By Larry Barnes in Deuteronomy —

Deuteronomy 33

09/30/2025

I just read Deuteronomy 33 NKJV and some of the blessings are hard to follow or understand. I guess I am just not that familiar with old world blessings. Was this basically Moses praying that these good things would be bestowed on them, or was it more prophetic?

Deuteronomy 33 records Moses' final blessing on the tribes of Israel just before his death, as he prepares them to enter the Promised Land without him. This chapter draws on poetic, ancient Near Eastern styles of blessing that often blend praise for God, historical references, and forward-looking declarations— which can feel archaic or symbolic to modern readers, especially with its tribal-specific imagery tied to geography, roles, or metaphors (e.g., lions, bulls, or mountains representing strength, territory, or prosperity). These aren't casual well-wishes; in the biblical tradition, blessings from figures like Moses (described as "the man of God" in verse 1) carried authoritative weight, similar to Jacob's blessings on his sons in Genesis 49, which are explicitly prophetic about future tribal destinies.

To your main question: It's more prophetic than a simple prayer, though it incorporates prayer-like elements. The text presents Moses as pronouncing these blessings declaratively, often in a visionary or foretelling manner that outlines future outcomes, roles, or divine favors for each tribe. For instance:

  • Reuben: A plea for survival and growth ("Let Reuben live and not die, nor his people be few"), but tied to the tribe's historical vulnerability.
  • Judah: Invokes God to hear their cry and provide help against foes, hinting at future leadership (prophetically fulfilled in the Davidic line and Messiah).
  • Levi: Praises their priestly role in teaching, guarding covenants, and offering sacrifices, with a call to bless their skills and strike down enemies— prophetic of their ongoing religious duties.
  • Benjamin: Security and protection "between [God's] shoulders," foreshadowing their central location near Jerusalem.
  • Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh): Abundant land blessings and military might ("he will gore the nations"), predicting their prominence in northern Israel.
  • Zebulun and Issachar: Prosperity in trade and sacrifices, with maritime and inland themes.
  • Gad: Expansion and lion-like strength, referencing their choice of Transjordan land.
  • Dan: A "lion’s cub" springing from Bashan, suggesting agility and conquest (though later migrations add layers).
  • Naphtali: Full of God's favor, inheriting lake regions southward.
  • Asher: Favored with oil, strong gates, and enduring strength.

The chapter bookends with praise for God's majesty and Israel's unique status, emphasizing His role as refuge and conqueror. While some phrases sound like petitions (e.g., "Hear, Lord" for Judah or "May the Lord bless" for Joseph), the overall tone is prophetic— Moses isn't just hoping or asking; he's declaring God's intentions under divine inspiration, much like a prophet foretelling events. This aligns with how biblical blessings functioned in the "old world" context: They were seen as effectual words that shaped reality, especially from a leader like Moses, rather than mere aspirations.