Deuteronomy 33:13

Authorized King James Version

And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath,

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וּלְיוֹסֵ֣ף
And of Joseph
joseph, the name of seven israelites
#2
אָמַ֔ר
he said
to say (used with great latitude)
#3
מְבֹרֶ֥כֶת
Blessed
to kneel; by implication to bless god (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as a benefit); also (by euphemism) to curse (god or the king, as
#4
יְהוָֹ֖ה
of the LORD
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
#5
אַרְצ֑וֹ
be his land
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
#6
מִמֶּ֤גֶד
for the precious things
properly, a distinguished thing; hence something valuable, as a product or fruit
#7
שָׁמַ֙יִם֙
of heaven
the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds move, as well as to the higher ether where the celestial bodies r
#8
מִטָּ֔ל
for the dew
dew (as covering vegetation)
#9
וּמִתְּה֖וֹם
and for the deep
an abyss (as a surging mass of water), especially the deep (the main sea or the subterranean watersupply)
#10
רֹבֶ֥צֶת
that coucheth beneath
to crouch (on all four legs folded, like a recumbent animal); by implication, to recline, repose, brood, lurk, imbed
#11
תָּֽחַת׃
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc

Analysis

This verse develops the salvation theme central to Deuteronomy. The concept of divine sovereignty reflects the development of salvation within biblical theology. The divine name or title here functions within biblical literature contributing to the canon's theological witness to establish theological authority and covenantal relationship. The original language emphasizes the covenant name Yahweh, emphasizing God's faithfulness to His promises, providing deeper understanding of the author's theological intention.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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