Deuteronomy 33:29
Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency! and thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee; and thou shalt tread upon their high places.
Original Language Analysis
אַשְׁרֶ֨יךָ
Happy
H835
אַשְׁרֶ֨יךָ
Happy
Strong's:
H835
Word #:
1 of 19
happiness; only in masculine plural construction as interjection, how happy!
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל
art thou O Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֜ל
art thou O Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
2 of 19
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
מִ֣י
H4310
מִ֣י
Strong's:
H4310
Word #:
3 of 19
who? (occasionally, by a peculiar idiom, of things); also (indefinitely) whoever; often used in oblique construction with prefix or suffix
עַ֚ם
who is like unto thee O people
H5971
עַ֚ם
who is like unto thee O people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
5 of 19
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
נוֹשַׁ֣ע
saved
H3467
נוֹשַׁ֣ע
saved
Strong's:
H3467
Word #:
6 of 19
properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e., (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or succor
בַּֽיהוָ֔ה
by the LORD
H3068
בַּֽיהוָ֔ה
by the LORD
Strong's:
H3068
Word #:
7 of 19
(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god
מָגֵ֣ן
the shield
H4043
מָגֵ֣ן
the shield
Strong's:
H4043
Word #:
8 of 19
a shield (i.e., the small one or buckler); figuratively, a protector; also the scaly hide of the crocodile
וַֽאֲשֶׁר
H834
וַֽאֲשֶׁר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
10 of 19
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
חֶ֖רֶב
and who is the sword
H2719
חֶ֖רֶב
and who is the sword
Strong's:
H2719
Word #:
11 of 19
drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement
גַּֽאֲוָתֶ֑ךָ
of thy excellency
H1346
גַּֽאֲוָתֶ֑ךָ
of thy excellency
Strong's:
H1346
Word #:
12 of 19
arrogance or majesty; by implication, (concretely) ornament
וְיִכָּֽחֲשׁ֤וּ
shall be found liars
H3584
וְיִכָּֽחֲשׁ֤וּ
shall be found liars
Strong's:
H3584
Word #:
13 of 19
to be untrue, in word (to lie, feign, disown) or deed (to disappoint, fail, cringe)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
17 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
Cross References
Isaiah 45:17But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end.Isaiah 12:2Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; he also is become my salvation.2 Samuel 7:23And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?Psalms 33:20Our soul waiteth for the LORD: he is our help and our shield.Psalms 66:3Say unto God, How terrible art thou in thy works! through the greatness of thy power shall thine enemies submit themselves unto thee.Psalms 84:11For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly.Psalms 18:44As soon as they hear of me, they shall obey me: the strangers shall submit themselves unto me.Genesis 15:1After these things the word of the LORD came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.Deuteronomy 32:13He made him ride on the high places of the earth, that he might eat the increase of the fields; and he made him to suck honey out of the rock, and oil out of the flinty rock;Habakkuk 3:19The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds' feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.
Historical Context
Spoken circa 1406 BC as Moses's final word to Israel before his death. The promise of treading on high places anticipated conquest of Canaanite fortresses and destruction of idolatrous shrines. Joshua partially fulfilled this, destroying cities and eliminating Canaanite worship centers. Yet complete fulfillment eluded Israel due to incomplete obedience (Judges 1 catalogs numerous failures to drive out inhabitants). The blessing's ultimate realization awaits Christ's return, when enemies become His footstool (Psalm 110:1, 1 Corinthians 15:25) and God's people reign with Him (Revelation 5:10, 20:4-6).
Questions for Reflection
- What makes Israel (and by extension, the church) uniquely blessed among all peoples? How should this create gratitude?
- How do the metaphors of God as shield and sword inform Christian spiritual warfare (Ephesians 6:10-18)?
- In what ways does the church fulfill the promises given to Israel, and in what ways does ethnic Israel retain distinct promises?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Happy art thou, O Israel: who is like unto thee, O people saved by the LORD—the Hebrew ashrecha (אַשְׁרֶיךָ) means blessed, fortunate, happy. Israel's unique privilege: salvation by Yahweh Himself, not mere human deliverance. The shield of thy help, and who is the sword of thy excellency!—military metaphors depicting God as both defensive protector and offensive warrior ensuring victory. And thine enemies shall be found liars unto thee—hostile nations' boasts would prove empty. And thou shalt tread upon their high places—conquering enemies' fortified positions and pagan shrines.
This beatitude climaxes Deuteronomy, celebrating Israel's incomparable status as God's redeemed people. The rhetorical question 'Who is like thee?' echoes Moses's earlier song: 'Who is like You, O LORD, among the gods?' (Exodus 15:11). Israel's uniqueness derived from their God's uniqueness. Peter applies this to the church: 'You are a chosen people... that you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light' (1 Peter 2:9). Both Israel and church are 'peoples saved by the LORD,' objects of divine election and redemption.