Deuteronomy 33 20

Deuteronomy 33:20 kjv

And of Gad he said, Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head.

Deuteronomy 33:20 nkjv

And of Gad he said: "Blessed is he who enlarges Gad; He dwells as a lion, And tears the arm and the crown of his head.

Deuteronomy 33:20 niv

About Gad he said: "Blessed is he who enlarges Gad's domain! Gad lives there like a lion, tearing at arm or head.

Deuteronomy 33:20 esv

And of Gad he said, "Blessed be he who enlarges Gad! Gad crouches like a lion; he tears off arm and scalp.

Deuteronomy 33:20 nlt

Moses said this about the tribe of Gad: "Blessed is the one who enlarges Gad's territory!
Gad is poised there like a lion
to tear off an arm or a head.

Deuteronomy 33 verses

Deuteronomy 33 20 Meaning

Deuteronomy 33:20 describes the tribal blessing given by Moses to Gad. It highlights God as the enlarger of Gad's territory and prosperity, characterizing the tribe's strength and martial prowess by likening them to a lioness. This imagery signifies Gad's fierce protective nature and ability to utterly defeat their enemies by "tearing the arm and the crown of the head," symbolizing the complete dismantling of an opponent's strength and vital power.

Deuteronomy 33 20 Context

Deuteronomy chapter 33 records Moses' final blessing upon the twelve tribes of Israel just before his death and their entry into the Promised Land. This blessing mirrors Jacob's blessing in Gen 49, offering a prophetic glimpse into each tribe's future character, destiny, and contribution to the nation. Each tribal blessing often highlights specific strengths, territories, or roles. For Gad, whose allotted land lay east of the Jordan River in a strategically vulnerable area, a warlike nature was essential for their survival and expansion. Their territory often faced threats from Moab, Ammon, and Syrian tribes, necessitating constant vigilance and a readiness for battle. Moses' blessing reaffirms Gad's renown as a formidable military force, capable of defending its own and aiding other tribes, particularly as they were among those who settled first across the Jordan but committed to assisting in the conquest of the land to the west (Num 32; Josh 4).

Deuteronomy 33 20 Word analysis

• And of Gad he said: The introduction to the specific blessing for the tribe of Gad. This particular blessing follows the divine favor upon Asher.
• "Blessed be he who enlarges Gad!":
  • Blessed (בָּרוּךְ - barukh): This term points to a divine blessing. Here, it refers to Yahweh, the source of all blessing. It's a declaration of praise and acknowledgement of God as the bestower of favor.
  • enlarges (מַרְחִיב - marchiv): From the root rachav, meaning to make broad, enlarge, or give ample room. This signifies God's action in expanding Gad's territory, increasing their population, and ensuring their prosperity. It implies overcoming geographical or numerical constraints.
  • This opening attributes Gad's future prosperity and success not to their own strength primarily, but to God's divine hand.
• "He dwells like a lioness,":
  • He dwells (שָׁכֵן - shakhen): To settle, to reside, to encamp. This implies a fixed and secure presence.
  • like a lioness (כְּלָבִיא - k'laviya): From laviy, meaning lioness. The choice of "lioness" is significant; lionesses are known for their fierce protectiveness of their young, cunning hunting strategies, and formidable power in guarding their territory. It evokes an image of fierce readiness, vigilance, and destructive capability in defense, embodying both strength and strategic prowess. This portrays Gad as a formidable and dangerous force to any aggressor.
• "and tears the arm":
  • tears (וְטָרַף - v'taraf): A strong verb, suggesting a predatory action, to rip, to rend, to tear apart violently, like a wild beast devouring prey. This underscores the ruthlessness and decisive nature of Gad's victory over enemies.
  • the arm (זְרוֹעַ - z'roa): The arm is a symbol of strength, power, and often military might or authority. Tearing the arm signifies incapacitating an enemy's power, rendering them helpless and unable to fight back or exercise authority.
• "and the crown of the head.":
  • and the crown of the head (אַף קָדְקֹד - af qadqod): "Af" can mean "also" or "even," intensifying the destruction. "Qadqod" refers to the scalp, the top of the head, or the very skull. Tearing or shattering the crown of the head implies a fatal, decisive blow, leading to the complete destruction or overthrow of the enemy's vital force, leader, or source of intelligence and control. It's an image of absolute victory and subjugation.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "Blessed be he who enlarges Gad!": This phrase is a powerful divine pronouncement. It immediately sets the tone, attributing Gad's future greatness directly to the enabling power and blessing of God, making Him the ultimate source of the tribe's expansion and success. This also counters any notion of reliance on their own might solely.
• "He dwells like a lioness, and tears the arm and the crown of the head.": This segment provides the vivid, metaphorical description of Gad's character and military actions. The "lioness" imagery portrays them as secure in their dwelling (protecting their borders fiercely) and swift in aggression when needed. The progression from "tearing the arm" to "tearing the crown of the head" illustrates a progression from merely disarming an enemy to utterly destroying their power base and leadership, demonstrating Gad's completeness in victory. It paints a picture of a tribe that is both defensive of its domain and fearsome in its offense, executing swift and devastating blows.

Deuteronomy 33 20 Bonus section

The placement of Gad's blessing in Deut 33, alongside Reuben and Judah, and distinct from other tribes, reflects their geographical position east of the Jordan and their crucial role as the vanguard of Israel's forces. This poetic blessing in many ways echoes Jacob's prophecy concerning Gad in Gen 49:19, "Raiders shall raid Gad, but he shall raid at their heels," confirming Gad's identity as a tribe constantly engaged in battle but ultimately prevailing. The strong, vivid animal imagery (lioness) and action verbs ("tears") are typical of ancient Near Eastern heroic poetry, repurposed here to glorify God's work through His people rather than merely human might. This blessing therefore serves as a theological affirmation of God’s sovereignty over tribal destinies and His active involvement in securing their peace and prosperity through strength.

Deuteronomy 33 20 Commentary

Deuteronomy 33:20 is a robust and highly commendatory blessing upon the tribe of Gad, emphasizing their preeminence as warriors under divine enablement. Moses' prophecy does not merely state Gad will be strong, but declares God as the source of their strength and expansion ("Blessed be He who enlarges Gad"). This immediately anchors their future success in divine blessing, not merely their own inherent capability, although their fierce character is well-known (1 Chr 5:18, 12:8).

The metaphor of the "lioness" is chosen to highlight Gad's unique martial nature. A lioness, more so than a lone lion in some contexts, embodies the traits of cunning, vigilance, and aggressive defense, particularly when guarding her domain or cubs. This speaks to Gad's historical role in defending their vulnerable Transjordanian territory. Their ability to "tear the arm" signifies their capacity to dismantle the physical and strategic power of their enemies. Going further, to "tear the crown of the head" is to utterly destroy the enemy's command, vital force, or leadership, leading to a complete and irreversible victory. This prophetic statement foreshadowed Gad's military exploits and effectiveness in securing their frontiers against surrounding peoples. Ultimately, it affirms that Gad's ferocity and decisive victories were divinely empowered and instrumental in God's broader plan for His people.