Deuteronomy 33 6

Deuteronomy 33:6 kjv

Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.

Deuteronomy 33:6 nkjv

"Let Reuben live, and not die, Nor let his men be few."

Deuteronomy 33:6 niv

"Let Reuben live and not die, nor his people be few."

Deuteronomy 33:6 esv

"Let Reuben live, and not die, but let his men be few."

Deuteronomy 33:6 nlt

Moses said this about the tribe of Reuben: "Let the tribe of Reuben live and not die out,
though they are few in number."

Deuteronomy 33 verses

Deuteronomy 33 6 Meaning

Deuteronomy 33:6 conveys Moses' prophetic blessing upon the tribe of Reuben. It is a prayer and a declaration that Reuben would not perish as a tribal entity and would remain numerous. This verse wishes for their continued existence and prosperity, both physically and numerically, counteracting past threats to their survival and ensuring their place among the tribes of Israel.

Deuteronomy 33 6 Context

Deuteronomy 33:6 is part of Moses' farewell address and his final prophetic blessings pronounced over the twelve tribes of Israel before his death on Mount Nebo. This chapter serves as a testament to God's enduring covenant faithfulness. Each blessing addresses specific characteristics, past historical events, or future prospects unique to the respective tribe. For Reuben, as the firstborn, his tribal history was marked by Jacob's strong rebuke (Gen 49:3-4) for defiling his father's bed (Gen 35:22), leading to the forfeiture of his birthright preeminence. Furthermore, a significant rebellion against Moses led by Korah, Dathan, and Abiram (all Reubenites) saw a large segment of the tribe perish when the earth swallowed them (Num 16:1-35), posing a severe threat to the tribe's very existence. Added to this, Reuben chose to settle east of the Jordan (Num 32:1-5), geographically separating themselves from the main inheritance in Canaan, which could have led to their dwindling or absorption. Moses' blessing here serves as a powerful divine assurance, mitigating the past and ensuring Reuben's fundamental preservation and viability within the community of Israel.

Deuteronomy 33 6 Word analysis

• Let Reuben: Hebrew: יְחִי רְאוּבֵן (yechî Re'ûbēn). "Yechî" is a jussive form of the verb "to live," conveying a wish, prayer, or command. It is a heartfelt appeal for the continued existence of the tribe of Reuben. "Reuben" (רְאוּבֵן, Re'uven) means "Behold a son" (Gen 29:32), marking him as the firstborn. This wish specifically addresses his status as a tribe, not merely an individual.
• live: Hebrew: יְחִי (yechî). The root is חָיָה (chayah), meaning to live, be alive, exist, survive, or thrive. This word emphasizes a dynamic, vital existence, not merely a state of non-death. It is a plea for prosperity and continuation, especially significant given Reuben's past struggles and challenges to his lineage and standing.
• and not die: Hebrew: וְאַל יָמֹת (vᵉ'al yamôth). This phrase directly counters the threat of tribal extinction or severe diminishment. The word "die" (מָוֶת, mavet) implies ceasing to exist as a viable entity. Coming after the "live" injunction, it is a double emphasis, firmly opposing any form of decimation or disappearance that threatened the tribe, particularly in light of events like the Korah rebellion.
• and let not his men be few: Hebrew: וִיהִי מְתָיו מִסְפָּר (vîhiy mᵉthâv mispār). The literal Hebrew translates to "and let his men be a number." Interpreters debate the precise nuance of "mispar" (number, count). In the context of a blessing and its contrast with "not die," the prevailing scholarly understanding, supported by translations like the KJV and NIV, is that it implies "not few" or "may they be numerous." A small number might be "a number" easily counted, thus "few," but within a blessing context, it rather signifies being sufficiently numerous to warrant being counted among the tribes and to thrive. It implies significant numerical strength and vitality, avoiding dwindling into insignificance.

• "Let Reuben live, and not die": This powerful pairing is a prophetic plea for the continued existence and vitality of the tribe of Reuben. It addresses the existential threat posed by past failures (Jacob's curse) and divine judgment (Korah's rebellion), ensuring that despite these, Reuben would remain a distinct and surviving tribe within Israel. It affirms divine mercy and a future for Reuben, even though his preeminence was lost.
• "and let not his men be few": This phrase amplifies the former by focusing on the numerical strength and sustainability of the tribe. It signifies that Reuben's continued existence will not be merely symbolic or token, but robust and vital, with sufficient numbers to contribute to the nation. This counters the possibility of them fading into obscurity or becoming too small to effectively function or hold their land, especially after choosing territory east of the Jordan, somewhat separated from the other tribes. The blessing ensures that their distinctness does not lead to decimation.

Deuteronomy 33 6 Bonus section

• Contrasting Blessings: This blessing provides a striking contrast to Jacob's more condemning prophecy for Reuben in Gen 49:3-4. While Jacob's words focused on Reuben's forfeited birthright and "instability," Moses' blessing bypasses the preeminence issue and instead assures the tribe's basic survival and vitality. This reflects a shift from a patriarchal assessment to a divine prophetic assurance on the cusp of nationhood.
• Significance for Tribal Identity: Despite Reuben's geographically separate inheritance east of the Jordan (Num 32), Moses' blessing implicitly affirms their continued membership and significance within the collective nation of Israel. It guards against their assimilation or decline due to physical separation, reinforcing their covenantal bond.
• Theological Principle of Preservation: The blessing exemplifies a key biblical principle: God's desire to preserve His people and uphold His covenant, even when human actions (like Reuben's sins and rebellion) could warrant complete demise. It showcases divine patience and mercy in maintaining a remnant and a future for the tribes.
• Fulfilled Through History: The continued mention of Reuben throughout subsequent biblical history and even in eschatological visions (e.g., Rev 7:5) indicates the fulfillment of this prayer—the tribe persisted and remained a recognized part of Israel.

Deuteronomy 33 6 Commentary

Moses' blessing for Reuben in Deuteronomy 33:6 stands as a profound declaration of God's preserving grace, especially noteworthy given Reuben's tumultuous history. While Jacob's prophecy highlighted Reuben's instability and loss of primacy, Moses here does not restore that preeminence but rather secures the tribe's very right to exist and thrive. It is a prayer against extinction and for population robustness, counteracting the shadows of past sin (like Gen 35:22), the consequences of rebellion (Num 16:1-35 where many Reubenites were consumed by the earth), and the potential isolation of their settlement choice (Num 32:1-5). The phrase "let Reuben live, and not die" expresses a desire for their perpetual identity and vitality within the covenant community. "Let not his men be few" then speaks to their demographic health, ensuring they would not diminish to the point of irrelevance or vanish altogether. This blessing underlines God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant people, preserving them despite their failings, and emphasizing His desire for their flourishing and continuity as distinct components of Israel.This blessing echoes in God's broader promise to His people to be fruitful and multiply, showcasing His desire for their abundant life (e.g., Jer 30:19, Lev 26:9). It serves as a reminder that divine mercy can counter even deep-seated consequences of sin, offering hope for restoration and endurance for communities or individuals facing decline or marginalization.