Deuteronomy 33 15

Deuteronomy 33:15 kjv

And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills,

Deuteronomy 33:15 nkjv

With the best things of the ancient mountains, With the precious things of the everlasting hills,

Deuteronomy 33:15 niv

with the choicest gifts of the ancient mountains and the fruitfulness of the everlasting hills;

Deuteronomy 33:15 esv

with the finest produce of the ancient mountains and the abundance of the everlasting hills,

Deuteronomy 33:15 nlt

with the finest crops of the ancient mountains,
and the abundance from the everlasting hills;

Deuteronomy 33 verses

Deuteronomy 33 15 Meaning

Deuteronomy 33:15, as part of Moses' prophetic blessing over the tribe of Joseph, speaks of profound, enduring divine provision from the very land. It promises a portion of the land rich in the finest and most excellent produce and valuable resources derived from its ancient mountains and lasting hills. This signifies not merely agricultural bounty but also mineral wealth and the benefits of elevated terrain, all secured by God's eternal design and covenant faithfulness.

Deuteronomy 33 15 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 33 records Moses' final blessing pronounced over the tribes of Israel just before his death. This chapter serves as a testament to God's enduring covenant faithfulness and promises of prosperity for His people. Verse 15 specifically falls within Moses' blessing to the tribe of Joseph (comprising Ephraim and Manasseh), often seen as the most elaborate blessing in the chapter. The blessing invokes divine favor, abundant natural resources, and military strength. Historically, this blessing looked forward to the time when Joseph's descendants would inhabit and prosper in the fertile lands allotted to them, notably the central hill country of Canaan, which indeed proved to be a productive region providing valuable agricultural produce and minerals. The language points to the Creator's benevolent provision as the source of all earthly good for His chosen people.

Deuteronomy 33 15 Word analysis

• And for the chief things:
  • Hebrew: מֵרֹאשׁ (merosh) - Literally "from the head" or "from the top." This signifies the best, choicest, finest, or most excellent parts and produce. It conveys superiority in quality and prime value. It can refer to the best fruits, finest metals, or highest quality resources extracted.
• of the ancient mountains:
  • Hebrew: הָרֵי קֶדֶם (harey qedem) - Literally "mountains of old" or "mountains of antiquity." "Ancient" (qedem) implies primordial, long-established, and enduring. These are mountains that have stood from the beginning, linking their existence and productivity directly to God's eternal creative act. Mountains represent stability, permanence, and often sources of unique, valuable, and deep-rooted resources like precious stones, minerals, and also hydrological benefits from their heights (e.g., springs, dew).
• and for the precious things:
  • Hebrew: וּמִמֶּגֶד (umi-meged) - Literally "and from choicest fruit" or "from precious/desirable things." This term denotes delightful produce, exquisite or valuable bounty, implying a variety of desirable things, whether agricultural abundance (e.g., exquisite crops, fruits) or hidden treasures of the earth. It emphasizes the value and desirability of the items provided.
• of the lasting hills:
  • Hebrew: גִּבְעוֹת עוֹלָם (giv'ot ‘olam) - Literally "hills of eternity" or "everlasting hills." "Lasting" (olam) reinforces the concept of enduring, eternal, and perpetual provision. Like "ancient mountains," this emphasizes God's timeless design. Hills, while distinct from mountains, share similar characteristics as elevated landforms, providing their own unique contributions to the land's overall bounty and stability, from rich soil for vineyards to lower-level mineral deposits and strategic vantage points.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "chief things of the ancient mountains": This phrase evokes a sense of primordial, foundational, and superlative wealth. It suggests that the blessings for Joseph are not superficial or temporary but stem from the deepest, oldest, and most enduring features of God's creation, providing the very best resources—perhaps specific high-altitude produce, rare minerals, or rich spring waters essential for life and prosperity.
• "precious things of the lasting hills": This parallels the first phrase, reinforcing the theme of divine and perpetual bounty. While mountains suggest grandeur and deep resources, "lasting hills" might point to the more accessible, cultivable slopes or plateaus, emphasizing sustained agricultural richness and continued valuable yield that characterizes the inheritance for Joseph, again emphasizing that this productivity is not fleeting but eternal, rooted in God's changeless blessing. The dual phrasing stresses the comprehensive nature of the land's blessings, from the loftiest peaks to the more gently rising terrain.

Deuteronomy 33 15 Bonus section

The Hebrew word qedem (ancient) often has theological weight, referring to that which existed from the very beginning, even before time or creation itself, hinting at God's eternal nature (Ps 90:2, Mic 5:2). Thus, the "ancient mountains" imply that their richness and their very existence derive from God's primordial and enduring power. Similarly, olam (lasting/eternity) connects the promised blessings to the eternal counsel and faithfulness of God, suggesting a perpetual supply. The emphasis on mountains and hills also highlights a literal reality for the land of Joseph, which includes significant portions of the fertile, resource-rich central hill country of Israel. These features, in addition to agricultural yield and minerals, were vital for rainfall catchment and providing water sources via springs and dew, crucial elements already blessed in previous verses (Deut 33:13). The blessings extended beyond immediate needs, promising a consistent and generous provision that pointed to God's inexhaustible supply.

Deuteronomy 33 15 Commentary

Deuteronomy 33:15 paints a vivid picture of divine provision for Joseph's descendants, Ephraim and Manasseh. It is a blessing of abundant, superlative, and enduring natural resources from the Promised Land. The "ancient mountains" and "lasting hills" are not merely geological features; they represent stability, timelessness, and the foundational aspects of creation established by God from eternity. Their "chief things" and "precious things" signify the choicest agricultural produce, valuable minerals, and rich resources found within these terrains. This blessing underscores that Joseph's prosperity would be divinely sustained, sourced from the very fabric of the earth, as ordained by the eternal God. It contrasts sharply with the contemporary pagan beliefs that fertility and resources depended on finicky deities or human manipulation; instead, this verse powerfully asserts Yahweh as the sole, ancient, and ever-providing source of all goodness and abundance. It speaks to God's comprehensive care for His people, promising not just survival but thriving in the promised inheritance.