This is the blessing that Moses the man of God pronounced upon the Israelites before his death.
Parallel translations
- WEB This is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.
- KJV And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.
- NKJV Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death.
- NASB Now this is the blessing with which Moses the man of God blessed the sons of Israel before his death.
- NLT This is the blessing that Moses, the man of God, gave to the people of Israel before his death:
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995, 2020 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. lockman.org
Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Quick answer
This introduces Moses' final blessing on the tribes of Israel before his death. Like the patriarchs before him, Moses blesses the nation as he departs.
Overview
Called "the man of God," Moses speaks as a prophet, pronouncing covenant blessings tribe by tribe in chapter 33, echoing Jacob's blessings in Genesis 49. A deathbed blessing carried great weight as a prophetic word over the future of God's people. It reflects God's faithfulness to His covenant despite Israel's failings, a faithfulness fulfilled and secured in Christ, in whom all the promises are Yes (2 Cor. 1:20).
Cross-references & the web
Cross-references · 17
- Josh 14:6Then the sons of Judah approached Joshua at Gilgal, and Caleb son of Jephunneh the Kenizzite said to him, “You know what the LORD said to Moses the man of God at Kadesh-barnea about you and me.
- 1 Tim 6:11But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.
- 1 Sam 2:27Then a man of God came to Eli and told him, “This is what the LORD says: ‘Did I not clearly reveal Myself to your father’s house when they were in Egypt under Pharaoh’s house?
- John 14:27Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled; do not be afraid.
- Gen 49:1Then Jacob called for his sons and said, “Gather around so that I can tell you what will happen to you in the days to come:
- Luke 24:50–51When Jesus had led them out as far as Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them.
- 2 Pet 1:21For no such prophecy was ever brought forth by the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.
- Gen 49:28These are the tribes of Israel, twelve in all, and this was what their father said to them. He blessed them, and he blessed each one with a suitable blessing.
- John 16:33I have told you these things so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take courage; I have overcome the world!”
- 2 Tim 3:17so that the man of God may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.
- Judg 13:6So the woman went and told her husband, “A man of God came to me. His appearance was like the angel of God, exceedingly awesome. I did not ask him where he came from, and he did not tell me his name.
- 1 Kgs 13:1Suddenly, as Jeroboam was standing beside the altar to burn incense, there came a man of God from Judah to Bethel by the word of the LORD.
- 1 Sam 9:6–7“Look,” said the servant, “in this city there is a man of God who is highly respected; everything he says surely comes to pass. Let us go there now. Perhaps he will tell us which way to go.”
- Gen 27:4Then prepare a tasty dish that I love and bring it to me to eat, so that I may bless you before I die.”
- 1 Kgs 13:6Then the king responded to the man of God, “Intercede with the LORD your God and pray that my hand may be restored.” So the man of God interceded with the LORD, and the king’s hand was restored to him as it was before.
- Gen 27:27–29So he came near and kissed him. When Isaac smelled his clothing, he blessed him and said: “Ah, the smell of my son is like the smell of a field that the LORD has blessed.
- Ps 90:1A prayer of Moses the man of God. Lord, You have been our dwelling place through all generations.
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Christ at the center
Moses promised a Prophet like himself to whom Israel must listen (18:15); Jesus is that Prophet, the one who keeps the covenant we broke and becomes the curse for us by hanging on a tree (Gal 3:13).
How Deuteronomy 33:1 points to him is part of the one story that runs through all Scripture — meet Jesus at the heart of the web, or follow a trail that traces him from Genesis to Revelation.
Original language
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