Deuteronomy 33:18 kjv
And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents.
Deuteronomy 33:18 nkjv
And of Zebulun he said: "Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, And Issachar in your tents!
Deuteronomy 33:18 niv
About Zebulun he said: "Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, and you, Issachar, in your tents.
Deuteronomy 33:18 esv
And of Zebulun he said, "Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out, and Issachar, in your tents.
Deuteronomy 33:18 nlt
Moses said this about the tribes of Zebulun and Issachar : "May the people of Zebulun prosper in their travels.
May the people of Issachar prosper at home in their tents.
Deuteronomy 33 18 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 49:13 | "Zebulun shall dwell at the seashore; he shall become a haven for ships..." | Jacob's blessing; Zebulun's maritime connection. |
| Josh 19:10-16 | Zebulun's territorial description, extending to the sea. | Geographical context for "going out." |
| Jdg 5:18 | "Zebulun... risked their lives even to death on the heights of the field." | Zebulun's courage in battle; part of "going out." |
| Is 9:1-2 | "In the former time he brought into contempt the land of Zebulun... but in the latter time he has made glorious..." | Prophecy of Messiah's coming to Zebulun's region. |
| Mt 4:13-16 | Jesus dwelt in Capernaum by the sea in Zebulun's region, fulfilling Isaiah. | Fulfillment of prophecy; light in Zebulun's darkness. |
| Mk 1:29-39 | Jesus ministered widely in Galilee, often in Zebulun's area (Capernaum). | Jesus's active ministry in the blessed regions. |
| Rev 7:8 | "Of the tribe of Zebulun 12,000 were sealed..." | Zebulun's place among God's people in end times. |
| Gen 49:14-15 | "Issachar is a strong donkey, crouching between the sheepfolds... and he bowed his shoulder to bear, and became a slave at forced labor." | Jacob's blessing; Issachar's agricultural and diligent nature. |
| Josh 19:17-23 | Issachar's territorial description in fertile valleys. | Geographical context for "in your tents." |
| 1 Chr 12:32 | "Of Issachar, men who had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do..." | Issachar's wisdom and discernment, often associated with their "tents" of study. |
| Neh 9:28 | "But as soon as they had rest, they did evil again before you..." | Warning against complacency in the "tents" of peace. |
| Lev 23:42-43 | "You shall dwell in booths for seven days... so that your generations may know that I made the people of Israel dwell in booths..." | Dwelling in temporary shelters, related to God's provision. |
| Heb 11:9 | "By faith he went to live in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, living in tents..." | Patriarchs living in tents, emphasizing faith and reliance. |
| Psa 118:15 | "The sound of exultation and salvation is in the tents of the righteous..." | Joy and safety associated with righteous dwelling places. |
| Num 1:28-29 | Zebulun's census count (65,400 men). | Context for military "going out" capabilities. |
| Num 2:7 | "Then comes the tribe of Zebulun, the leader... 57,400..." | Positioning in the camp and marching order, strategic for "going out." |
| 1 Chr 7:1-5 | Issachar's descendants listed, many valiant men. | Illustrates strength even if "in tents." |
| Jer 35:7 | "You shall not build a house, sow seed, plant a vineyard... you shall dwell in tents all your days..." | Recommitment to a simpler, faithful, tent-dwelling life. |
| 2 Chr 30:18 | Some from Issachar (and Zebulun) purified themselves to eat the Passover. | Highlights piety and connection to God in later times. |
| Php 4:11-12 | "Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content." | Joy and contentment, whether in "going out" or "in tents." |
| Acts 1:8 | "But you will receive power... and you will be my witnesses... to the end of the earth." | The command to "go out" with the Gospel message. |
| Prov 24:27 | "Prepare your work outside; get everything ready in the field, and after that build your house." | Order of labor; parallels Zebulun's outside work for Issachar's "tent" life. |
Deuteronomy 33 verses
Deuteronomy 33 18 Meaning
This verse is part of Moses' final prophetic blessing upon the tribes of Israel before his death. It pronounces a distinct blessing upon Zebulun and Issachar, highlighting their characteristic activities and sources of joy. Zebulun is blessed in their outward endeavors, such as trade, seafaring, and possibly military campaigns. Issachar is blessed in their inward, settled life, perhaps related to agriculture, domestic stability, or devotion to learning within their tents. The verse suggests a harmonious relationship or complementary roles between the two tribes.
