Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 33:17
His majesty is like a firstborn bull, and his horns are like those of a wild ox. With them he will gore the nations, even to the ends of the earth. Such are the myriads of Ephraim, and such are the thousands of Manasseh.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses pronounces a final blessing on the tribes of Israel from the plains of Moab, specifically addressing the descendants of Joseph after crowning the "prince of his brothers" in the preceding verse.
The words — The Hebrew terms בְּכֹר (be.khor, "firstborn") and שׁוֹר (shor, "bull") establish the animal metaphor, while קַרְנֵי (qarne, "horns") and יְנַגַּח (yennaġaĥ, "he will gore") describe the physical action of the horns.
The thread — This horned beast imagery parallels the strength that delivered Israel from Egypt (Numbers 23:22) and later inspired the iron horns Zedekiah forged to symbolize divine judgment (1 Kings 22:11).
Why it lands — The verse states that Ephraim and Manasseh will defeat distant nations through the power granted to Joseph, demanding the reader acknowledge that tribal military success originates solely from the blessing pronounced upon them.
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
His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.
Cross-references
- Numbers 23:22 God brought them out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox.
- 1 Kings 22:11 Now Zedekiah son of Chenaanah had made for himself iron horns and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans until they are finished off.’”
- Psalms 44:5 Through You we repel our foes; through Your name we trample our enemies.
- Genesis 48:19 But his father refused. “I know, my son, I know!” he said. “He too shall become a people, and he too shall be great; nevertheless, his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his offspring shall become a multitude of nations.”
- Numbers 24:8 God brought him out of Egypt with strength like a wild ox, to devour hostile nations and crush their bones, to pierce them with arrows.
- 1 Chronicles 5:1 These were the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel. Though he was the firstborn, his birthright was given to the sons of Joseph son of Israel, because Reuben defiled his father’s bed. So he is not reckoned according to birthright.
- Psalms 92:10 But You have exalted my horn like that of a wild ox; with fine oil I have been anointed.
- Numbers 26:34 These were the clans of Manasseh, and their registration numbered 52,700.
- Numbers 26:37 These were the clans of Ephraim, and their registration numbered 32,500. These clans were the descendants of Joseph.
- 2 Chronicles 18:10 Now Zedekiah son of Chenaanah had made for himself iron horns and declared, “This is what the LORD says: ‘With these you shall gore the Arameans until they are finished off.’”