Deuteronomy 33:13
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This verse highlights that the land promised to Joseph is blessed not just from above by the heavens, but also from below by the "deep that couches beneath." This imagery points to a blessing that's foundational and life-giving, suggesting a fertility that springs from the very core of the earth, mirroring God's deep, sustaining provision for His people.
And of Joseph he said, “Blessed by the LORD be his land, with the choicest gifts of heaven above, and of the deep that crouches beneath,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Moses is delivering his final blessings to the twelve tribes of Israel before his death. This passage is a poetic prophecy, echoing and expanding on Jacob's earlier blessings in Genesis 49. After blessing the other tribes, Moses turns to Joseph, representing the large and influential tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, to pronounce a special blessing upon their inheritance.
What if the very ground beneath your feet and the sky above were guaranteed to provide for you? Moses’ blessing on Joseph’s land paints a picture of incredible provision.
Moses blesses the land of Joseph not just with general favor, but with specific, abundant gifts.
Gifts from Heaven
Gifts from the Deep
This dual blessing – from the heavens above and the depths below – highlights that God is the ultimate source of all provision, both visible and hidden. He orchestrates the entire system of nature to bring forth life and abundance.
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Beyond the land itself, Moses sees something remarkable in Joseph’s descendants – a unique strength and leadership.
Moses’ blessing extends beyond the physical land to the people of Joseph, foreseeing their strength and influence.
A Victorious Future
Leading the Nations
Understand the original words
meborechet · Hebrew Adjective
To be endowed with divine favor, prosperity, and spiritual fruitfulness. It denotes a state of being in alignment with God's will and receiving His life-giving grace.
eretz · Hebrew Noun
In a biblical context, land represents a place of dwelling, inheritance, and sustenance provided by God. It is often linked to the fulfillment of covenant promises and the manifestation of God’s provision.
shamayim · Hebrew Noun
The entirety of the physical universe created by God, acting as the source of dew, rain, and light. It represents the domain from which God sends spiritual and physical blessings upon the earth.
tehom · Hebrew Noun
Refers to the primeval waters or the vast underground reservoirs of water, symbolizing the hidden resources and sustaining life-forces God has placed within the created order.
Moses' prophecy about Joseph's land, rich with heavenly and earthly bounty, directly reflects the fertile territories assigned to Ephraim and Manasseh after the conquest of Canaan and foreshadows the enduring prosperity God intended for them.
~1446 BC— this verse
Moses Blesses the Tribes
Standing on the plains of Moab, shortly before his death, Moses blesses each of the twelve tribes of Israel, prophesying their future blessings and character. This is the immediate context for the verse.
~1446 BC
Division of the Land
Following Moses' blessings, the land of Canaan is divided by lot among the twelve tribes, with the tribes of Joseph (Ephraim and Manasseh) receiving significant territories.
c. 1400 BC
Conquest of Canaan Completed
The Israelites, under Joshua's leadership, complete the military conquest of Canaan, establishing their presence in the promised land.
c. 1000 BC
United Monarchy
The tribes are united under King David, with Jerusalem as the capital. The prominence of Judah grows, while Joseph (especially Ephraim) remains influential.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divides
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into two: the Northern Kingdom of Israel (ten tribes, including Joseph) and the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
722 BC
Assyrian Conquest of Northern Kingdom
The Assyrian Empire conquers the Northern Kingdom of Israel, deporting many of its inhabitants, including the majority of the tribes of Joseph.
This passage directly echoes the blessing of Joseph by his father Jacob, highlighting the same themes of heavenly favor and the bounty of the earth.
Psalm 104:13This Psalm speaks of God watering the earth from His heavenly chambers, which resonates with the imagery of blessings from both heaven above and the deep waters below in Deuteronomy 33:13.
Song of Solomon 4:16The imagery of the 'north wind' and 'south wind' stirring the garden's fragrance finds a parallel in the abundant gifts and blessings bestowed upon Joseph's land, representing a reciprocal relationship of giving and receiving.
Isaiah 44:3This prophetic passage promises God pouring out His Spirit like water and His blessing on offspring, mirroring the theme of divine provision and fruitfulness for Joseph's descendants.
calvinDeuteronomy 33:1-29: "And this is the blessing, wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death."
And for the precious things of the earth, and fullness 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.
Et ob prastantiam terrae, et ob plenitudinem ejus: et beneplacitum habitatoris rubi veniat super caput Joseph, et super ver…
ellicottDeuteronomy 33:13: "And of Joseph he said, Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath,"
(13) And of Joseph he said. —The remark of Rashi is especially applicable here. “Thou wilt find in the case of all the tribes, that the blessing of Moses is drawn from the fountain of the blessing of Jacob.” As the voice of Judah, the office of Levi, and the situation of Benjamin are singled out for notice, so the land of Joseph is…
This verse highlights that the land promised to Joseph is blessed not just from above by the heavens, but also from below by the "deep that couches beneath." This imagery points to a blessing that's foundational and life-giving, suggesting a fertility that springs from the very core of the earth, mirroring God's deep, sustaining provision for His people.
Moses is delivering his final blessings to the twelve tribes of Israel before his death. This passage is a poetic prophecy, echoing and expanding on Jacob's earlier blessings in Genesis 49. After blessing the other tribes, Moses turns to Joseph, representing the large and influential tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, to pronounce a special blessing upon their inheritance.
Moses is delivering his final blessings to the twelve tribes of Israel before his death. This passage is a poetic prophecy, echoing and expanding on Jacob's earlier blessings in Genesis 49. After blessing the other tribes, Moses turns to Joseph, representing the large and influential tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, to pronounce a special blessing upon their inheritance.
"And of Joseph he said,
“Blessed by the LORD be his land,
with the choicest gifts of heaven above,
and of the deep that crouches beneath," — This verse highlights that the land promised to Joseph is blessed not just from above by the heavens, but also from below by the "deep that couches beneath." This imagery points to a blessing that's…
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Last reviewed October 2026