Deuteronomy 33:18

Concerning Zebulun he said: “Rejoice, Zebulun, in your journeys, and Issachar, in your tents.

Berean Standard Bible

Study note

Setting — Moses blesses the tribes of Israel, addressing Zebulun and Issachar immediately after praising Ephraim and Manasseh. This occurs during his final prophetic address before his death.

The words — The Hebrew imperative שְׂמַח (śəmaḥ) commands "rejoice," paired with בְּצֵאתֶךָ (bəṣēṯeḵā, "in your journeys/outgoings") for Zebulun and בְּאָהָלֶיךָ (bəʾāhālêḵā, "in your tents") for Issachar.

The thread — This blessing aligns with Zebulun’s coastal trade route in Genesis 49:13 and Joshua 19:11, while the tribal movement echoes the battle hymn of Judges 5:14.

Why it lands — The text commands the tribes to find joy in their distinct callings—Zebulun in travel and commerce, Issachar in settlement and labor. It requires readers to recognize that divine blessing operates through both movement and stability.

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

וְלִזְבוּלֻ֣ןve./li/z.vu.Lunand/ of/ Zebulun אָמַ֔ר'a.Marhe said שְׂמַ֥חse.Machrejoice זְבוּלֻ֖ןze.vu.LunO Zebulun בְּצֵאתֶ֑ךָbe./tze.Te./khawhen/ going out/ you וְיִשָּׂשכָ֖רve./yi.so.sh.Kharand/ Issachar בְּאֹהָלֶֽיךָ׃be./'o.ha.Lei./khain/ tents/ your

King James Version

And of Zebulun he said, Rejoice, Zebulun, in thy going out; and, Issachar, in thy tents.

Cross-references

Genesis 49:13 Zebulun shall dwell by the seashore and become a harbor for ships; his border shall extend to Sidon.
Joshua 19:11 It went up westward to Maralah, reached Dabbesheth, and met the brook east of Jokneam.
Judges 5:14 Some came from Ephraim, with their roots in Amalek; Benjamin came with your people after you. The commanders came down from Machir, the bearers of the marshal’s staff from Zebulun.