And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills,

DEUTERONOMY 33:15KJV
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Deuteronomy 33:15 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 33:15 mean?

Deuteronomy 33:15 describes a blessing that mentions the best and most valuable things coming from the ancient mountains and the everlasting hills. The verse highlights the richness and enduring value found in these natural features as part of a blessing being given.

In this chapter, Moses is speaking to the tribes of Israel before his death, pronouncing blessings over each tribe. Here, he is blessing Joseph’s descendants, using the imagery of ancient mountains and lasting hills to emphasize the abundance and enduring goodness that God is providing for them. The verse uses poetic language to express the idea of receiving the very best from the land.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 33:15

  • "things" (רֹאשׁ, rosh): This word often means "head" or "top," but here it is used for "chief things," suggesting the choicest or most excellent parts of the mountains.
  • "ancient" (קֶדֶם, qedem): This word means "ancient" or "from of old," pointing to the long-standing, time-honored nature of the mountains.
  • "mountains" (הָרִים, harim): This is the common word for "mountains," emphasizing the grandeur and stability of these features.
  • "precious things" (גֶּבַע, geva): This word is used for "precious things," pointing to valuable resources or treasures found in the hills.
  • "lasting" (עוֹלָם, olam): This word means "everlasting" or "perpetual," highlighting the enduring nature of the hills.
  • "hills" (גִּבְעוֹת, giv'ot): This is the word for "hills," often used for smaller elevations than mountains, but still significant in the landscape.

Why Deuteronomy 33:15 matters

  • This verse helps clarify that the blessings given to Joseph’s descendants are not just spiritual or symbolic, but also include tangible, material abundance from the land itself.
  • The imagery of ancient mountains and everlasting hills connects the blessing to the enduring faithfulness of God, who provides lasting goodness, not just temporary gifts.
  • Understanding the poetic language and the original Hebrew words deepens appreciation for the richness and permanence of the blessings being described, showing the care and generosity in Moses’ words to the people.

Where else these words appear

“things” Hebrew H4022 · used in 7 verses

  • Deuteronomy 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,
  • 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.

“mountains” Hebrew H2042 · used in 13 verses

  • Genesis 14:6 And the Horites in their mount Seir, unto Elparan, which is by the wilderness.
  • Psalms 36:6 Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preservest man and beast.
  • Psalms 133:3 As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the LORD commanded the blessing, even life for evermore.

“hills” Hebrew H1389 · used in 69 verses

  • Genesis 49:26 The blessings of thy father have prevailed above the blessings of my progenitors unto the utmost bound of the everlasting hills: they shall be on the head of Joseph, and on the crown of the head of him that was separate from his brethren.
  • Psalms 72:3 The mountains shall bring peace to the people, and the little hills, by righteousness.
  • Jeremiah 13:27 I have seen thine adulteries, and thy neighings, the lewdness of thy whoredom, and thine abominations on the hills in the fields. Woe unto thee, O Jerusalem! wilt thou not be made clean? when shall it once be?

“ancient” Hebrew H6924 · used in 83 verses

  • Genesis 2:8 And the LORD God planted a garden eastward in Eden; and there he put the man whom he had formed.
  • Joshua 19:12 And turned from Sarid eastward toward the sunrising unto the border of Chislothtabor, and then goeth out to Daberath, and goeth up to Japhia,
  • Psalms 143:5 I remember the days of old; I meditate on all thy works; I muse on the work of thy hands.