Deuteronomy 33:27
The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.
Original Language Analysis
מְעֹנָה֙
is thy refuge
H4585
מְעֹנָה֙
is thy refuge
Strong's:
H4585
Word #:
1 of 11
an abode, of god (the tabernacle or the temple), men (their home) or animals (their lair); hence, a retreat (asylum)
אֱלֹ֣הֵי
God
H430
אֱלֹ֣הֵי
God
Strong's:
H430
Word #:
2 of 11
gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of
קֶ֔דֶם
The eternal
H6924
קֶ֔דֶם
The eternal
Strong's:
H6924
Word #:
3 of 11
the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the east) or time (antiquity); often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
וּמִתַּ֖חַת
H8478
וּמִתַּ֖חַת
Strong's:
H8478
Word #:
4 of 11
the bottom (as depressed); only adverbially, below (often with prepositional prefix underneath), in lieu of, etc
זְרֹעֹ֣ת
arms
H2220
זְרֹעֹ֣ת
arms
Strong's:
H2220
Word #:
5 of 11
the arm (as stretched out), or (of animals) the foreleg; figuratively, force
עוֹלָ֑ם
and underneath are the everlasting
H5769
עוֹלָ֑ם
and underneath are the everlasting
Strong's:
H5769
Word #:
6 of 11
properly, concealed, i.e., the vanishing point; generally, time out of mind (past or future), i.e., (practically) eternity; frequentatively, adverbial
וַיְגָ֧רֶשׁ
and he shall thrust out
H1644
וַיְגָ֧רֶשׁ
and he shall thrust out
Strong's:
H1644
Word #:
7 of 11
to drive out from a possession; especially to expatriate or divorce
מִפָּנֶ֛יךָ
from before
H6440
מִפָּנֶ֛יךָ
from before
Strong's:
H6440
Word #:
8 of 11
the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and figuratively); also (with prepositional prefix) as a preposi
Cross References
Psalms 18:2The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.Isaiah 25:4For thou hast been a strength to the poor, a strength to the needy in his distress, a refuge from the storm, a shadow from the heat, when the blast of the terrible ones is as a storm against the wall.Psalms 46:1God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.Proverbs 18:10The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.Psalms 91:9Because thou hast made the LORD, which is my refuge, even the most High, thy habitation;Romans 16:20And the God of peace shall bruise Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.1 Peter 1:5Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.Jude 1:24Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy,Isaiah 32:2And a man shall be as an hiding place from the wind, and a covert from the tempest; as rivers of water in a dry place, as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.Isaiah 57:15For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
Historical Context
This blessing preceded Israel's entry into Canaan and conquest of enemy nations. The promise was fulfilled as God fought for Israel (Joshua 10:42). The imagery of God's arms appears throughout Scripture (Isaiah 40:11; 51:5), picturing strength and care. Believers experience this as God sustains through trials—His eternal nature guarantees reliable refuge, and His arms support when human strength fails. The New Testament reveals Christ as the ultimate refuge (Matthew 11:28-30; Hebrews 6:18-20).
Questions for Reflection
- How does experiencing God as refuge and support strengthen you to face opposition?
- What does the imagery of 'everlasting arms' reveal about God's care during difficulties?
Related Resources
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Analysis & Commentary
Moses blesses the tribes, declaring: 'The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.' The imagery combines protection ('refuge,' 'everlasting arms') with offensive action ('thrust out the enemy'). The phrase 'everlasting arms' personifies God's sustaining power as embracing, supporting arms. The juxtaposition of God's eternality with His intimate care reveals divine transcendence and immanence—He's infinitely beyond creation yet personally involved with His people. This promise assured Israel of divine presence in conquest.