Bless, LORD, his substance, and accept the work of his hands: smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again.

DEUTERONOMY 33:11KJV
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Deuteronomy 33:11 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 33:11 mean?

Deuteronomy 33:11 is a prayer asking the LORD to bless Levi’s resources, accept his work, and defeat those who oppose him so they cannot rise again. The verse asks for God’s favor on Levi’s efforts and protection from enemies who hate or attack him.

In this verse, Moses is blessing the tribe of Levi before his death, as part of his final blessings to each tribe of Israel. Levi’s role included caring for the sanctuary and performing religious duties, so Moses asks the LORD (H3068) to bless their “substance” (H2428, meaning strength or resources) and to accept the “work” (H6467) of their “hands” (H3027). Moses also asks God to strike down (“smite,” H4272) those who rise against Levi, ensuring their enemies do not recover.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 33:11

  • “Substance” (חַיִל, ḥayil, H2428) often means strength, wealth, or resources. Here, it points to the material and personal resources of the Levites, not just money but also their abilities and standing.
  • “Accept” (רָצָה, ratsah, H7521) means to take pleasure in or be pleased with. Moses is asking God to be pleased with the Levites’ service, not just to allow it but to truly accept it.
  • “Smite” (מָחַץ, machats, H4272) means to strike or crush. The prayer is for God to decisively defeat those who oppose the Levites, not just to hinder them.
  • “Loins” (מָתְנַיִם, motnayim, H4975) is a physical term, but often represents strength or the seat of power. Striking the loins is a way of saying to break the strength of their enemies.

Why Deuteronomy 33:11 matters

  • This verse highlights the special role of the Levites and the need for God’s approval and protection in their work, which was central to Israel’s worship life.
  • The prayer for God to “accept the work of his hands” shows that even religious service needs God’s favor, not just human effort.
  • The strong language about defeating enemies underlines the real dangers the Levites faced and the importance of God’s intervention for their safety and effectiveness.

Where else these words appear

“smite” Hebrew H4272 · used in 14 verses

  • Numbers 24:8 God brought him forth out of Egypt; he hath as it were the strength of an unicorn: he shall eat up the nations his enemies, and shall break their bones, and pierce them through with his arrows.
  • 2 Samuel 22:39 And I have consumed them, and wounded them, that they could not arise: yea, they are fallen under my feet.
  • Psalms 68:21 But God shall wound the head of his enemies, and the hairy scalp of such an one as goeth on still in his trespasses.

“not” Hebrew H4480 · used in 25 verses

  • Genesis 2:6 But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.
  • Leviticus 9:10 But the fat, and the kidneys, and the caul above the liver of the sin offering, he burnt upon the altar; as the LORD commanded Moses.
  • 1 Kings 6:16 And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built them for it within, even for the oracle, even for the most holy place.

“work” Hebrew H6467 · used in 38 verses

  • Deuteronomy 32:4 He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.
  • Psalms 44:1 To the chief Musician for the sons of Korah, Maschil. We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.
  • Proverbs 24:12 If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

“loins” Hebrew H4975 · used in 45 verses

  • Genesis 37:34 And Jacob rent his clothes, and put sackcloth upon his loins, and mourned for his son many days.
  • Job 12:18 He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.
  • Jeremiah 48:37 For every head shall be bald, and every beard clipped: upon all the hands shall be cuttings, and upon the loins sackcloth.