Deuteronomy 33

Deuteronomy 33:1

THe blessing] This blessing containeth not onely a simple prayer, but an assurance of the effect thereof.

Deuteronomy 33:2

The Lord came from] Or, unto Mount Sinai: (for the word will admit of three readings, though more usually it be rendered from, or out of it) Throughout the whole verse there is a continued metaphor, wherein God is brought in as the Sunne shewing himselfe to the people in divers places, in severall kinds and degrees of glory and goodnesse; as at Mount Sinai, God called for his people to make a Covenant with them: out of it, or from it, he went to guide them towards Canaan.

rose up from Seir] A mountaine of Idumea. The former favour was as the light before the Sunne-rising; here at Mount Seir he rose up, and shewed himselfe in speciall favour and glorious power, when in their way by Seir or Edom, the brasen Serpent (a Type of Christ the Sunne of righteousnesse arising with healing in his wings, Malachi 4:2. and a remedy against the biting of fiery Serpents) was erected. Some take it literally, as that the glory of God began to shine from Mount Seir, (the top whereof might be seene neere Sinai) and that it passed thence to Mount Sinai, becoming more and more glorious, and there settled for a time.

shined forth from mount Paran] A Mountaine in the wildernesse, neere unto which Moses made a repetition and explication of that Booke of Deuteronomie, Chap. 1. vers. 1. and where it is conceived by some, that God endowed the Elders of Israel with a large measure of his Spirit: and there also did he manifest his miraculous power in provision for his people by sending Quailes from heaven.

ten thousands of his Saints] That is, holy ones: meaning an infinite company of Angels: for the good Angels are all of them Saints, though Saints be not Angels; and they attended him in the solemnitie of his appearance at Sinai, from whence also was his Law delivered. See Acts 7:53. Galatians 3:19. Hebrews 2:2.

a fiery Law] Given with the fire of terrible lightnings, Exodus 19:16; Exodus 19:18. Or, because the Law is the rule of our ardent devotion to God, and fervent affection to our neighbours.

for them] That is, for his people.

Deuteronomy 33:3

in thy hand] That is, in the Lords hand: by which is signified his power and protection; the person is often changed, the Spirit sometimes moving the inspired pen-men to speake of God, sometimes (upon speaking of him) ravishing their affections in devotion towards him, and moving them to speake to God.

at thy feet] Thy holy people attended upon thee at the foot of Mount Sinai, (where thy Majesty appeared) as disciples at the foot of their Teacher, Acts 22:3.

Deuteronomy 33:4

Moses commanded] The fourth and fifth verses are the words of the pious part of the people, expressing their good affection to the Law, and to Moses, by whose mediation they received it.

the inheritance] Or an hereditary law to be kept by themselves, and transmitted to their posteritie.

Deuteronomy 33:5

King] That is, Prince, or chiefe Governour, Judg. 19. 1. meaning Moses for the kingly government, as it is described, 1 Samuel 8:9. was not yet set up in Israel. Or, if it be meant of such an one, it is a prophesie of the Common-wealth of Israel in the reigne of Saul.

in Jeshurun] That is, in Israel. See Annot. on Chap. 32. vers. 15.

Deuteronomy 33:6

live, and not die] See Annot. on Genesis 42:2.

let not his men be few] Or, let his men be few: For the word (not) is not in the Originall; yet it may be repeated as in Job 30:20. 25. & Psalms 9:18. The needy shall not alwaies be forgotten, the expectation of the poore shall perish for ever; but the word not must be repeated thus: the expectation of the poore shall not perish for ever: or, nor the expectation of the poore perish for ever. So, let Reuben live and not die; and let not his men be a number: that is, let them be few: and if the words be read without the word not, let his men be a number, (as in the Doway Bible) that number may be either few or many. The Genevah renders the words, though he be few; and thereupon the Annotation is, Reuben shall be one of the Tribes of Gods people, though for his sinne his honour be diminished, and his family but small: for he had the fewest of all his brethren the sonnes of Leah, as the account is brought in, Numb. 1. (where Levi was not numbred with them) and fewer then Naphtali one of the sonnes of Bilhah Rachels hand-maid.

