Deuteronomy Chapter 33 · Verse 28

Authorized King James Version

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Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew.

Original Language Analysis

וַיִּשְׁכֹּן֩ then shall dwell H7931
וַיִּשְׁכֹּן֩ then shall dwell
Strong's: H7931
Word #: 1 of 14
to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל Israel H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֨ל Israel
Strong's: H3478
Word #: 2 of 14
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
בֶּ֤טַח in safety H983
בֶּ֤טַח in safety
Strong's: H983
Word #: 3 of 14
properly, a place of refuge; abstract, safety, both the fact (security) and the feeling (trust); often (adverb with or without preposition) safely
בָּדָד֙ alone H910
בָּדָד֙ alone
Strong's: H910
Word #: 4 of 14
separate; adverb, separately
עֵ֣ין the fountain H5869
עֵ֣ין the fountain
Strong's: H5869
Word #: 5 of 14
an eye (literally or figuratively); by analogy, a fountain (as the eye of the landscape)
יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב of Jacob H3290
יַֽעֲקֹ֔ב of Jacob
Strong's: H3290
Word #: 6 of 14
jaakob, the israelitish patriarch
אֶל H413
אֶל
Strong's: H413
Word #: 7 of 14
near, with or among; often in general, to
אֶ֖רֶץ shall be upon a land H776
אֶ֖רֶץ shall be upon a land
Strong's: H776
Word #: 8 of 14
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
דָּגָ֣ן of corn H1715
דָּגָ֣ן of corn
Strong's: H1715
Word #: 9 of 14
properly, increase, i.e., grain
וְתִיר֑וֹשׁ and wine H8492
וְתִיר֑וֹשׁ and wine
Strong's: H8492
Word #: 10 of 14
must or fresh grape-juice (as just squeezed out); by implication (rarely) fermented wine
אַף H637
אַף
Strong's: H637
Word #: 11 of 14
meaning accession (used as an adverb or conjunction); also or yea; adversatively though
שָׁמָ֖יו also his heavens H8064
שָׁמָ֖יו also his heavens
Strong's: H8064
Word #: 12 of 14
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
יַ֥עַרְפוּ shall drop down H6201
יַ֥עַרְפוּ shall drop down
Strong's: H6201
Word #: 13 of 14
to droop; hence, to drip
טָֽל׃ dew H2919
טָֽל׃ dew
Strong's: H2919
Word #: 14 of 14
dew (as covering vegetation)

Analysis & Commentary

Israel then shall dwell in safety alone—the culmination of Moses's blessing on Israel (Deuteronomy 33), promising security and distinctiveness. The Hebrew betach badad (בֶּטַח בָּדָד) means 'in security, separate/alone.' The fountain of Jacob—the descendants of the patriarch, a nation flowing from one source. Shall be upon a land of corn and wine—agricultural abundance, the staples of Israelite diet. Also his heavens shall drop down dew—moisture essential for Mediterranean agriculture, where dew supplemented limited rainfall.

Moses's final blessing reversed the curses of Deuteronomy 28:23-24 (bronze heavens, earth like iron, dust instead of rain). Obedience brings covenant blessings: security, prosperity, divine provision. The phrase 'dwell alone' didn't mean isolation but distinctiveness—separated unto God, holy among nations. The promise found partial fulfillment during Solomon's reign but ultimate fulfillment awaits Christ's kingdom, when restored Israel dwells securely (Ezekiel 34:25-28, Zechariah 14:11), and the new Jerusalem descends with abundant provision (Revelation 22:1-2).

Historical Context

Pronounced circa 1406 BC in Moses's final blessing before ascending Mount Nebo to die. The blessing on each tribe (33:6-25) concluded with this comprehensive promise for all Israel. The land's abundance—grain, wine, dew—would result from covenant faithfulness and divine blessing. Tragically, Israel's persistent disobedience forfeited these blessings, bringing instead the curses Moses warned of. Only sporadic periods of obedience (under Joshua, David, Solomon, Josiah, Hezekiah) brought temporary enjoyment of the promised security and prosperity.

Questions for Reflection