Deuteronomy 33:14 — Word Study
WLCוּמִמֶּ֖גֶד תְּבוּאֹ֣ת שָׁ֑מֶשׁ וּמִמֶּ֖גֶד גֶּ֥רֶשׁ יְרָחִֽים׃
BSAwith the bountifulmeged [abundant, plentiful] harvesttᵉbûwʼâh from the sunshemesh [the sun; the east or the west] and the abundantmeged [precious, valuable] yieldgeresh△ of the seasonsyerach [months, lunar cycles, times of growth]
| Greek | English | Parsing |
|---|---|---|
| וּמִמֶּ֖גֶד | and from [the] excellent gift of | Conjunction, preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| תְּבוּאֹ֣ת | [the] produce of | Noun common, feminine plural construct |
| שָׁ֑מֶשׁ | [the] sun | Noun common, both singular absolute |
| וּמִמֶּ֖גֶד | and from [the] excellent gift of | Conjunction, preposition, noun common masculine singular construct |
| גֶּ֥רֶשׁ | [the] yield of | Noun common, masculine singular construct |
| יְרָחִֽים׃ | [the] months | Noun common, masculine plural absolute |
Every word in the verse. Click a row to open it in the panel on the left.
| BSB | with the bountiful harvest from the sun and the abundant yield of the seasons, |
| KJV | And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon, |
| ASV | And for the precious things of the fruits of the sun, And for the precious things of the growth of the moons, |
| YLT | And by precious things — fruits of the sun, And by precious things — cast forth by the moons, |
| WEB | for the precious things of the fruits of the sun, for the precious things that the moon can yield, |
| BBE | And the good things of the fruits of the sun, and the good things of the growth of the moons, |
Where they part company is in the rendering of תְּבוּאָה — see How Translations Differ.
The sentence structure emphasizes the sources of abundance, with multiple prepositional phrases detailing the blessings.
7 commentators on this verse
Gill, Jamieson, Poole, Trapp & more — read them ›
clause
The sentence as the grammar sees it Open the tree ›
1 of 6 occurs nowhere else in the Old Testament — a word chosen on purpose.
Bars are logarithmic — אֵת, the commonest word in the Hebrew Bible, stands about 11,000 times, so a linear scale would leave everything else invisible. Click a row to open that word.
Deep Study — Deuteronomy 33:14
Sections marked generated are written from the data on this page rather than by a named author. Everything else — the lexicon entries, the cross references, the manuscript readings, the counts — is quoted from its source unchanged.
Context — The Blessing of Josephgenerated
Deuteronomy 33:14 is part of a series of blessings that Moses pronounces over the tribes of Israel. In this verse, he specifically addresses Joseph, invoking God's favor and abundance upon him. The blessings encompass both physical and spiritual prosperity, reflecting the richness of God's provision for His people.
Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 28:8 | The LORD will decree a blessing on your barns and on everything to which you put your hand; the LORD your God will bless you in the land He is giving you. |
| 2 | Leviticus 26:4 | I will give you rains in their season, and the land will yield its produce, and the trees of the field will bear their fruit. |
| 3 | 2 Samuel 23:4 | is like the light of the morning at sunrise of a cloudless dawn, the glistening after the rain on the sprouting grass of the earth.’ |
| 4 | Psalm 65:9–13 | You attend to the earth and water it; with abundance You enrich it. The streams of God are full of water, for You prepare our grain by providing for the earth. |
| 5 | Psalm 74:16 | The day is Yours, and also the night; You established the moon and the sun. |
The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge — 13 references, hung on the phrase they belong to
The Key Word — מֶגֶד, u.mi.Me.gedgenerated
The noun מֶגֶד (meged) refers to excellence or something distinguished and valuable. It is often associated with precious gifts or high-quality produce, indicating the best that one can receive.
In this context, it emphasizes the idea of a generous and excellent yield, suggesting that the blessings from God are not just plentiful but also of the highest quality.
How Translations Differ — measured against the Berean Standard Biblegenerated
All translations agree on the meaning of מֶגֶד as 'excellent gift' or 'precious produce'.