Deuteronomy 33:7

Heare the voyce of Judah, and bring him unto his people] The prayer of Moses, or voyce of Judah is not to be understood of the person of Judah, for he was dead long before this time, but of the Tribe of Judah, and of the bringing of him unto his people, some conceive to be a bringing of him with his people into the Land of Canaan according to the desire of Caleb and Joshua, Numbers 14:8. Secondly, others take it to be a coming to his people, as a warrier returning to his people with victory over his enemies, and safetie and protection to his people; and this as well by prayers as by force of armes of the Tribe of Judah; as in the example of David who prayed devoutly, as well as fought valiantly and victoriously against his enemies; as Asa, and Jehosaphat, and Hezekiah Kings of Judah. Thirdly, the bringing of Judah to his people, is taken for the returne of the Tribe of Judah from captivitie: for though the children of Israel and the children of Judah were oppressed together, and all that tooke them captives held them fast, and refused to let them goe, Jeremiah 50:33. yet the Lords promise was to bring againe the captivitie of Israel and Judah, Jeremiah 30:3. which promise implied a condition of repentance, and that condition performed by the Tribe of Judah, and Benjamin, and some few of the other Tribes, they were restored to their people, to wit, to the poore which were left to husband the land, Jeremiah 39:10. & Jeremiah 40:7. & Jeremiah 52:16. but the other ten Tribes generally persisting in their impenitencie continued in their captivitie.

sufficient] Give thou sufficient strength to his hands, that he may not be made a prey to his enemies.

Deuteronomy 33:8

And of Levi] Simeon his elder brother, who was joyned with him in the curse of Jacob, was not here made his partner in the blessing of Moses: for he is not mentioned at all: the reason is thought to be, because that Tribe was exceedingly defiled with fornication spirituall and corporall; and though Levi had his part in the slaughter of the Shechemites, and curse of Jacob for it, yet is his Tribe here blessed by Moses, because of his zeale against Idolatrie, Exod. 32. 26, 27, &c.

Thummim and Ʋrim] Or, Ʋrim and Thummim. See Annot. on Exodus 28:30.

thy holy One] Thy High Priest dedicated unto thee by a peculiar consecration.

Massah] Signifieth temptation, probation or triall, and so the words may be read, whom thou doest prove with a probation, that is, with some great speciall triall.

Meribah] Of Meribah, see Numbers 20:13. Of Massah, and Meribah both, see Exodus 17:7.

Deuteronomy 33:9

Who said unto] Or, of his father and mother, I have not, and doe not see him, (Concluding both under the more worthy gender) that is, who was so impartiall in Gods cause, as not to acknowledge, either father, or mother, brother, or children against his command. This is applyed to the state of the High-priest, who was not to defile himselfe by mourning for the dead, whether father, mother, &c. Levit. 21. 11, 12. nor being Judge to favour his neerest kindred in a naughtie cause, Deuteronomy 17:9. nor in execution of just punishment to spare his own flesh, and blood how neere so ever, from slaughter in the Lords cause, and quarrell, as Exod. 32. vers. 26, 27, 28, 29.

Deuteronomy 33:11

Blesse, LORD] He declareth that the Ministers of God have many enemies, and therefore have need to be prayed for.

Deuteronomy 33:12

The beloved of the Lord] That is, Benjamin, who, as he was his father Jacobs darling, when Joseph was supposed to be dead; so was he much beloved of the Lord; of whose Tribe the first King was chosen, and in whose portion the Temple was built.

by him] That is, by Gods assistance; or Benjamin shall dwell in safetie by Levi: for the Temple wherein the Tribe of Levi ministred, was in the Tribe of Benjamin, whose lot of inheritance was betwixt the Tribe of Judah, and the Tribe of Joseph.

his shoulders] God shall choose him an habitation in the chiefe Citie of the Tribe of Benjamin: for though the South part of Jerusalem (which is called the Citie of God in especiall manner) where was Mount Sion, were in the Tribe of Judah, yet the Northern part with Mount Moriah, where the Temple stood, was in the Tribe of Benjamin; and being set upon that hill it was conspicuously eminent, as the head placed above and between the shoulders. And though God be said to dwell in Mount Sion, and thence some conceive his Temple was situate upon it, yet where it is so said, the word Sion must be taken not strictly for the hill of Sion, but by a Synecdoche of a part for the whole, for the whole Citie of Jerusalem, and therewith for the Temple founded upon Mount Moriah.

