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.

DEUTERONOMY 33:16KJV
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Deuteronomy 33:16 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 33:16 mean?

Deuteronomy 33:16 describes a blessing given to Joseph, asking that he receive the best of the earth and its abundance, along with the favor of God, who appeared in the burning bush. This blessing is meant to rest on Joseph, who was set apart from his brothers.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the tribes of Israel before his death, specifically blessing the descendants of Joseph (the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh). Moses calls for Joseph to receive both material blessings (“precious things of the earth”) and spiritual favor (“good will of him that dwelt in the bush”), highlighting Joseph’s special status among his brothers.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 33:16

  • “Good will” (רָצוֹן, ratzon): This word means favor, pleasure, or acceptance. Here, it emphasizes that Joseph’s blessing is not just material but also includes God’s special approval or kindness.
  • “Him that dwelt in the bush” (שָׁכַן, shakan; סְּנֶה, seneh): “Shakan” means to dwell or reside, and “seneh” refers to the bush from Moses’ encounter with God in Exodus 3. Mentioning the bush connects Joseph’s blessing to the God who revealed Himself to Moses, underlining the divine source of the favor.
  • “Separated” (נָזִיר, nazir): This word means one who is consecrated or set apart. Joseph is described as “separated from his brethren,” pointing to his unique role and the way God set him apart for a special purpose among his family.

Why Deuteronomy 33:16 matters

  • This verse clarifies that Joseph’s blessing is both physical (the bounty of the land) and spiritual (God’s favor), not just one or the other.
  • The reference to “him that dwelt in the bush” ties the blessing directly to the God of Moses, reminding the hearers of God’s past faithfulness and presence.
  • By calling Joseph “separated from his brethren,” the verse highlights Joseph’s unique story and leadership, helping explain why his descendants received a distinct and abundant blessing among the tribes of Israel.

Where else these words appear

“bush” Hebrew H5572 · used in 4 verses

  • Exodus 3:2 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush: and he looked, and, behold, the bush burned with fire, and the bush was not consumed.
  • Exodus 3:3 And Moses said, I will now turn aside, and see this great sight, why the bush is not burnt.
  • Exodus 3:4 And when the LORD saw that he turned aside to see, God called unto him out of the midst of the bush, and said, Moses, Moses. And he said, Here am I.

“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 33:15 And for the chief things of the ancient mountains, and for the precious things of the lasting hills,
  • 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.

“head” Hebrew H6936 · used in 11 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.
  • 2 Samuel 14:25 But in all Israel there was none to be so much praised as Absalom for his beauty: from the sole of his foot even to the crown of his head there was no blemish in him.
  • 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.

“separated” Hebrew H5139 · used in 16 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.
  • Numbers 6:18 And the Nazarite shall shave the head of his separation at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, and shall take the hair of the head of his separation, and put it in the fire which is under the sacrifice of the peace offerings.
  • Judges 13:7 But he said unto me, Behold, thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink, neither eat any unclean thing: for the child shall be a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death.