6 “Let Reuben live, and not die;
Nor let his men be few.” 7 This is the blessing of Judah: and he said,
“Hear, Yahweh, the voice of Judah.
Bring him in to his people.
With his hands he contended for himself.
You shall be a help against his adversaries.”
8 Of Levi he said,
“Your Thummim and your Urim are with your godly one,
whom you proved at Massah,
with whom you strove at the waters of Meribah; 9 who said of his father, and of his mother, ‘I have not seen him;’
Neither did he acknowledge his brothers,
Nor did he know his own children:
For they have observed your word,
and keep your covenant. 10 They shall teach Jacob your ordinances,
and Israel your law.
They shall put incense before you,
and whole burnt offering on your altar. 11 Yahweh, bless his substance.
Accept the work of his hands.
Strike through the hips of those who rise up against him,
of those who hate him, that they not rise again.”
12 Of Benjamin he said,
“The beloved of Yahweh shall dwell in safety by him.
He covers him all the day long.
He dwells between his shoulders.” 13 Of Joseph he said,
“His land is blessed by Yahweh,
for the precious things of the heavens, for the dew,
for the deep that couches beneath, 14 for the precious things of the fruits of the sun,
for the precious things of the growth of the moons, 15 for the chief things of the ancient mountains,
for the precious things of the everlasting hills, 16 for the precious things of the earth and its fullness,
the good will of him who lived in the bush [1].
Let the blessing come on the head of Joseph,
On the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers. 17 The firstborn of his herd, majesty is his.
His horns are the horns of the wild ox.
With them he shall push the peoples all of them, even the ends of the earth:
They are the ten thousands of Ephraim.
They are the thousands of Manasseh.”
18 Of Zebulun he said,
“Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out;
and Issachar, in your tents. 19 They shall call the peoples to the mountain.
There they will offer sacrifices of righteousness,
for they shall draw out the abundance of the seas,
the hidden treasures of the sand.” 20 Of Gad he said,
“He who enlarges Gad is blessed.
He dwells as a lioness,
and tears the arm, yes, the crown of the head. 21 He provided the first part for himself,
for there was the lawgiver’s portion reserved.
He came with the heads of the people.
He executed the righteousness of Yahweh,
His ordinances with Israel.”
22 Of Dan he said,
“Dan is a lion’s cub
that leaps out of Bashan.” 23 Of Naphtali he said,
“Naphtali, satisfied with favor,
full of the blessing of Yahweh,
Possess the west and the south.” 24 Of Asher he said,
“Asher is blessed with children.
Let him be acceptable to his brothers.
Let him dip his foot in oil. 25 Your bars shall be iron and brass.
As your days, so your strength will be.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on Deuteronomy 33:6-25
Commentary on Deuteronomy 33:6-23
(Read Deuteronomy 33:6-23)
The order in which the tribes are here blessed, is not the same as is observed elsewhere. The blessing of Judah may refer to the whole tribe in general, or to David as a type of Christ. Moses largely blesses the tribe of Levi. Acceptance with God is what we should all aim at, and desire, in all our devotions, whether men accept us or not, 2 Corinthians 5:9. This prayer is a prophecy, that God will keep up a ministry in his church to the end of time. The tribe of Benjamin had their inheritance close to mount Zion. To be situated near the ordinances, is a precious gift from the Lord, a privilege not to be exchanged for any worldly advantage, or indulgence. We should thankfully receive the earthly blessings sent to us, through the successive seasons. But those good gifts which come down from the Father of lights, through the rising of the Sun of righteousness, and the pouring out of his Spirit like the rain which makes fruitful, are infinitely more precious, as the tokens of his special love. The precious things here prayed for, are figures of spiritual blessing in heavenly things by Christ, the gifts, graces, and comforts of the Spirit. When Moses prays for the good will of Him that dwelt in the bush, he refers to the covenant, on which all our hopes of God's favour must be founded. The providence of God appoints men's habitations, and wisely disposes men to different employments for the public good. Whatever our place and business are, it is our wisdom and duty to apply thereto; and it is happiness to be well pleased therewith. We should not only invite others to the service of God, but abound in it. The blessing of Naphtali. The favour of God is the only favour satisfying to the soul. Those are happy indeed, who have the favour of God; and those shall have it, who reckon that in having it they have enough, and desire no more.
Commentary on Deuteronomy 33:24-25
(Read Deuteronomy 33:24-25)
All shall be sanctified to true believers; if their way be rough, their feet shall be shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. As thy days, so shall thy strength be. The "day" is often in Scripture put for the events of the day; it is a promise that God would graciously and constantly support under trials and troubles, whatever they were. It is a promise sure to all the spiritual seed of Abraham. Have they work allotted? They shall have strength to do it. Have they burdens appointed? They shall have strength, and never be tempted above what they are able to bear.