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,

DEUTERONOMY 33:13KJV
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Deuteronomy 33:13 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 33:13 mean?

Deuteronomy 33:13 describes a blessing spoken over Joseph, asking that his land be especially favored by the LORD with valuable gifts from above and below—like dew from the sky and water from the depths. The verse highlights the wish for Joseph’s territory to be fruitful and richly provided for by God.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the tribes of Israel before his death, giving each tribe a special blessing. For Joseph, Moses calls for God’s favor to rest on his land, mentioning both heavenly and earthly sources of blessing. The language points to a hope for abundant crops and prosperity, drawing attention to the importance of both rain and underground water in making the land productive.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 33:13

  • "Blessed" (בָּרוּךְ, barukh): This word means to be favored or endowed with good things, emphasizing that the blessing is not just a wish but a declaration of God’s active favor.
  • "Things" (מִגְדָּנִים, migdanim): This word refers to precious or valuable things, often understood as the best produce or treasures, highlighting the richness Moses desires for Joseph’s land.
  • "Dew" (טָל, tal): Dew was crucial in the ancient Near East for agriculture, especially in dry seasons. Mentioning dew stresses the need for God’s ongoing provision.
  • "Deep" (תְּהוֹם, tehom): This word refers to the subterranean waters or the depths beneath the earth, pointing to underground springs or sources of water that would make the land fertile.

Why Deuteronomy 33:13 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the blessings for Joseph are both spiritual and very practical, focusing on the land’s ability to sustain life and prosperity.
  • The emphasis on both "heaven" and "the deep" shows a holistic view of God’s provision, reminding readers that all good things—seen and unseen—come from God.
  • Deuteronomy 33:13 connects to the larger context of Moses’ blessings, where each tribe receives a unique word, and Joseph’s is especially rich, reflecting his important role among the tribes of Israel.

Where else these words appear

“things” Hebrew H4022 · used in 7 verses

  • Deuteronomy 33:14 And for the precious fruits brought forth by the sun, and for the precious things put forth by the moon,
  • Deuteronomy 33:16 And for the precious things of the earth and fulness 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.
  • Song of Solomon 4:16 Awake, O north wind; and come, thou south; blow upon my garden, that the spices thereof may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and eat his pleasant fruits.

“dew” Hebrew H2919 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 27:28 Therefore God give thee of the dew of heaven, and the fatness of the earth, and plenty of corn and wine:
  • Judges 6:39 And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew.
  • Proverbs 19:12 The king's wrath is as the roaring of a lion; but his favour is as dew upon the grass.

“beneath” Hebrew H7257 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 4:7 If thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted? and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door. And unto thee shall be his desire, and thou shalt rule over him.
  • Job 11:19 Also thou shalt lie down, and none shall make thee afraid; yea, many shall make suit unto thee.
  • Isaiah 27:10 Yet the defenced city shall be desolate, and the habitation forsaken, and left like a wilderness: there shall the calf feed, and there shall he lie down, and consume the branches thereof.

“deep” Hebrew H8415 · used in 35 verses

  • Genesis 1:2 And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters.
  • Psalms 33:7 He gathereth the waters of the sea together as an heap: he layeth up the depth in storehouses.
  • Proverbs 3:20 By his knowledge the depths are broken up, and the clouds drop down the dew.