Deuteronomy 33 16

Deuteronomy 33:16 kjv

And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren.

Deuteronomy 33:16 nkjv

With the precious things of the earth and its fullness, And the favor of Him who dwelt in the bush. Let the blessing come 'on the head of Joseph, And on the crown of the head of him who was separate from his brothers.'

Deuteronomy 33:16 niv

with the best gifts of the earth and its fullness and the favor of him who dwelt in the burning bush. Let all these rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince among his brothers.

Deuteronomy 33:16 esv

with the best gifts of the earth and its fullness and the favor of him who dwells in the bush. May these rest on the head of Joseph, on the pate of him who is prince among his brothers.

Deuteronomy 33:16 nlt

with the best gifts of the earth and its bounty,
and the favor of the one who appeared in the burning bush.
May these blessings rest on Joseph's head,
crowning the brow of the prince among his brothers.

Deuteronomy 33 verses

Deuteronomy 33 16 Meaning

Deuteronomy 33:16 expresses a profound blessing for the tribe of Joseph, stemming from God's benevolence and divine presence. It invokes an abundance of the finest earthly produce and natural wealth. Crucially, it links this material blessing directly to the "good will" of the Almighty God, who revealed Himself supernaturally at the burning bush. The verse explicitly prays for this blessing to be bestowed upon Joseph's leadership and the one uniquely consecrated or preeminent among his brothers, affirming his distinguished place within Israel due to his character and historical role.

Deuteronomy 33 16 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 33 contains Moses' final blessing upon the tribes of Israel just before his death and the Israelites' entry into the Promised Land. This blessing functions as a prophetic summary of the tribes' destinies and the nature of their covenant relationship with God. Moses, standing on the threshold of the Promised Land, articulates divine favor upon each tribe, often reflecting their historical experiences or foretelling future characteristics. The blessing upon Joseph (encompassing the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh) is particularly extensive and fervent (Deut 33:13-17), indicating their future prominence, strength, and great numbers within Israel. The chapter closes with Moses ascending Mount Nebo to view the land before his death, emphasizing the gravity and finality of these words. The mention of "him that dwelt in the bush" places the entire blessing under the authority of the covenant God who appeared to Moses at Horeb (Sinai), connecting the current blessing to foundational divine revelation and promises.

Deuteronomy 33 16 Word analysis

• "And for the precious things": (וּמִמֶּגֶד, u'mim'meged)

  • word: מֶגֶד (meged) - refers to "excellency," "choicest fruit," "delights," "precious things," "bounty." It implies things of high quality and great desirability.
  • significance: Denotes the choicest produce of the land and nature, representing rich agricultural yields and all the excellent gifts from the earth. This is a promise of divine provision beyond mere subsistence, encompassing the best that the land can offer. It speaks of a luxuriant and overflowing blessing, reflecting God's generosity.

• "of the earth": (אֶרֶץ, eretz)

  • word: The physical land, but in this context, the fruitful, cultivated earth.
  • significance: Specifies the source of these precious things as the ground, yet the blessing ultimately originates from God's work in nature. It encompasses natural resources, minerals, and the inherent fertility God instills in the soil.

• "and fullness thereof": (וּמְלֹאָהּ, u'm'loah)

  • word: מְלֹא (melo) - refers to "fullness," "all that fills," "contents."
  • significance: Emphasizes comprehensive abundance, implying that the land and its resources will not merely yield good things, but be replete with them. It suggests the totality and completeness of the earth's produce, that it will be full and prosperous, a comprehensive blessing that leaves no lack. This resonates with the idea that the "earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof" (Ps 24:1).

• "and the good will": (וּרְצוֹן, u'retzon)

  • word: רָצוֹן (ratzon) - signifies "favor," "acceptance," "pleasure," "delight," "will." It indicates a benevolent disposition, active and positive intention.
  • significance: This is a pivotal phrase. It states that the source of all these physical blessings is not merely nature itself or human effort, but the active, favorable disposition and loving pleasure of God. This divine goodwill is foundational; without it, no true prosperity can be realized. It is an expression of God's covenant loyalty and graciousness.