Sentence Structuregenerated
The structure of the verse centers around a series of prepositional phrases that describe the sources of abundance: 'from the sun' and 'of the seasons'. This construction highlights the richness of God's blessings.
The main clause is implicitly understood, focusing on the blessings being pronounced over Joseph, with each phrase adding detail to the nature of those blessings.
Septuagint Backgroundgenerated
In the Septuagint, מֶגֶד is rendered as ὥραν (hour, season), which shifts the focus slightly from the quality of the gift to the timing of abundance. This choice may reflect a broader understanding of seasonal blessings.
The use of ἡλίου (of the sun) aligns with the Hebrew, emphasizing the source of light and life that contributes to the harvest.
In plain words — the whole versegenerated
Deuteronomy 33:14 speaks of the blessings Moses pronounces over Joseph, highlighting the abundant harvests from the sun and the seasons. This reflects God's generous provision for His people.
Frequently Asked Questionsgenerated
מֶגֶד refers to something excellent or of high value, often used to describe precious gifts or produce.
The sun is mentioned as a source of life and growth, essential for the bountiful harvests that God provides.
The seasons represent the cycles of growth and harvest, indicating God's ongoing provision throughout the year.
This blessing reflects God's desire to provide abundantly for His people, encouraging us to trust in His provision and care.
Reflection Questionsgenerated
- In what ways have I experienced God's abundant provision in my life?
- How can I recognize and appreciate the excellent gifts God has given me?
- What does it mean to me that God blesses the seasons and the harvest?
- How can I share the blessings I have received with others?
Commentators on this verse — 7 expositors, verse by verse
Each of these wrote on Deuteronomy 33:14 itself, not merely on the chapter around it.
John Gill1697–1771Gill's Exposition of the Entire BibleAnd for the precious fruits [brought forth] by the sun,.... Which has a wonderful influence upon many and most of the fruits of the earth, to produce them out of their seeds in it, to bring them
Read John Gill on Deuteronomy 33 →Robert Jamieson1802–1880Jamieson, Fausset, and Brown's CommentaryAnd for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon, And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by
Read Robert Jamieson on Deuteronomy 33 →Matthew Poole1624–1679Matthew Poole's Commentary on the Holy BibleBy the sun, which opens and warms the earth, cherisheth and improveth, and in due time ripeneth the seeds and fruits of the earth. By the moon, which by its moisture refreshes and promotes them Heb. of the moons, or months, i.e. which it bringeth forth in the several months or seasons of the year.
Read Matthew Poole on Deuteronomy 33 →John Trapp1601–1669Trapp's Complete Commentary on the Old and New TestamentsDeuteronomy 33:14 And for the precious fruits [brought forth] by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon,Ver. 14. And for the precious fruits.] So St James calleth them, "The precious fruits of the earth." Diogenes justly taxed the folly of his countrymen, Quod res pretiosas minimo emerent, venderentque vilissimas plurimo, because they bought precious things, as grain, very cheap, but sold the basest things, as pictures, statues, &c., extremely dear, fifty pounds or more a-piece; though the life of man had no need of a statue, but could not subsist without grain. May not we more justly tax men for undervaluing the bread of life, and "spending money for that which is not…
Read John Trapp on Deuteronomy 33 →Charles John Ellicott1819–1905Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers(14) And for the precious fruits.—The “increase of the sun” and “precious things put forth from month to month” (or by night when the moon rules), are next alluded to.
Read Charles John Ellicott on Deuteronomy 33 →AdamClarkeAdam Clarke's Commentary on the BibleVerse 14. The precious fruits brought forth by the sun] All excellent and important productions of the earth, which come to perfection once in the year. So the precious things put forth by the moon may imply those vegetables which require but about a month to bring them to perfection, or vegetables of which several crops may be had in the course of a year.
Read AdamClarke on Deuteronomy 33 →CambridgeThe Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges14. growth] Yield or drop, what is thrust forth, only here. LXX ἀπὸσυνόδων.
