Deuteronomy 33 13

Deuteronomy 33:13 kjv

And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath,

Deuteronomy 33:13 nkjv

And of Joseph he said: "Blessed of the LORD is his land, With the precious things of heaven, with the dew, And the deep lying beneath,

Deuteronomy 33:13 niv

About Joseph he said: "May the LORD bless his land with the precious dew from heaven above and with the deep waters that lie below;

Deuteronomy 33:13 esv

And of Joseph he said, "Blessed by the LORD be his land, with the choicest gifts of heaven above, and of the deep that crouches beneath,

Deuteronomy 33:13 nlt

Moses said this about the tribes of Joseph: "May their land be blessed by the LORD
with the precious gift of dew from the heavens
and water from beneath the earth;

Deuteronomy 33 verses

Deuteronomy 33 13 Meaning

This verse contains Moses' prophetic blessing upon the tribe of Joseph (comprising Ephraim and Manasseh), foreseeing their assigned territory as a place of exceptional agricultural abundance and fertility. This prosperity is directly attributed to the LORD, who provides moisture from both atmospheric sources (rain and dew) and inexhaustible subterranean waters (springs and underground streams). This comprehensive divine provision ensures a land yielding the finest and choicest produce.

Deuteronomy 33 13 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 33 records Moses' final blessing pronounced over the tribes of Israel just before his death, mirroring Jacob's patriarchal blessings in Genesis 49. It serves as a farewell charge, prophetic declaration, and expression of God's covenant faithfulness. This specific verse (v. 13) focuses on the tribe of Joseph, whose descendants—Ephraim and Manasseh—would receive significant, fertile portions of the land of Canaan.

Historically and culturally, ancient Israel was an agrarian society deeply dependent on consistent rain and water sources for survival and prosperity. Fertility of the land was perceived as a direct blessing from God. This blessing on Joseph’s land directly contrasts with the prevalent Canaanite beliefs where deities like Baal were thought to control rain and fertility. Moses' blessing emphasizes that the true and sole source of these "precious things" is YHWH, reinforcing monotheism and undermining any dependence on pagan gods. It looks forward to the physical manifestation of God's blessing in the Promised Land through agricultural abundance and natural resources.

Deuteronomy 33 13 Word analysis

• And of Joseph: Refers to the collective tribe descending from Joseph, particularly Ephraim and Manasseh, who together inherited a vast and significant portion of the Promised Land (Josh 16, 17). Joseph himself was blessed with fruitfulness (Gen 49:22), and this blessing extends to his progeny.
• he said: Moses is the speaker, divinely inspired to deliver this prophetic blessing as his final words before his passing.
• Blessed: (Hebrew: בָּרוּךְ, baruk) Conveys divine favor and empowerment for prosperity. It is an active state of being endowed by God with good things and abundance. This indicates that the prosperity is not coincidental or self-generated, but directly willed and imparted by the LORD.
• of the LORD: (Hebrew: יְהוָה, YHWH) Emphasizes that YHWH, the covenant God of Israel, is the sole source of this blessing. This is a critical polemic against the polytheistic fertility cults of the Canaanites who worshipped Baal, Asherah, and other deities for rain and agricultural prosperity. Moses clearly asserts God's sovereignty over nature.
• be his land: Refers to the territory allocated to the tribe of Joseph within Canaan. This land, notably in central Israel (Samaria), was known for its natural richness, though its full potential required divine provision. The blessing assures it will be especially fruitful.
• For the precious things: (Hebrew: מֶגֶד, meged, "precious fruit," "excellent thing," "choicest gift"). This word signifies superior quality and desirability of produce. It implies not just quantity but the finest and best of everything the land yields, whether crops, fruits, or natural resources. It speaks of divine favor ensuring superlative abundance.
• of heaven: (Hebrew: שָׁמַיִם, shamayim) The celestial realm, directly refers to meteorological phenomena emanating from the sky – rain, sunlight, and especially dew. God, dwelling in heaven, exercises direct control over these elements.
• for the dew: (Hebrew: טַל, tal) In arid and semi-arid regions like Israel, dew is a crucial source of moisture, especially during dry seasons when rain is absent. It helps crops and vegetation survive and thrive. Symbolically, dew also represents freshness, divine refreshment, and spiritual blessing (Ps 133:3; Hos 14:5).
• And for the deep: (Hebrew: תְּהוֹם, tehom) The term typically refers to the primordial deep (Gen 1:2) or vast subterranean waters (Gen 7:11). Here, it signifies the inexhaustible sources of underground water—springs, aquifers, and subterranean rivers—essential for sustaining life and agriculture even when rainfall is scarce.
• that coucheth beneath: (Hebrew: רֹבֶצֶת תַּחַת, rovẹtset taḥat - literally "lying beneath"). The verb "coucheth" (from a root often used for animals lying down or resting) implies that the vast, powerful underground waters are quietly and constantly present, always available to yield their abundance. It suggests an unfailing and tranquil readiness to provide, ensuring continuous water supply.

