His glory is like the firstling of his bullock, and his horns are like the horns of unicorns: with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth: and they are the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they are the thousands of Manasseh.
DEUTERONOMY 33:17KJVWhat does Deuteronomy 33:17 mean?
Deuteronomy 33:17 uses the image of a powerful, firstborn bull with strong horns to describe the strength and prominence of Joseph’s descendants, especially Ephraim and Manasseh. The verse says their power will reach far, gathering and pushing nations, with Ephraim’s numbers being especially great.
In this verse, Moses is blessing the tribes of Israel before his death, and here he focuses on Joseph’s two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh. The language is poetic, using animal imagery to picture their future influence and strength among the tribes and even beyond Israel’s borders. The verse highlights Ephraim’s larger population and leadership, with Manasseh also being significant.
The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 33:17
- firstling (בְּכוֹר, bekhor): This word means “firstborn” or “firstling,” and it emphasizes the idea of strength, privilege, and leadership, as the firstborn in ancient times often held a special place.
- bullock (שׁוֹר, shor): Refers to a strong, mature bull, a common symbol of power and vigor in the ancient world.
- horns (קֶרֶן, qeren): Horns in the Bible often represent strength and the ability to defend or attack. The double mention here stresses the might and reach of Joseph’s descendants.
- unicorns (רְאֵם, re’em): This word likely refers to a wild ox, not the mythical unicorn. The image is of impressive, untamable strength, not fantasy.
- push (נָגַח, nagach): This verb means to gore or push with horns, picturing active, forceful influence over others.
Why Deuteronomy 33:17 matters
- The verse clears up that “unicorns” in the King James Version is not about mythical creatures, but about a strong, wild animal—probably a wild ox—used to symbolize real-world power.
- The verse emphasizes the special role and strength of the tribes descended from Joseph, especially Ephraim, which helps explain later historical developments in Israel’s story.
- The poetic blessing connects to the wider chapter, where Moses gives each tribe a unique word, showing how each fits into the larger people of Israel and their future.