Read Cambridge on Deuteronomy 33 →The verse in English, compared — 17 translations, and where they part company
Every translation on this page is a decision someone had to make and commit to. Read down a column and you see one translator's judgement; read across a row and you see the range the Greek actually allows. The BSB is the wording the rest of this page is measured against, so it is listed first.
Modern formal
with the bountiful harvest from the sun and the abundant yield of the seasons,
for the precious things of the fruits of the sun, for the precious things that the moon can yield,
with the bountiful harvest from the sun and the abundant yield of the seasons,
with the harvest produced by the daylight and by the moonlight;
Tyndale line
And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon,
And for the precious things of the fruits of the sun, And for the precious things of the growth of the moons,
And for the precious things of the fruits of the sun, And for the precious things of the growth of the moons,
And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon,
And for the sweete increase of the sunne, and for the sweete increase of the moone,
Strictly literal
And by the precious fruits of the sun, And by the precious things put forth by the months,
And by precious things — fruits of the sun, And by precious things — cast forth by the moons,
And by a precious thing—fruits of the sun, || And by a precious thing—cast forth by the months,
And through the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and through the precious things put forth by the moon,
May his land be blessed with the precious things of the harvest of the sun, with the precious things of the produce of the months,
From the Latin
Of the fruits brought forth by the sun and by the moon.
Simplified
with the best crops ripened by the sun and the best produce of the seasons;
And the good things of the fruits of the sun, and the good things of the growth of the moons,
Counted from the translations carried on this site, not from a survey of every English Bible. A rendering shared by many versions is usually inherited rather than independently arrived at — the Tyndale line in particular runs through most of them.
The sentence as the grammar sees it — from the MACULA Hebrew treebank
This is not our own analysis: it is the scholarly syntax tree for the verse, showing how the clause actually holds together.
Boxes are the grammarian's groupings — clause, noun phrase, prepositional phrase.
The four witnesses to this verse — Masoretic, Septuagint, Samaritan, Qumran
The Masoretic Text reads, "וּמִמֶּ֖גֶד תְּבוּאֹ֣ת שָׁ֑מֶשׁ וּמִמֶּ֖גֶד גֶּ֥רֶשׁ יְרָחִֽים׃" The Septuagint closely matches this text, with five out of six words corresponding, though its word order and articles differ. The Samaritan Pentateuch presents a variant, using the word "גרושׁי" (produce) instead of the Masoretic "גֶּרֶשׁ". The Dead Sea Scrolls (1Q5 and 4Q35) also reflect the Masoretic text but include restorations and supplied words, indicating that the original wording is not fully preserved in these fragments. Overall, the Samaritan Pentateuch differs from the Masoretic Text in one key word, while the Septuagint and the Dead Sea Scrolls largely agree with it.
וּמִמֶּ֖גֶד תְּבוּאֹ֣ת שָׁ֑מֶשׁ וּמִמֶּ֖גֶד גֶּ֥רֶשׁ יְרָחִֽים׃
5 of the 6 words are matched. This is the word-by-word correspondence, not the Septuagint's own sentence — its word order and its articles are its own.
וממגד תבואת שׁמשׁ וממגד גרושׁי ירחים
1 word differs from the Masoretic Text: גרושׁי (produce)
[וממגד] [תבואת] [שמש] [וממגד] [גרש] ירחים
nothing on the leather here — 1 partly restored, 5 supplied entire by an editor.
[וממגד] [תבואת] [שמש] [וממגד] [גרש] [ירחים]
nothing on the leather here — 6 supplied entire by an editor.
Four traditions, not one. “On the leather” means the letters physically survive on the scroll, as against letters an editor has supplied to fill a hole in it — a restoration is a scholar’s reading, not a reading of the manuscript. Words in [square brackets] are supplied; the notes count them apart from what survives.
The map of this verse — what each word keeps company with
This is a map of two things, both counted rather than judged. Company kept: which words stand within three words of each of these, anywhere in the Hebrew Bible — the thicker the line, the more often the pair meet compared with chance. Built from: the words a word is made out of, taken from its own Strong’s entry. It is not a map of meaning: nothing here claims two words mean the same thing. Click any circle to see the numbers behind it.
