Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 33:16
with the choice gifts of the land and everything in it, and with the favor of Him who dwelt in the burning bush. May these rest on the head of Joseph and crown the brow of the prince of his brothers.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses pronounces a tribal blessing over Joseph on the plains of Moab, concluding his final address to Israel before his death.
The words — The Hebrew מִמְּגֶד אֶרֶץ (mi-meged ereẕ) literally means "from the excellent gift of the earth," while רְצוֹן שֹׁכְנֵי סְנֶה (reẕôn shokhēnē sēneh) translates as "the favor of the One who dwelt in the bush."
The thread — This phrasing directly parallels the "bounty of the everlasting hills" in Genesis 49:26 and recalls the theophany recorded in Exodus 3:2.
Why it lands — The text states that physical provision and divine presence are intentionally directed toward Joseph's lineage, requiring the reader to acknowledge that tribal authority and earthly blessing flow from God's covenant faithfulness.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And for the precious things of the earth and fulness thereof, and for the good will of him that dwelt in the bush: let the blessing come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the top of the head of him that was separated from his brethren.
Cross-references
- Exodus 3:2 There the angel of the LORD appeared to him in a blazing fire from within a bush. Moses saw the bush ablaze with fire, but it was not consumed.
- Acts 7:35 This Moses, whom they had rejected with the words, ‘Who made you ruler and judge?’ is the one whom God sent to be their ruler and redeemer through the angel who appeared to him in the bush.
- Genesis 49:26 The blessings of your father have surpassed the blessings of the ancient mountains and the bounty of the everlasting hills. May they rest on the head of Joseph, on the brow of the prince of his brothers.
- Psalms 24:1 A Psalm of David. The earth is the LORD’s, and the fullness thereof, the world and all who dwell therein.
- Genesis 37:28 So when the Midianite traders passed by, his brothers pulled Joseph out of the pit and sold him for twenty shekels of silver to the Ishmaelites, who took him to Egypt.
- Genesis 37:36 Meanwhile, the Midianites sold Joseph in Egypt to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh and captain of the guard.
- Genesis 39:2 And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master.
- Genesis 43:32 They separately served Joseph, his brothers, and the Egyptians. They ate separately because the Egyptians would not eat with the Hebrews, since that was detestable to them.
- Genesis 45:9 Now return quickly to my father and tell him, ‘This is what your son Joseph says: God has made me lord of all Egypt. Come down to me without delay.
- Psalms 50:12 If I were hungry, I would not tell you, for the world is Mine, and the fullness thereof.