“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,”
My Notes
What Does Deuteronomy 33:13 Mean?
"Blessed of the LORD be his land, for the precious things of heaven, for the dew, and for the deep that coucheth beneath." Moses' blessing on Joseph is agricultural and geographical: the land Joseph's descendants inhabit will be blessed from every direction. From heaven (rain, dew), from the deep (underground springs, subterranean water sources), and from the sun and moon's seasonal gifts (verse 14). The blessing is three-dimensional: above, below, and around.
The phrase "precious things of heaven" (meged shamayim) uses a word for choice, excellent, supreme quality. The rain that falls on Joseph's land isn't ordinary. It's precious — the best water from the best source. The heaven that provides for Joseph provides its finest.
The "deep that coucheth beneath" (tehom rovetzet tachat) personifies the underground water as an animal lying in wait: the deep crouches below the surface, ready to supply. The water table under Joseph's land is alive, positioned, and available — like a lion that sits beneath the soil, ready to spring up as springs.
Reflection Questions
- 1.What provision is coming to you from a direction you haven't looked?
- 2.What 'deep that coucheth beneath' — hidden, underground resource — is available but untapped?
- 3.How does three-dimensional blessing (above, below, around) change your view of God's provision?
- 4.What 'precious things of heaven' — premium-quality provision — has God sent your way?
Devotional
Blessed from heaven. Blessed from the deep. Water from above and water from below. Joseph's land receives provision from every direction — the sky rains down its best and the underground springs up its reserves. The blessing is three-dimensional.
The 'precious things of heaven' means God doesn't send Joseph's land ordinary rain. He sends the best. The choicest water from the highest source. The provision isn't adequate — it's excellent. The rain that falls on Joseph's territory is premium-grade heaven-water.
The deep that 'coucheth beneath' is one of the Bible's most vivid images: the underground water is personified as an animal lying in wait — coiled, positioned, ready to supply. Beneath the soil of Joseph's inheritance, the deep crouches like a lion waiting to spring. The water table isn't passive. It's alive. It's crouching. It's ready.
The three-dimensional blessing — heaven above, deep below, sun and moon around — means Joseph's land is supplied from every angle. No dimension is excluded from the provision. The sky contributes. The earth contributes. The seasons contribute. The blessing is as comprehensive as the creation that delivers it.
What blessing is being supplied to your life from every direction? Not just from the obvious source (heaven above) but from the hidden source (the deep beneath). What underground spring is crouching below your situation, waiting to supply what the rain from above can't reach? The provision isn't one-directional. It's three-dimensional.
Look up (heaven). Look down (the deep). Look around (the seasons). The blessing is everywhere.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun,.... Which has a wonderful influence upon many and most of the…
Comparing the words of Moses with those of Jacob, it will be seen that the patriarch dwells with emphasis on the severe…
Here is, I. The blessing of Benjamin, Deu 33:12. Benjamin is put next to Levi, because the temple, where the priests'…
13 And of Joseph he said:
Blessed of the Lord be his land,
With the wealth of heaven above,
And the deep that…
Cross References
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