Lexicons — every word in Deuteronomy 33:14
One dossier per word, with every reference work grouped by kind — Hebrew lexicons, morphology, Bible dictionaries, topical chains and the English of the translators themselves. The verse sits at the head of each block with the word under study lit, so you never lose your place. The panel above gives the short answer; this is the long one, and it is the part of the page worth indexing.
Every entry below is the lexicographer's own text. On the Hebrew: Brown-Driver-Briggs entire and its gloss set, Strong's Hebrew Dictionary, and Tyndale House's Translators Brief lexicon. Where a cell says a work has no entry, that work genuinely has none for this word.
מֶ֫גֶד (meged) refers to excellence or something distinguished and valuable, likely derived from a root meaning to be eminent. The entries consistently highlight its association with precious or pleasant things.
מֶ֫גֶד n.m. excellence
base
H4022 מֶ֫גֶד excellence
4022 meged meh'-ghed
from an unused root probably meaning to be eminent; properly,
a distinguished thing; hence something valuable, as a product
or fruit:--pleasant, precious fruit (thing).
מֶ֫גֶד (me.ged) — excellence.
excellence
Conj | Prep | N-ms — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHC/R/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
תְּבוּאָה (tbuw'ah) refers to produce or revenue, typically from the earth, including crops and income. It can also figuratively denote gains, such as wisdom or the product of lips. The word is derived from a root meaning to bring forth, and its usage spans both literal and figurative contexts.
תְּבוּאָה n.f. proventus, product, revenue
product, yield, usually of earth
income, revenue, in general
fig. gain of wisdom
base
H8393 תְּבוּאָה proventus, product, revenue
8393 tbuw'ah teb-oo-aw'
from 935; income, i.e. produce (literally or
figuratively):--fruit, gain, increase, revenue.
see HEBREW for 0935
תְּבוּאָה (te.vu.ah) — produce.
1) produce, product, revenue
1a) product, yield, crops (of the earth usually)
1b) income, revenue
1c) gain (of wisdom) (fig)
1d) product of lips (fig)
N-fp — Noun common · feminine plural constructHNcfpc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ (shemesh) means 'sun' and is derived from a root meaning 'to be brilliant.' It encompasses various meanings, including directions like east and west, and can refer to the sun as an object of worship. Additionally, it can denote shining pinnacles or battlements.
שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ 133 n.f. et m. sun
sun
of direction: toward sun-rise, = East
obj. of worship
other phr.
pinnacle, as glittering, shining
base
H8121 שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ sun
8121 shemesh sheh'-mesh
from an unused root meaning to be brilliant; the sun; by
implication, the east; figuratively, a ray, i.e. (arch.) a
notched battlement:--+ east side(-ward), sun ((rising)), +
west(-ward), window. See also 1053.
see HEBREW for 01053
שֶׁ֫מֶשׁ (she.mesh) — sun.
1) sun
1a) sun
1b) sunrise, sun-rising, east, sun-setting, west (of direction)
1c) sun (as object of illicit worship)
1d) openly, publicly (in other phrases)
1e) pinnacles, battlements, shields (as glittering or shining)
N-cs — Noun common · both singular absoluteHNcbsa
Sun
(Heb. shemesh), first mentioned along with the moon as the two great luminaries of heaven (Gen. 1:14-18). By their motions and influence they were intended to mark and divide times and seasons. The worship of the sun was one of the oldest forms of false religion (Job 31:26,27), and was common among the Egyptians and Chaldeans and other pagan nations. The Jews were warned against this form of idolatry (Deut. 4:19; 17:3; comp. 2 Kings 23:11; Jer. 19:13).