Deuteronomy 33:13

the precious things of heaven] He plentifully sets forth the fruitfulnesse of the portion of Joseph, by all the means that produce increase, whether from above, as raines, and dewes, which fall from heaven upon the earth, or from beneath, Ezekiel 34:26.

the deepe that coucheth] That is, the springs, and rich minerals which are below.

Deuteronomy 33:14

by the Moon] The influences of the Sunne by heat, and of the Moon by moisture, and the influences of the Starres make the fruits of the earth to prosper. Or, according to the Hebrew, Moones, meaning the various operation by the change and course of the Moon for that blessing of the earth.

Deuteronomy 33:15

ancient mountains] There are some mountains of sand and rubbish casually made, some purposely cast up by the labour of man: in respect of these the mountains made at the Creation are very ancient mountains; and upon some of them grow Olives, Cedars, Pine-trees, Cypresse-trees, and other things usefull for necessitie and delight.

lasting hils] As in the precedent words they are called anoient mountains; so are they here by way of comparison, called lasting hils.

Deuteronomy 33:16

in the bush] God appeared unto Moses in a burning bush, Exod. 3. Chap. 2.

and upon the top of] Which is not another, but the same Joseph, but spoken of under another title, that the blessing might be doubled upon him.

separated from his brethren] Or, was a Nazarite. Which some take in respect of beautie, for the Nazarites are commended for that. Lamentations 4:7. and so was Joseph, Genesis 39:6. But why he was called so, see Annot. on Genesis 49:26.

Deuteronomy 33:17

His glory] That is, the glory of Ephraim shall be like unto a faire young and lusty bullocke.

hornes of Ʋnicornes] See Annot. on Numbers 23:22.

to the ends of the earth] He shall overcome countreyes farre remote.

the ten thousands of Ephraim, and the thousands of Manasseh] The fruitfulnesse of Ephraim by this comparative proportion seems to be much more then that of Manasseh, and so we find it, at the muster and number of the people, Numbers 1:33. 35. but when Moses blessed them, the Tribe of Manasseh was more numerous, Numbers 26:34. 37. yet Moses overlooks the present overplus of the Tribe of Manasseh, foreseeing and foretelling that Ephraim should overtake it, and overgoe it in the multitude of his troopes in future times.

Deuteronomy 33:18

in thy going out] In thy prosperous voyages by Sea, according to that, Genesis 49:13. and thy going out to warre against thine enemy.

in thy tents] In thy peaceable habitation in pasturing of cattell, and other exercises of husbandry, whereto he so addicted himselfe, that he had rather submit, like a strong Asse to a double burden of Tribute, then fight for his freedome from it. Genesis 49:14.

Deuteronomy 33:19

unto the mountaine] To the Mount where Moses by the spirit of Prophesie foresaw the Temple should be seated. See Annot. on Chap. 33. vers. 12.

they shall sucke] The former part of the verse of inviting to the holy Mountaine, may be meant of both the Tribes forementioned, but this of sucking of the abundance of the Seas is to be appropriated to Zebulun, who being commodiously situate for Merchandise reaped great benefit by the Seas, and by the Cities seated upon the Sea shoare, which is sandy ground, whereof Issacher had some, though Zebulun more, or more commodious for traffique.