Deuteronomy 33 18 Context
Deuteronomy 33 records Moses' final blessing to the twelve tribes of Israel before his death, echoing and expanding upon Jacob's prophetic blessings in Genesis 49. It serves as a testamentary summary of each tribe's unique character, destiny, and the divine favor they would experience under God's covenant. This particular verse addresses Zebulun and Issachar together, highlighting a symbiotic relationship and contrasting or complementary aspects of their future roles within the Promised Land. The blessings often allude to their geographical locations and dominant activities.
Deuteronomy 33 18 Word analysis
And of Zebulun he said: This introduces Moses' specific prophecy for the tribe of Zebulun, the tenth son of Jacob.
Rejoice: (Hebrew: Simach) - To be glad, jubilant, or full of joy. This isn't just a command but a prediction or blessing of the state they will experience, indicating prosperity, divine favor, and success in their endeavors.
Zebulun: (Hebrew: Zevulun) - Derived from a root meaning "to dwell," "to exalt," or "habitation." This tribe's territory, as described in Josh 19:10-16, bordered the Sea of Galilee and extended toward the Mediterranean coast, making them suited for maritime activities.
in your going out, (Hebrew: b'tseitekha) - From the root yatsa meaning "to go forth," "to depart," "to march out." This refers to their active, outward-focused pursuits such as maritime trade, fishing, commercial journeys, or possibly military expeditions (as seen in Jdg 5:18). It speaks of enterprise and interaction with the outside world.
and Issachar: The ninth son of Jacob.
in your tents! (Hebrew: b'oholeikha) - From the root ohel meaning "tent," "dwelling," or "habitation." In contrast to Zebulun's outward activity, this points to Issachar's more settled, inward, or domestic life. This tribe occupied fertile land in the Jezreel Valley, primarily engaged in agriculture (Gen 49:14-15). "Tents" here can symbolize settled agricultural life, peace, domestic security, and historically, later interpretations associate Issachar's "tents" with scholarship and the study of Torah, perhaps facilitated by Zebulun's commercial activities.
Words-group by words-group analysis:
- "Rejoice, Zebulun, in your going out": This phrase links Zebulun's joy and prosperity directly to their outward movement and commercial or adventurous activities. Their blessing lies in their enterprise and interaction with broader world (via trade routes/sea access), rather than strict agricultural confines.
- "and Issachar in your tents!": This stands in clear contrast to Zebulun. Issachar finds their blessing and contentment within their established dwelling places, signifying stability, agricultural wealth, internal focus, and potentially devotion to wisdom and spiritual matters (as later understood through 1 Chr 12:32). This balance suggests a harmonious and interdependent relationship where Zebulun's trade might support Issachar's internal, perhaps scholarly, pursuits.
Deuteronomy 33 18 Bonus section
The juxtaposition of "going out" and "in your tents" for Zebulun and Issachar presents a unique dual blessing. It symbolizes the different, yet equally vital, aspects of life and ministry within God's community. Zebulun, the sea-bordering tribe, represents commerce and engagement with the broader world, bringing resources into the land. Issachar, deeply rooted in the fertile Jezreel Valley, symbolizes stability, learning, and agricultural wealth. This division of labor and focus underlines a principle where diverse gifts and roles within the body are all valuable and can lead to collective joy and flourishing under divine blessing. Some interpretations suggest that Zebulun's success in trade would finance Issachar's scholarship and dedication to understanding the Law, a significant aspect mentioned for Issachar in 1 Chronicles 12:32, where they "had understanding of the times." This reflects an enduring concept of collaboration between those who work "outside" and those who focus "inside" for the spiritual well-being of the community.
Deuteronomy 33 18 Commentary
Deuteronomy 33:18 reveals a divine intention for diverse strengths and interconnectedness within God's people. Moses’ blessing for Zebulun signifies the prosperity and satisfaction found in active engagement with the world through trade and journey. Their "going out" represents dynamic, outward-focused endeavors. Conversely, Issachar’s blessing "in your tents" emphasizes the value of settled life, agricultural stability, and possibly a deeper internal spiritual or intellectual focus. This suggests that both outward activity and inward devotion, commercial ventures and domestic peace, are divinely sanctioned and can be sources of joy when blessed by God. Rabbinic tradition often saw this as a complementary partnership, with Zebulun providing material support through trade for Issachar's devotion to Torah study, showcasing a harmonious division of labor for the common good and God's glory. The blessing serves as a reminder that joy and success stem from God's favor, regardless of whether one's primary calling is outwardly or inwardly focused.