(20) Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad.—The mountains of Gilead shut him in.He dwelleth as a lion.—See 1 Chronicles 12:8, for eleven Gadites, “whose faces were as the faces of lions.” read more
The Law of Antagonism Deuteronomy 33:2-3 At first sight the text might seem to involve a contradiction, but closer consideration will show that it expresses a great truth, viz. that the severity of human life is an expression of the Divine goodness. I. Consider the truth of the text as it finds expression in Nature. Nature is imperative, uncompromising, terrible. A lofty and unyielding commandment is written over all things, and behind the fiery law is a right hand capable of enforcing it to... read more
MOSES’ CHARACTER AND DEATHIT has been often said, and it has even become a principle of the critical school, that the historical notices in the earlier documents of the Old Testament represent nothing but the ideas current at the time when they were written. Whether they depict an Abraham, a Jacob, or a Moses, all they really tell us is the kind of character which at such times was held to be heroic. In this way the value of the historic parts of Deuteronomy has been called in question, and we... read more
3. The Blessing of Moses CHAPTERS 32:44-33:29 1. Introduction (Deuteronomy 32:44-52 ) 2. Jehovah’s manifestation (Deuteronomy 33:1-5 ) 3. The blessing of Reuben, Judah and Levi (Deuteronomy 33:6-11 ) 4. The blessing of Benjamin and Joseph (Deuteronomy 33:12-17 ) 5. The blessing of Zebulon and Issachar (Deuteronomy 33:18-19 ) 6. The blessing of Gad, Dan, Nephtali and Asher (Deuteronomy 33:20-25 ) 7. Happy art thou, O Israel! (Deuteronomy 33:26-29 ) Moses and Joshua (same as... read more
THE BLESSING OF THE TRIBES (vs.1-29) Though Deuteronomy is a book largely of admonition, yet all admonition is finished by the end of Chapter 32:47, and Chapter 33 beautifully closes God's message for Israel by pronouncing blessing that is high above all the demands of law. This blessing is prophetic of the millennial blessing of Israel still future. It is introduced, however, with the Lord coming from Sinai, leaving behind the covenant of law and dawning on Israel from Seir, but shining... read more
THE BLESSING AND THE END After Moses ended his song (Deuteronomy 32:44 ) he exhorted the people in language familiar to us (Deuteronomy 32:45-47 ), and then the voice of the Lord was heard to what purport (Deuteronomy 32:49-50 )? And why (Deuteronomy 32:51 )? Can you recall the details referred to in that verse? If not, look up the story again as indicated in the margin of your Bible. What grace does God show Moses, in spite of his disobedience (Deuteronomy 32:52 )? Does Moses complain at... read more
The Distribution of Blessings Deuteronomy 33:0 Moses cannot die. We have been told about his approaching death again and again; but he cannot yet be released. He has just been singing his great song, and now he is about to utter a blessing worthy of its doctrine and music; and whether he will yet die, who can tell? He does not die hard, in any severe and arbitrary sense of that term; instead of dying, he seems to live more, to double his vitality, and to cause his energy to express itself in... read more
It was said of Gad, by Jacob his Father, that a troop should overcome him, but that he should overcome at the last. Genesis 49:19 . And is not Gad, a figure of all GOD'S people, who are variously exercised: and as it should seem frequently overcome by troops of sins, troops of oppressors, troops of enemies from the world, the flesh, and the devil? but yet, concerning whom, victory is not doubtful, for they shall certainly at last overcome every foe, by the blood of the LAMB. Revelation 12:11 . read more
Breadth. The tribe of Gad, &c., slew or drove the Agarites from their neighbourhood, and seized their country, 1 Paralipomenon v. 18, 22. Hebrew, Septuagint, and Chaldean, "Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad," which was verified in Jephte, Josue xi. 33. (Calmet) read more
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John Dummelow's Commentary on the Bible - Deuteronomy 33:1-29
The Blessing of MosesThis chapter contains the last words or ’swan-song’ of Moses. Immediately before his death he takes farewell of the people, and blesses each of the tribes in turn, as Jacob had done on his deathbed: see Genesis 49. The two blessings should be compared; see also on Deuteronomy 33:4.2-5. Introduction, describing the majestic appearance of Jehovah to His chosen people.2. Cp. Judges 5:4; Habakkuk 3:3. Seir] Edom (see on Numbers 20:22-29). Mount Paran] the S. boundary of Canaan.... read more