) and dawned upon us [upon them] from Seir (shaggy); He shone forth from Mount Paran (place of caverns) and came with myriads of holy ones, with flaming fire at His right hand.

3 Surely You love the people; all the holy ones are in Your hand, and they sit down at Your feet (they follow in Your steps); each receives Your words—

4 the law that Moses (drawn out) gave us, the possession of the assembly of Jacob (he grasps the heel).

5 So the LORD became King in Jeshurun (upright one) when the leaders of the people gathered, when the tribes of Israel (he wrestles with God) came together.

6 Let Reuben (behold a son) live and not die, nor (but let) his men be few.

7 And concerning Judah (praised) he said: “O LORD {YHWH}, hear the cry of Judah and bring him to his people. With his own hands he defends his cause, but may You be a help against his foes.”

8 Concerning Levi (joined to) he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi (perfection) and Your Urim (lights) to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah (testing) and contested at the waters of Meribah (quarreling).

9 He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept \they kept/ Your word and maintained Your covenant.

10 He will teach Your ordinances to Jacob (he grasps the heel) and Your law to Israel (he wrestles with God); he will set incense before You and whole burnt offerings on Your altar.

11 Bless his substance, O LORD {YHWH}, and accept the work of his hands. Smash the loins of those who rise against him, and of his foes so they can rise no more.”

12 Concerning Benjamin (son of the right hand) he said: “May the beloved of the LORD {YHWH} rest secure in Him; God shields [He shields] him all day long, and upon His shoulders he rests.”

13 Concerning Joseph (YHWH has added) he said: “May his land be blessed by the LORD {YHWH} with the precious dew from heaven above and the deep waters that lie beneath,

14 with the bountiful harvest from the sun and the abundant yield of the seasons,

15 with the best of the ancient mountains and the bounty of the everlasting hills,

16 with the choice gifts of the land and everything in it, and with the favor of Him who dwelt in the burning bush. May these rest on the head of Joseph (YHWH has added) and crown the brow of the prince of his brothers.

17 His majesty is like a firstborn bull, and his horns are like those of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even to the ends of the earth. Such are the myriads of Ephraim (doubly fruitful), and such are the thousands of Manasseh (causing to forget).”

18 Concerning Zebulun (exalted) he said: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your journeys, and Issachar (there is recompense), in your tents.

19 They will call the peoples to a mountain; there they will offer sacrifices of righteousness. For they will feast on the abundance of the seas and the hidden treasures of the sand.”

20 Concerning Gad (troop) he said: “Blessed is he who enlarges the domain of Gad! He lies down like a lion and tears off an arm or a head.

21 He chose the best land for himself, because a ruler’s portion was reserved for him there. He came with the leaders of the people; he administered the LORD’s {YHWH} justice and His ordinances for Israel (he wrestles with God).”