• Words-group Analysis:
  • "Blessed of the LORD be his land": This foundational phrase immediately establishes God as the sovereign giver of all prosperity. It defines the character of Joseph's inheritance—it is consecrated and set apart by divine favor, indicating a profound and deep connection to YHWH's will.
  • "For the precious things of heaven, for the dew": This pair signifies God's provision from above, emphasizing the crucial role of moisture descending from the atmosphere. "Precious things of heaven" encapsulates the very best produce possible, enabled by the "dew," a literal and symbolic life-giver in the Levant, essential for bountiful harvests and sustaining vegetation.
  • "And for the deep that coucheth beneath": This phrase complements the provision from above, showing God's provision from below the earth's surface. "The deep" denotes vast, stable, and continually present subterranean water sources. "Coucheth beneath" evokes a powerful yet submissive force, perpetually ready to provide life-sustaining water through springs and wells, making the land continually productive even in drier periods. Together, these elements paint a complete picture of God's holistic, comprehensive provision for Joseph’s land, ensuring both quality and consistency of its yield.

Deuteronomy 33 13 Bonus section

• The pairing of blessings from "heaven" and "the deep" represents a comprehensive spiritual and physical supply from God, echoing biblical themes where heaven signifies divine power and wisdom (e.g., God's dwelling, giver of light) and the deep represents His mighty control over chaotic forces (e.g., creation, the flood). This reflects God’s ability to draw blessings from every corner of creation for His chosen people.
• The "precious things" (מֶגֶד, meged) appear again in Deut 33:14 and 16, reinforcing a specific emphasis on superior quality and choiceness, a hallmark of God's blessing, particularly associated with Joseph's prosperity. This reiteration underscores the exceptional nature of Joseph's inheritance.
• The tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh eventually settled in territories rich with valleys and hills, receiving portions of the coastal plain, Sharon, Esdraelon, and the central hill country. This historical fulfillment testifies to the accuracy of Moses' prophetic blessing, with their land indeed becoming renowned for its fertility.

Deuteronomy 33 13 Commentary

Deuteronomy 33:13 profoundly illustrates God’s benevolent provision for His people. Moses' blessing upon Joseph’s land highlights divine enablement, asserting that the future prosperity of their allotted territory will not arise from mere human toil or local conditions, but directly from YHWH’s sovereign power and favor. The promise of "precious things" signifies not just abundance, but the choicest produce, attesting to an extraordinary blessing. By specifying "dew" from "heaven" and "the deep that coucheth beneath," Moses covers all major sources of water, affirming God's total control over both atmospheric and subterranean provisions. This comprehensive supply guarantees perennial fruitfulness. The theological emphasis here is that all true blessing originates from the faithful, covenant-keeping God, countering any inclination to credit fertility to pagan deities or forces of nature themselves. Spiritually, this verse echoes the multifaceted ways God provides for His children – physical necessities alongside deeper spiritual refreshment and life-giving truths, like the living water Jesus spoke of, satisfying eternal thirst (John 4).