Deuteronomy 33:8-29 ▼

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).”

22 Concerning Dan (He has judged) he said: “Dan is a lion’s cub, leaping out of Bashan (fruitful).”

23 Concerning Naphtali (wrestling) he said: “Naphtali is abounding with favor, full of the blessing of the LORD {YHWH}; he shall take possession of the sea (the west) and the south.”

24 And concerning Asher (happy) he said: “May Asher be the most blessed of sons; may he be the most favored among his brothers and dip his foot in oil.

25 May the bolts of your gate be iron and bronze, and may your strength match your days.”

26 “There is none like the God of Jeshurun (upright one), who rides the heavens to your aid, and the clouds in His majesty.

27 The eternal God {Elohe} is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. He drives out the enemy before you, giving the command, ‘Destroy him!’

28 So Israel (he wrestles with God) dwells securely; the fountain of Jacob (he grasps the heel) lives untroubled in a land of grain and new wine, where even the heavens drip with dew.

29 Blessed are you, O Israel (he wrestles with God)! Who is like you, a people saved by the LORD {YHWH}? He is the shield that protects you, the sword in which you boast. Your enemies will cower before you, and you shall trample their high places.”