Chapter 33

1 The majesty of God. 6 The blessings of the twelve tribes. 26 The excellency of Israel.

1. The blessing. Compare Gen. 49:1.

Before his death. See Deut. 32:49; compare Isaac (Gen. 27:7), Jacob (Gen. 50:16), David (1 Chron. 22:5).

2. From Sinai. The divine glory manifested on the occasion of the promulgation of the law (Ex. 19, 20) is pictured here as being reflected brilliantly from the peaks and slopes of the neighboring hills.

With ten thousands of saints. Literally, “from myriads of holy ones,” that is, from His dwelling place in heaven with its countless holy beings, where He sits enthroned in glory (see 1 Kings 22:19; Job 1:6; Ps. 89:7; Dan. 7:10). The preposition “with” is not an accurate rendition of the Hebrew. The picture is one of the celestial regions, where heavenly creatures await God’s pleasure (see Gen. 28:12; 32:2, 3; Ps. 103:21).

A fiery law. Compare Ex. 19:16, 18. Perhaps a clearer translation would be, “at his right was a burning fire for them,” suggesting the presence of the heavenly creatures (see Gal. 3:19).

3. Loved the people. The people were His children (see Ex. 4:22; 19:4).

All his saints. That is, the people of Israel, the holy nation (see Ex. 19:6; Deut. 7:6; 14:2, 21; 26:19).

Sat down. In a state of expectancy, awaiting the proclamation of God’s will.

Receive of thy words. The reference here would be to all that God revealed to them through Moses.

4. Commanded us a law. In using the pronoun “us” Moses identifies himself with his people.

5. King in Jeshurun. By the authority of, and under the hand of, God. During his lifetime Moses was prophet, priest, king, judge, and lawgiver to Israel. To be sure, in a strict sense, none but Jehovah was their King (see Ex. 15:18; Ps. 47:6, 7). Jeshurun is a poetic name for Israel.

6. Reuben. The second “not” in this verse was supplied by the translators, and is not in the Hebrew. An implied reference to his sin with Bilhah (Gen. 35:22). Reuben was the first-born (Gen. 49:3), but never attained to great national importance. Rather, this tribe dwindled constantly in numbers. Jacob had declared prophetically that he would not excel; Moses here assures the Reubenites that they will not entirely disappear from among Israel.

7. Judah. The meaning of the name is, perhaps, “praised” or “object of praise.” He was the son of Jacob and Leah; the meaning of his name is based on the words of his mother at the time of his birth (see Gen. 29:35). His father predicted his brethren would praise him (see Gen. 49:8). On the tribe of Judah, see Joshua 14:6; 1 Kings 12:20; 2 Kings 17:18; Ps. 78:68.

8. Levi. Next to Joseph, this tribe is mentioned most often in the books of Moses. In Jacob’s blessing, Simeon and Levi are joined together. Here Moses does not mention Simeon, inasmuch as Jacob had foretold that he would be scattered among his brethren (see Gen. 49:7).

Thummim. The tribe of Levi was to retain the high honor of spiritual leadership.

10. Incense. To offer incense was the special privilege of the priests (see Num. 16:6-10, 40; 1 Sam. 2:28).

11. Substance. The same Hebrew word is translated “wealth” in ch. 8:17, 18.

Accept. Recognize and appreciate his ministry.

Smite. The Levites were vested with civil as well as religious duties (see ch. 17:8–12). To rise up against them was to become an enemy of the state.

12. Benjamin. The child of his father’s old age, whom he loved.

Dwell between his shoulders. That is, to be carried on His back, or protected. God would protect Benjamin. Some commentators refer these words to the ridges of the territory of Benjamin (see Joshua 15:8; 18:13), and speak of Jerusalem as being in his territory.

13. Joseph. Here are reference to the blessing pronounced on Joseph (see Gen. 49:22–26). A rich soil is predicted, which would in turn ensure a high standard of living. The land allotted his descendants was well watered. Various crops of choice grains and fruit thrived there. His cattle were to be vigorous and healthy. His military strength was to be great.

