They shall call the people unto the mountain; there they shall offer sacrifices of righteousness: for they shall suck of the abundance of the seas, and of treasures hid in the sand.

DEUTERONOMY 33:19KJV
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Deuteronomy 33:19 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 33:19 mean?

Deuteronomy 33:19 describes a blessing in which certain tribes will invite others to worship on the mountain, offering right sacrifices, and will enjoy rich resources from the sea and hidden treasures in the sand. The verse highlights both spiritual and material blessings promised to these tribes.

In this verse, Moses is speaking to the tribes of Zebulun and Issachar as part of his final blessings before his death. He describes a future where these tribes will call people together for worship and receive abundant resources from their land and coast. The verse ties their worship and righteousness to the prosperity they will experience.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 33:19

  • קָרָא (qara, "call"): This word means to call out or invite. Here, it emphasizes the tribes' role in gathering people for worship, showing their leadership in spiritual matters.
  • זֶבַח (zevach, "sacrifices"): This word refers to offerings or sacrifices, especially those made in worship. The phrase "sacrifices of righteousness" (צֶדֶק, tsedeq) points to offerings made with sincerity and integrity.
  • יָנַק (yanaq, "suck"): This word means to draw out or extract, often used for nursing. In this context, it paints a vivid picture of the tribes drawing abundance from the sea, suggesting a deep, ongoing benefit.
  • שָׂפַן (safan, "hid"): This word means hidden or concealed. The mention of "treasures hid in the sand" suggests valuable resources not immediately visible, possibly referring to things like minerals, shells, or trade goods.

Why Deuteronomy 33:19 matters

  • Deuteronomy 33:19 shows that the tribes' blessings are both spiritual (worship, sacrifices) and material (resources from sea and sand), not just one or the other.
  • The verse connects the tribes' prosperity with their role in leading others to worship, suggesting that their faithfulness and leadership are linked to their blessings.
  • Understanding the original Hebrew words helps clarify that the "treasures" are not just obvious riches but may include hidden or unexpected resources, broadening the sense of God's provision.

Where else these words appear

“sand” Hebrew H2344 · used in 23 verses

  • Genesis 22:17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
  • 2 Samuel 17:11 Therefore I counsel that all Israel be generally gathered unto thee, from Dan even to Beersheba, as the sand that is by the sea for multitude; and that thou go to battle in thine own person.
  • Proverbs 27:3 A stone is heavy, and the sand weighty; but a fool's wrath is heavier than them both.

“hid” Hebrew H2934 · used in 29 verses

  • Genesis 35:4 And they gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hand, and all their earrings which were in their ears; and Jacob hid them under the oak which was by Shechem.
  • Job 31:33 If I covered my transgressions as Adam, by hiding mine iniquity in my bosom:
  • Proverbs 19:24 A slothful man hideth his hand in his bosom, and will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.

“suck” Hebrew H3243 · used in 30 verses

  • Genesis 21:7 And she said, Who would have said unto Abraham, that Sarah should have given children suck? for I have born him a son in his old age.
  • 1 Samuel 1:23 And Elkanah her husband said unto her, Do what seemeth thee good; tarry until thou have weaned him; only the LORD establish his word. So the woman abode, and gave her son suck until she weaned him.
  • Isaiah 11:8 And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den.

“righteousness” Hebrew H6664 · used in 109 verses

  • Leviticus 19:15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honour the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.
  • Psalms 58:1 To the chief Musician, Altaschith, Michtam of David. Do ye indeed speak righteousness, O congregation? do ye judge uprightly, O ye sons of men?
  • Ecclesiastes 7:15 All things have I seen in the days of my vanity: there is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness, and there is a wicked man that prolongeth his life in his wickedness.