Deuteronomy 33:20

That enlargeth Gad] Either by giving him more scope and compasse for his company, as Joshua 17:15. or by delivering him out of straights when he is distressed, Psal. 4. 1, 2. 1 Chron. 5. 18, 20, 21.

teareth the arme with] That is, catching the prey like a Lion, who greedily seiseth on the arme and head together; so that he shall prevaile over the strong, and pull down the dignified; for the arme is the strongest part, the crown of the head the highest.

Deuteronomy 33:21

provided the first part for himselfe] That is, he with the Reubenites and halfe Tribe of Manasseh got the first portion of Land, which was on this side Jordan, to those which journeyed towards Canaan out of Egypt: See Numb. 32. vers. 23. 29. 33.

Lawgiver] That is, Moses; for he had not his portion by lot as others had, but by his own request, and Moses his grant.

he came with the heads] A prophesie for asseveration and assurance set down in the phrase of an history as if already the deed were done: it imports the forwardnesse of that Tribe, who would be as ready as the best to execute the Justice of the Lord upon the Canaanites.

and his judgements] Which God had denounced against them.

with Israel] For though the Gadites with the Reubenites and halfe Tribe of Manasseh had their part on this side Jordan, they undertooke the conquest on the other side with the rest of their brethren, Numbers 32:23. 29. 33.

Deuteronomy 33:22

Dan is a Lions whelpe] As a fierce young Lion leaping from the hils of Bashan (where he was bred) to catch the prey. So is the similitude; yet Bashan was a part of the portion of Manasseh, not of Dan, Deuteronomy 3:13. but the similitude is in regard of qualitie, not of place, and in this he is resembled (as Judah was) to a Lion, Genesis 40:9. and the Danites were valorous, of which Tribe were more warriers numbered, Num. 1. then of any other Tribe but Judah, vers, 22. & 39. Or it may note the disposition of the Danites to hunting and living upon prey as Lions doe.

Deuteronomy 33:23

Naphtali satisfied with favour] His portion was most pleasant and fruitfull by land; and for foraine dainties his situation neere the Sea furnished him with abundance by his traffique with the Sidonians, Tyrians, and Phenicians, so that he might very well be satisfied who neither wanted contentment for the quantitie or qualitie of desireable provision.

Deuteronomy 33:24

dip his foot in oyle] In his portion shall be great store of oyle, not onely to anoint the face, but to supple the feet: This is agreeable to Jacobs prediction, Genesis 49:20.

Deuteronomy 33:25

as thy dayes so shall thy strength be] While thy dayes hold out thy strength shall hold out and not faile, as it was with Moses, Chap. 34. vers. 7. Or, the honour and power of the Tribe of Asher shall not decay with age, as usually a mans personall strength doth, but it shall continue in vigour and vertue, which shall not faile or languish with continuation of time.

Deuteronomy 33:26

of Jesurun] See the Annot. on Chap. 32. 15. in thy helpe] For thy helpe.

Deuteronomy 33:27

underneath are the everlasting armes] Gods protection over his people is above, and beneath, and both everlasting.

Deuteronomy 33:28

in safetie alone] Without any enemy to challenge, or usurpe any part of his promised possession. See Numbers 23:9.

the fountaine] That is, the posteritie of Jacob, spread abroad like the overflowings of a fountaine, Psalms 68:26. & Isaiah 48:1. & Revelation 17:15. Or, the fountaine of Jacob may be his plentifull blessing, which floweth from God as a fountaine that cannot (not as a cisterne that may) be drawne dry. Some for the fountaine of Jacob read the eye of Jacob, and the meaning then is, that he shall feed and delight his eye in the fruitfulnesse of his land abounding with good corne and wine.

his heavens] The heavens spread over the land of his habitation.

Deuteronomy 33:29

sword of thy excellency] God is not onely a buckler of defence to his people, but a sword of assault against their enemies whom by his assistance they shall excell and gloriously conquer in combate with them. See Psal. 44. vers. 5, 6, 7.

found liers] Either in their prophesies of triumph over thee; or in faining and lying like the Gibeonites to curry favour with thee, Joshua 9:4. Psalms 18:44. & Psalms 66:3.

high places] See Annot. on Chap. 32. vers. 13.