Deuteronomy Chapter 33 · Verse 27

Authorized King James Version

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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
אוֹיֵ֖ב the enemy H341
אוֹיֵ֖ב the enemy
Strong's: H341
Word #: 9 of 11
hating; an adversary
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר thee and shall say H559
וַיֹּ֥אמֶר thee and shall say
Strong's: H559
Word #: 10 of 11
to say (used with great latitude)
הַשְׁמֵֽד׃ Destroy H8045
הַשְׁמֵֽד׃ Destroy
Strong's: H8045
Word #: 11 of 11
to desolate

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.

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