Deuteronomy 33 14

Deuteronomy 33:14 kjv

And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon,

Deuteronomy 33:14 nkjv

With the precious fruits of the sun, With the precious produce of the months,

Deuteronomy 33:14 niv

with the best the sun brings forth and the finest the moon can yield;

Deuteronomy 33:14 esv

with the choicest fruits of the sun and the rich yield of the months,

Deuteronomy 33:14 nlt

with the rich fruit that grows in the sun,
and the rich harvest produced each month;

Deuteronomy 33 verses

Deuteronomy 33 14 Meaning

This verse is part of Moses' final blessing upon the tribe of Joseph (encompassing Ephraim and Manasseh), promising them extraordinary agricultural bounty and prosperity. It speaks of the earth's choicest and most desired produce, brought forth through the beneficent influence of the sun and moon, indicating God's lavish provision for their land.

Deuteronomy 33 14 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 33 contains Moses' prophetic blessing pronounced upon the twelve tribes of Israel just before his death, similar in nature to Jacob's blessing in Genesis 49. This specific verse, Dt 33:14, is part of a lengthy and particularly rich blessing bestowed upon the tribe of Joseph, representing both Ephraim and Manasseh. It foresees their future prosperity in the Promised Land.Historically, the Israelites were an agrarian people heavily reliant on predictable weather patterns, rainfall, and natural conditions for their sustenance. The sun provided light and warmth for growth, while the moon (and its cycles) were understood to influence phenomena like tides, dew, and seasonal planting/harvesting. The surrounding Canaanite cultures worshipped celestial bodies like the sun and moon as deities (e.g., Baal as a sun god, Asherah sometimes linked to moon deities). Moses' blessing here implicitly confronts such pagan beliefs by portraying the sun and moon not as independent gods, but as instruments through which YHWH, the true God, bestows His "choicest gifts," underscoring His sovereignty over all creation.

Deuteronomy 33 14 Word analysis

• and with the choicest gifts: The Hebrew word here is מֶגֶד (meged), which translates to "precious things," "excellence," "choicest produce," or "desired fruits." Its repetition emphasizes the superb quality and high value of the blessings God provides. It refers to the best of what is harvested, denoting not just abundance, but superiority. This term reflects divine favor and lavish generosity.

• of the sun: The Hebrew is שֶׁמֶשׁ (shemesh), referring to the physical sun. In an agrarian context, the sun is vital for plant growth, warmth, and ripening of crops. The "gifts" from the sun refer to the benefits its light and warmth provide to agriculture. This underscores God's sovereignty over cosmic forces. The polemic here is subtle: unlike the sun worshipped by pagans, this "sun" is an agent, not a deity. Its bounty is "from God."

• and with the choicest yield: This repeats מֶגֶד (meged), further emphasizing the excellence and desirability of the produce from the moon's influence. It signifies a dual source of blessing from the heavens, reinforcing the completeness of divine provision.

• of the moon: The Hebrew here is יְרָחִים (yerakhim), plural of יֶרַח (yerakh), which can mean "moon" or "month." This term signifies the lunar cycles and their connection to seasonal timing crucial for farming, or nocturnal influences such as dew formation which are vital for crops, particularly in arid climates. The moon is a less direct source of "gifts" than the sun, but significant for regulating agricultural seasons and providing conditions for dew. As with the sun, the moon is God's creation, an instrument for His blessing, not an object of worship.

• Words-group Analysis

  • "choicest gifts...of the sun" and "choicest yield...of the moon": This parallel structure highlights a comprehensive divine provision spanning both day and night, hot and cool influences, and covering all seasonal aspects critical for agriculture. It implies an unbroken chain of blessing under God's control, ensuring a complete and full harvest cycle. It emphasizes God's mastery over all celestial forces and their impact on earthly fertility, ensuring optimal conditions for Israel's crops. This divine coordination yields unparalleled produce, demonstrating God's meticulous care for His covenant people.

Deuteronomy 33 14 Bonus section

• The repetition of "choicest" (meged) underscores the superior and luxurious quality of the promised produce, not merely subsistence, but abundance that surpasses expectation.
• This blessing implicitly functions as a reminder of the foundational covenant relationship: Israel's blessings are contingent upon their exclusive worship of YHWH, in stark contrast to worshipping creation.
• The emphasis on "sun" and "moon" captures the full cycle of light and temperature variations essential for different phases of plant growth, symbolizing holistic and perfect conditions granted by God.
• Joseph's tribal blessing in Deuteronomy 33 is the longest, paralleling Jacob's longest blessing in Gen 49 to Joseph. This highlights Joseph's significance and the extraordinary favor bestowed upon his lineage.

Deuteronomy 33 14 Commentary

Deuteronomy 33:14 paints a vivid picture of divine bounty awaiting Joseph's descendants in the Promised Land. Moses' blessing focuses on agricultural prosperity, describing produce that is "choicest" (meged) – not just plentiful, but of supreme quality. The verse attributes this abundance to the "gifts of the sun" and "yield of the moon," signifying God's benevolent use of natural phenomena to nurture the earth. This blessing directly confronts the idolatrous practices of surrounding nations who worshipped the sun and moon. Moses asserts that these celestial bodies are merely instruments in God's hand, through which He pours out His best for His people. It demonstrates YHWH's absolute sovereignty over creation, transforming what pagans considered deities into agents of the one true God's blessing. This signifies a rich, fruitful inheritance that speaks to God's faithfulness in sustaining His covenant people. For example, like a farmer witnessing perfect growing conditions from clear skies by day and abundant dew by night, this verse assures Israel of maximal natural support for their harvests due to divine favor.