Deuteronomy 33:26
There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun, who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky.
Original Language Analysis
כָּאֵ֖ל
There is none like unto the God
H410
כָּאֵ֖ל
There is none like unto the God
Strong's:
H410
Word #:
2 of 8
strength; as adjective, mighty; especially the almighty (but used also of any deity)
רֹכֵ֤ב
who rideth
H7392
רֹכֵ֤ב
who rideth
Strong's:
H7392
Word #:
4 of 8
to ride (on an animal or in a vehicle); causatively, to place upon (for riding or generally), to despatch
שָׁמַ֙יִם֙
upon the heaven
H8064
שָׁמַ֙יִם֙
upon the heaven
Strong's:
H8064
Word #:
5 of 8
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
Cross References
Jeremiah 10:6Forasmuch as there is none like unto thee, O LORD; thou art great, and thy name is great in might.Exodus 15:11Who is like unto thee, O LORD, among the gods? who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?Habakkuk 3:8Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was thine anger against the rivers? was thy wrath against the sea, that thou didst ride upon thine horses and thy chariots of salvation?Psalms 104:3Who layeth the beams of his chambers in the waters: who maketh the clouds his chariot: who walketh upon the wings of the wind:Isaiah 19:1The burden of Egypt. Behold, the LORD rideth upon a swift cloud, and shall come into Egypt: and the idols of Egypt shall be moved at his presence, and the heart of Egypt shall melt in the midst of it.Psalms 86:8Among the gods there is none like unto thee, O Lord; neither are there any works like unto thy works.Isaiah 40:18To whom then will ye liken God? or what likeness will ye compare unto him?Isaiah 40:25To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One.Deuteronomy 32:15But Jeshurun waxed fat, and kicked: thou art waxen fat, thou art grown thick, thou art covered with fatness; then he forsook God which made him, and lightly esteemed the Rock of his salvation.Isaiah 66:8Who hath heard such a thing? who hath seen such things? Shall the earth be made to bring forth in one day? or shall a nation be born at once? for as soon as Zion travailed, she brought forth her children.
Historical Context
This verse functions as a theological climax before Moses's death narrative. The 'rider of the clouds' language directly confronts Canaanite religion, where Baal was titled 'cloud-rider' (Ugaritic texts). Moses declares YHWH's supremacy over all supposed storm gods. The poetic style resembles ancient Near Eastern divine warrior hymns but radically reinterprets them within monotheistic covenant theology. Later, Jesus applies this cloud imagery to Himself (Daniel 7:13; Mark 14:62), claiming divine authority.
Questions for Reflection
- What modern 'gods' claim power over creation, and how does YHWH's uniqueness challenge those false securities?
- How does understanding God's transcendence ('riding the heavens') affect your confidence in His ability to help you?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun—After blessing individual tribes, Moses concludes with a hymn celebrating Israel's incomparable God. Jeshurun (upright one) is a poetic name for Israel (Deuteronomy 32:15; Isaiah 44:2), emphasizing their covenant identity, not ethnic origin. Ein ka'El Yeshurun establishes monotheistic uniqueness—Israel's God has no peer, rival, or equal among the nations' false deities.
Who rideth upon the heaven in thy help, and in his excellency on the sky—Rokhev shamayim (rider of the heavens) was a title claimed by Canaanite Baal, the storm god. Moses deliberately appropriates this imagery, asserting YHWH's supremacy over weather deities. The Hebrew shechaqim (clouds/skies) emphasizes God's transcendence and power. Unlike impotent idols, Israel's God controls nature itself, deploying creation be'ezreka (in your help)—for covenant purposes, delivering His people.