Moses Blesses the Twelve Tribes
The blessing begins by naming Moses’s final act, then recalls the LORD’s appearing, His love for the people, the gift of the law, and His kingship over assembled Israel.
T1his is the blessing that Moses the man of God pronounced upon the Israelites before his death. 2He said: 3Surely You love the people; 4the law that Moses gave us, 5So the LORD became King in Jeshurun
Moses asks that Reuben remain alive and endure, even if the tribe is small.
6Let Reuben live and not die,
Moses asks the LORD to hear Judah, bring him home among his people, and help him against his enemies.
7And concerning Judah he said:
Levi is tied to the sacred signs of judgment, remembered for tested loyalty, and entrusted with teaching, incense, and sacrifice. Moses asks the LORD to bless Levi’s strength and strike down those who rise against him.
8Concerning Levi he said: 9He said of his father and mother, 10He will teach Your ordinances to Jacob 11Bless his substance, O LORD,
Benjamin is named beloved of the LORD, sheltered all day long, and held close in safety.
12Concerning Benjamin he said:
Joseph receives a rich blessing of dew, deep waters, harvests, mountains, earth’s fullness, and favor from the One in the bush. His strength is pictured like a powerful bull whose horns drive the peoples to the ends of the earth.
13Concerning Joseph he said: 14with the bountiful harvest from the sun 15with the best of the ancient mountains 16with the choice gifts of the land and everything in it, 17His majesty is like a firstborn bull,
Zebulun is blessed in going out and Issachar in staying at home; together they draw peoples to worship and enjoy the sea’s abundance and hidden riches.
18Concerning Zebulun he said: 19They will call the peoples to a mountain;
Gad is blessed as one whose borders are widened, strong like a lion and resolute in battle. He chose a prime portion and acted with Israel in carrying out the LORD’s justice.
20Concerning Gad he said: 21He chose the best land for himself,
Dan is compared to a lion’s cub springing out from Bashan.
22Concerning Dan he said:
Naphtali is filled with favor and the LORD’s blessing, and receives a broad inheritance.
23Concerning Naphtali he said:
Asher is favored among his brothers, rich enough to dip his foot in oil, and secured with strong gates. His strength is asked to match his days.
24And concerning Asher he said: 25May the bolts of your gate be iron and bronze,
The chapter ends with praise for the incomparable God of Jeshurun, who rides to help, shelters His people, and drives out their enemies. Because of Him, Israel lives secure, fruitful, and uniquely blessed among the nations.
26“There is none like the God of Jeshurun, 27The eternal God is your dwelling place, 28So Israel dwells securely; 29Blessed are you, O Israel!