In the history of "greater light," of the creation the sun is described as "greater light," in contradistinction to the moon, the "lesser light," in conjunction with which it was to serve "for signs and for seasons, and for days, and for years," while its special office was "to rule the day." (Genesis 1:14-16) The "signs" referred to were probably such extraordinary phenomena as eclipses, which were regarded as conveying premonitions of coming events. (Jeremiah 10:2; Matthew 24:29) with Luke 21:25 The joint influence assigned to the sun and moon in deciding the "seasons," both for agricultural operations and for religious festivals, and also in regulating the length and…
→ Created Ge 1:14-18; Ps 74:16; 136:7; Jer 31:35
→ Rising and setting of Ec 1:5
→ Diurnal motion of Ps 19:4,6
→ Worship of, forbidden De 4:19; 17:3
→ Worshiped Job 31:26-28; Jer 8:2; Eze 6:4,6; 8:16
→ Kings of Judah dedicate horses to 2Ki 23:11
→ Miracles concerning
מֶ֫גֶד (meged) refers to excellence or something distinguished and valuable, likely derived from a root meaning to be eminent. The entries consistently highlight its association with precious or pleasant things.
מֶ֫גֶד n.m. excellence
base
H4022 מֶ֫גֶד excellence
4022 meged meh'-ghed
from an unused root probably meaning to be eminent; properly,
a distinguished thing; hence something valuable, as a product
or fruit:--pleasant, precious fruit (thing).
מֶ֫גֶד (me.ged) — excellence.
excellence
Conj | Prep | N-ms — Conjunction · preposition · noun common masculine singular constructHC/R/Ncmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
גֶּ֫רֶשׁ (geresh) refers to something that is thrust or put forth, often associated with the idea of yielding or producing. The term is linked to the concept of production, as seen in Deuteronomy 33:14, where it denotes the yield of moons, indicating seasonal produce.
[גֶּ֫רֶשׁ] n.[m.] thing thrust or put forth, yield; Dt 33:14 yield, produce of moons; i.e. produce in its seasons
ref
H1645 [גֶּ֫רֶשׁ] thing thrust or put forth, yield
1645 geresh gheh'-resh
from 1644; produce (as if expelled):--put forth.
see HEBREW for 01644
גֶּ֫רֶשׁ (ge.resh) — produce.
a thing put forth, yield, produce, thing thrust forth
N-ms — Noun common · masculine singular constructHNcmsc
ov:
(1) In Anglo-Saxon, had the meaning "from," "away from" (as the strengthened form "off" has still), and was not used for genitive or possessive relations, these being expressed by special case-forms. In the Norman period, however, "of" was taken to represent the French de (a use well developed by the time of Chaucer), and in the Elizabethan period both senses of "of" were in common use. But after about 1600 the later force of the word became predominant, and in the earlier sense (which is now practically obsolete) it was replaced by other prepositions. In consequence the King James Version (and in some cases the Revised Version (British and American)) contains many uses of "of" that are no longer familiar--most of them, to be sure, causing no difficulty, but there still being a few responsible for real obscurities.
OF, preposition ov. [Gr.]
1. From or out of; proceeding from, as the cause, source, means, author or agent bestowing.
I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you. 1 Corinthians 11:1.
For it was of the Lord to harden their hearts. Joshua 11:1.
It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed.
Lamentations 3:1.
The whole disposing thereof is of the Lord. Proverbs 16:1.
Go, inquire of the Lord for me. 2 Chronicles 34:2.
That holy thing that shall be born of thee. Luke 1:1.
Hence of is the sign of the genitive case, the case that denotes production; as the son of man, the son proceeding from man, produced from man. This is the primary sense, although we now say, produced by man. 'Part of these were slain; ' that is, a number separate, for part denotes a division; the sense then is, a number from or out of the whole were slain. So also, 'some of these were slain; ' that is…
יֶ֫רַח (yerach) means 'month' and is derived from an unused root of uncertain meaning. It refers to a lunar cycle or calendar month and is associated with the moon. The Aramaic equivalent is יְרַח (ye.rach).
יֶ֫רַח n.m. month
base
H3391 יֶ֫רַח month
3391 yerach yeh'-rakh
from a unused root of uncertain signification; a lunation,
i.e. month:--month, moon.
יֶ֫רַח (ye.rach) — month.
1) month (lunar cycle), moon
1a) month
1b) calendar month
Aramaic equivalent: ye.rach (יְרַח "month" H3393)
N-mp — Noun common · masculine plural absoluteHNcmpa