Deuteronomy 33 28

Deuteronomy 33:28 kjv

Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew.

Deuteronomy 33:28 nkjv

Then Israel shall dwell in safety, The fountain of Jacob alone, In a land of grain and new wine; His heavens shall also drop dew.

Deuteronomy 33:28 niv

So Israel will live in safety; Jacob will dwell secure in a land of grain and new wine, where the heavens drop dew.

Deuteronomy 33:28 esv

So Israel lived in safety, Jacob lived alone, in a land of grain and wine, whose heavens drop down dew.

Deuteronomy 33:28 nlt

So Israel will live in safety,
prosperous Jacob in security,
in a land of grain and new wine,
while the heavens drop down dew.

Deuteronomy 33 verses

Deuteronomy 33 28 Meaning

Deuteronomy 33:28 proclaims Israel's destined secure dwelling under God's unique protection. They are set apart, relying solely on divine care, not human alliances. The verse envisions their prosperity as a people descended from Jacob, enjoying the abundant produce of their fertile land—grain and new wine—all provided directly and consistently through God's blessing from the heavens, signified by the gentle but life-sustaining dew. It reassures Israel of God's unwavering provision and distinct identity as they are about to enter the Promised Land.

Deuteronomy 33 28 Context

This verse is part of Moses' farewell blessing over the tribes of Israel just before his death and their entry into the Promised Land. The entire chapter (Deuteronomy 33) is Moses' final prophetic declaration of God's favor and future prosperity for Israel, delivered at a pivotal moment in their history. Unlike individual tribal blessings that precede it, verse 28 offers a summary blessing over Israel as a whole, emphasizing their collective destiny as a divinely protected, distinct nation enjoying abundant provisions in the land. It provides a foundational understanding of their identity and future well-being, directly tied to their covenant relationship with Yahweh amidst the pagan nations they were about to encounter.

Deuteronomy 33 28 Word analysis

• So Israel (וַיִּשְׁכֹּן יִשְׂרָאֵל, vayishkon Yisra'el): "Israel" (יִשְׂרָאֵל, Yisra'el) refers to the collective people, the descendants of Jacob, who received the new name "Israel" after wrestling with God (Gen 32:28). This signifies their identity as a people who "strive with God" and are His chosen nation, heirs of the Abrahamic covenant.
• shall dwell (יִשְׁכֹּן, yishkon): From the root שָׁכַן (shakan), meaning "to settle down," "reside," or "abide." It implies permanence, stability, and peace, reflecting a settled life in contrast to their nomadic wanderings. It also resonates with God "dwelling" among them (the tabernacle, mishkan).
• in safety (בֶּטַח, betach): Meaning "security," "trust," "confidence." It indicates freedom from fear and threat, an assured and unwavering protection that comes from divine reliance. This safety is internal and external, arising from their covenant relationship.
• alone (בָּדָד, badad): This crucial term signifies "solitarily," "isolated," or "separate." It carries significant weight. It implies Israel's uniqueness and distinctiveness among nations, forbidden to integrate with or rely on pagan powers. It is also a polemic against the polytheistic and syncretistic practices of surrounding nations, emphasizing Israel's sole reliance on YHWH for their well-being. Their safety comes from being alone with God, separate from the corrupting influences and false gods of the world.
• the fountain of Jacob (עֵין יַעֲקֹב, eyn Ya'akov): "Fountain" (עֵין, eyn) literally means "eye" or "spring/well." This can metaphorically refer to Jacob himself as the progenitor of the nation, indicating that Israel's very source or origin (their heritage through Jacob and the patriarchs) will be blessed. Alternatively, it signifies a constant flow of blessings springing from their covenantal identity and the faithfulness of their ancestors, or even the spiritual wellspring within Israel itself.
• shall be upon a land of grain (אֶל-אֶרֶץ דָּגָן, el-eretz dagan): "Grain" (דָּגָן, dagan) refers to wheat and barley, staple crops. This signifies abundant agricultural provision, prosperity, and basic sustenance provided directly by God in the Promised Land. It contrasts with their prior dependence on manna in the wilderness.
• and new wine (וְתִירוֹשׁ, w'tiyrosh): "New wine" (tiyrosh) is the fresh, unfermented juice of grapes. It symbolizes joy, festivity, and additional prosperity beyond mere survival. Together, grain and new wine represent a land flowing with abundance and blessing, signifying holistic well-being.
• also his heavens (אַף-שָׁמָיו, af shamayw): "His heavens" implicitly refers to God's heavens, acting on behalf of Israel. It denotes the direct, sovereign control of God over the meteorological conditions that produce life. This is the source of all earthly blessings.
• shall drop down dew (יַעַרְפוּ טָל, ya'arfu tal): "Dew" (tal) is essential moisture in the arid Near East, particularly during dry seasons when rain is scarce. It is a subtle, yet life-sustaining form of divine provision, often appearing quietly and mysteriously. "Drop down" (ya'arfu) implies a gentle, consistent, and pervasive anointing from above. This signifies God's continuous, unseen, yet vital sustenance that brings fertility and refreshment.

Words-group by Words-group analysis

• So Israel shall dwell in safety alone: This phrase encapsulates Israel's unique relationship with God. Their security (betach) is not derived from their strength or alliances, but from their divine separation (badad). This set-apartness ensures God's exclusive protection, contrasting with the reliance on human means by other nations. It speaks to God as Israel's sole refuge.
• the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of grain and new wine: This signifies that the ancestral blessing and the covenant with Jacob (the "fountain") are the wellspring for the nation's tangible, earthly prosperity. The abundant "grain and new wine" are direct outcomes of their covenantal heritage, manifested through God's blessing on the land itself. This isn't earned by human effort alone, but is a gift flowing from their identity as "Jacob's descendants."
• also his heavens shall drop down dew: This points to the ultimate source of their prosperity. The land's fertility and bounty ("grain and new wine") are contingent upon divine providence from above. The "dew" symbolizes a constant, gentle, yet critical form of blessing and sustenance, provided supernaturally when human efforts might fall short, emphasizing God's meticulous care over nature for His people's good. It underscores God's complete sovereignty over the elements that affect their prosperity.

Deuteronomy 33 28 Bonus section

The "dwelling alone" concept carries a spiritual imperative for Israel, forbidding assimilation with the Canaanite nations. It prefigures the New Testament concept of believers being "in the world but not of the world," called to be distinct and separate unto God (Jn 17:16, 1 Pet 2:9-10). The emphasis on "dew" rather than just rain signifies God's gentle, pervasive, and often unseen work in providing sustenance. Dew is typically unseen at its inception, quietly forming overnight, making its provision seem almost miraculous in arid regions; it symbolizes divine blessing that is subtle yet utterly vital and consistently present. The security promised to Israel is thus presented as comprehensive, covering both physical protection from enemies and consistent agricultural abundance, all guaranteed by the direct and singular hand of God Himself.

Deuteronomy 33 28 Commentary

Deuteronomy 33:28 is a rich prophetic blessing by Moses, affirming God's enduring covenant faithfulness to Israel. It promises a secure existence, not from their military might or strategic alliances with other nations, but from their distinct identity as God's separated people (badad), relying exclusively on Him. Their prosperity, symbolized by abundant "grain and new wine," flows not just from fertile land but from "the fountain of Jacob," emphasizing their spiritual lineage and the fulfillment of ancestral promises. Critically, these blessings are sustained by consistent, subtle divine provision—the "dew from heavens"—highlighting God's meticulous care over even the smallest, most essential aspects of their well-being. This verse offers profound reassurance of divine protection and provision for God's chosen people when they walk in obedience and trust solely in Him.