• "of him that dwelt in the bush": (שֹׁכְנִי סְנֶה, shokheni seneh)

  • words-group: שֹׁכְנִי (shokheni) - "dweller," "one who abides/settles"; סְנֶה (seneh) - "bush," specifically the burning bush.
  • significance: This is a unique and powerful circumlocution for God (YHWH). It directly references God's profound self-revelation to Moses at the burning bush in Exodus 3. This appearance signified God's immutable presence, His covenant fidelity, and His power to act on behalf of His people. By linking the blessing to "him that dwelt in the bush," Moses emphasizes that the prosperity of Joseph is guaranteed by the very same God who initiated Israel's liberation from Egypt and established His covenant with them. It serves as a direct contrast to pagan nature deities; Israel's blessing comes from the transcendent, historical, covenant-keeping God, not impersonal forces. It also points to the sacred, consecrated nature of His presence.

• "let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph": (וְתָבוֹא בְרָכָה לְרֹאשׁ יוֹסֵף, ve'tavo berakhah l'rosh Yosef)

  • words-group: בְּרָכָה (berakah) - "blessing," "empowerment," "divine favor leading to prosperity"; לְרֹאשׁ (l'rosh) - "upon the head."
  • significance: "Head" here represents leadership, the entirety of the tribe of Joseph, and possibly spiritual authority. It's a holistic blessing that rests upon them, signifying favor and preeminence within the tribes. This highlights Joseph's position as a foundational leader, both through his historical narrative (Gen 37-50) and through his progeny.

• "and upon the crown of the head": (וּלְקָדְקֹד, u'le'kodkod)

  • word: קָדְקֹד (kodkod) - "crown of the head," the very top part of the head.
  • significance: This reinforces and intensifies the previous phrase. "Crown of the head" can imply royalty, dignity, supremacy, or being consecrated. It highlights Joseph's unique distinction and the high honor bestowed upon him and his descendants among the tribes of Israel, reflecting his extraordinary historical role as a preserver of life (Gen 45:7-8). It also symbolizes preeminence, a royal or princely status even if not formally royal in a Judahite sense.

• "of him that was separate from his brethren": (נְזִיר אֶחָיו, nezir echaw)

  • words-group: נָזִיר (nazir) - "one consecrated," "separated," "dedicated," often associated with the Nazirite vow (Num 6); אֶחָיו (echaw) - "his brothers."
  • significance: This powerful phrase points to Joseph's distinct position, not just geographically, but as one chosen, distinguished, and elevated from among his siblings. This separation began with their initial hatred and his enslavement (Gen 37), but ultimately led to his exalted status as viceroy of Egypt and savior of his family (Gen 41-45). He was "separated" by divine providence for a special purpose, set apart by God for suffering and subsequent glorification. This could also imply a 'princely' status or one marked by special purity or dedication, further solidifying his unique preeminence, fulfilling Jacob's similar blessing in Genesis 49:26.

Deuteronomy 33 16 Bonus section

The repeated emphasis on the "head" and "crown of the head" in Joseph's blessing underscores his leadership and unique authority among the tribes, a characteristic that was certainly evident in the numerical strength and geographical prominence of Ephraim and Manasseh in later Israelite history. Spiritually, Joseph's 'separation' (being distinct, consecrated) foreshadows principles of being set apart for God's purposes, often involving trials or a path less traveled. This theme finds ultimate fulfillment in Christ, who was truly "separate from sinners" (Heb 7:26) and exalted above all. The idea of God's "good will" leading to overwhelming blessings encourages believers to seek God's favor and trust in His benevolent plan, knowing that all true abundance, whether material or spiritual, originates from Him. This concept transforms blessing from a mere earthly gain into a tangible expression of divine relationship.

Deuteronomy 33 16 Commentary

Deuteronomy 33:16 encapsulates the source, nature, and recipient of profound divine favor upon Joseph. The verse establishes God as the sovereign controller of nature's bounty ("precious things of the earth and fullness thereof"). This blessing isn't arbitrary but flows directly from the "good will" (divine pleasure and favor) of the God who powerfully revealed Himself to Moses at the burning bush. This specific reference anchors the blessing in God's historical acts of salvation and covenant faithfulness. By invoking the "dweller in the bush," Moses reinforces that the blessings promised are not from pagan deities associated with nature's fertility, but from the one true, transcendent God. The ultimate culmination of this divine beneficence is directed to Joseph's leadership ("head") and unique distinction ("crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren"). Joseph's life, marked by separation, suffering, and ultimate exaltation as the provider for his family, perfectly illustrates the themes of divine providence and blessing upon one uniquely chosen and prepared. This verse celebrates not just agricultural prosperity, but divine preeminence given to a chosen lineage due to God's steadfast character and the recipient's unique history and purpose within His plan.