Deuteronomy 33:1
INTRODUCTION TO DEUTERONOMY 33
This chapter relates the blessings Moses pronounced upon the people of Israel a little before his death; first, in general, on account of their having a law given them in so glorious a manner, De 33:1; then, in particular, each of the tribes distinctly is blessed, Reuben, De 33:6; Judah, De 33:7; Levi, De 33:8; Benjamin, De 33:12; Joseph, De 33:13; Zebulun and Issachar, De 33:18; Gad, De 33:20; Dan, De 33:22; Naphtali, De 33:23; Asher, De 33:24; and the chapter is concluded with some strong intimations of what God was unto the people of Israel in general, and of what he had done and would do for them; all which are expressive of their great happiness, De 33:26.
Ver. 1. And this is the blessing wherewith Moses the man of God blessed the children of Israel before his death. Namely, what is related in the following verses, this being the general title to the chapter: Moses is called "the man of God", being raised up of God, and eminently qualified by him with girls for the work he was called unto, and by whom he was inspired to say what is after expressed: it is a title given to prophets, 1Sa 9:6; and so Onkelos here paraphrases it,
"Moses the prophet of the Lord,''
and Aben Ezra observes, that this is said to show that he blessed Israel by a spirit of prophecy, and which he did a little before his death, when very near it; and, as the same writer says, on the very day of his death.