16. The good will. The “good will” of God has filled this earth with seemingly inexhaustible riches, indications of His love for man. There is a sense in which this divine “good will” is over all (see Matt. 5:45). But in a special sense, however, God’s “good will” is over His chosen representatives on earth (see Gal. 3:26).

In the bush. These words refer to the presence of God at the burning bush (see Ex. 3:2, 4).

17. Ephraim. Jacob raised Ephraim to the position and rank of the firstborn (see Gen. 48:18, 19); therefore “ten thousands” are predicted for him, but only “thousands” for Manasseh.

18. Zebulun. Zebulun is here pictured as a maritime people. This is also reflected in the prophecy of Jacob (see Gen. 49:13). Many distinguished warriors arose from this tribe (see Judges 5:18; 1 Chron. 12:33).

Zebulun and Issachar were associated with Judah in the leading division in the wilderness (see Num. 2:5–7). As the last two sons of Leah, Moses here treats them together. Zebulun was the younger of the two, but is placed first, in harmony with Gen. 49:13.

19. Sacrifices. Their conduct and worship would be in harmony with God’s directives, and therefore pleasing to Him (see Ps. 4).

20. Gad. A warlike tribe that grew in numbers and in strength (see 1 Chron. 5:18–20; 12:8; cf. Gen. 49:19).

Lion. See 1 Chron. 12:8 for 11 Gadites “whose faces were like the faces of lions.”

21. The first part. The first territory conquered was divided by Moses between Reuben, Gad, and the half tribe of Manasseh (see Num. 32:1, 2, 33).

His judgments. The Gadites fulfilled their promise to cross over the Jordan and do their part in the conquest of Canaan, until the whole country was subdued (Num. 32:21, 22, 29).

22. Dan. Jacob compared him to a serpent, or an adder (see Gen. 49:17). He is here spoken of as a “lion’s whelp,” as was Judah (see Gen. 49:9; cf. Judges 18:25–31).

23. Naphtali. For the territory of Naphtali, see Joshua 19:32–39.

Satisfied with favour. Compare Ps. 145:16, for the blessings of God for His children.

West. Literally, “sea.” This could scarcely be the Mediterranean Sea, but rather the Sea of Chinnereth (ch. 3:17), that is, the Sea of Galilee.

25. Shoes. The word here translated “shoes” does not occur elsewhere in the OT. It is better translated “bars,” as is evident from Neh. 3:3, where a similar form is used. It is derived from the verb “to bolt,” “to shut fast.” The meaning here is perhaps that of impregnability, referring to Asher’s fortresses and homes. See Ps. 107:16; Isa. 45:2, where “iron” and “brass” are mentioned together with gates and bars. These materials are not generally mentioned in connection with shoes.

26. Rideth upon the heaven. A figure of speech to describe universal supremacy (see Ps. 18:8, 9; 68:33-35).

27. Thy refuge. See Ps. 90:1. A better translation would be “dwelling place.” See Deut. 26:15 for the same Hebrew word.

28. Dwell in safety. Jewish commentators apply these words to the reign of Solomon (see 1 Kings 4:25; cf. Jer. 23:6).

The fountain of Jacob. Generally taken to be a reference to the unfailing stream of descendants of the patriarch Jacob (see Isa. 48:1; cf. Ps. 68:26).

Liars. The surrounding people would approach Israel under the guise of friendship and humility in order to court their favor. The Hebrew root verb suggests fawning, cringing submission (see Ps. 18:44; 66:3; 81:14).

Tread upon. Be triumphant over their enemies (Amos 4:13; Micah 1:3). None would be able to stand before them.

The final verses of this chapter are an encouragement to have faith in God. He is supreme. He greatly blesses His faithful children, giving them security, peace, and an abundance of the good things of life. Finally, He will give them an eternal inheritance. God’s children should ever be of good courage.

Ellen G. White comments

1    SR 172

2, 3 MB 75; PP 304

13-16PP 475

25   CT 258; FE 264; MB 50; ML 51; MYP 98; SC 131; 4T 278; 5T 200

25-29MH 285

26-29PP 471

27   AH 204; CH 362; EW 88; GW 265; MB 148; ML 316; 1T 617; 4T 328, 538; 8T 131

27-298T 270