And of Gad he said, Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head.

DEUTERONOMY 33:20KJV
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Deuteronomy 33:20 (KJV)

What does Deuteronomy 33:20 mean?

Deuteronomy 33:20 describes Moses blessing the tribe of Gad, saying that those who help Gad grow or expand are blessed, and picturing Gad as a fierce lion who powerfully attacks his enemies. The verse highlights both the tribe’s expansion and its strength in battle, using vivid animal imagery.

Moses is speaking to the Israelites before his death, giving individual blessings to each tribe. For Gad, Moses uses the image of a lion to communicate courage and strength, and mentions tearing the arm and the crown of the head, which suggests victory over enemies. The verse fits into a series of blessings that reflect each tribe’s character and future.

The Hebrew behind Deuteronomy 33:20

  • בָּרוּךְ (barukh, "Blessed"): This word means to speak well of or to confer favor upon. Here, it emphasizes that those who help Gad to increase are especially favored.
  • יַרְחִיב (yarkhiv, "enlargeth"): This word means to make wide or to expand. It suggests Gad’s territory or influence growing, possibly through conquest or settlement.
  • כַּאַרְיֵה (ka’aryeh, "as a lion"): The lion image points to bravery, power, and dominance, showing how Gad is envisioned as a strong and fearless tribe.
  • טָרַף (taraf, "teareth"): This verb means to tear or seize prey, reinforcing the idea of Gad’s aggressive strength in battle.

Why Deuteronomy 33:20 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Gad’s blessing is not just about land or numbers, but about active strength and the ability to defend and expand territory.
  • The lion imagery connects Gad to the qualities of leadership and courage, helping readers see why this tribe was important on Israel’s eastern border.
  • Understanding the blessing in its original context shows how Moses tailored his words to each tribe’s situation and role within the nation.

Where else these words appear

“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.

“lion” Hebrew H3833 · used in 14 verses

  • Genesis 49:9 Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
  • Job 38:39 Wilt thou hunt the prey for the lion? or fill the appetite of the young lions,
  • Ezekiel 19:2 And say, What is thy mother? A lioness: she lay down among lions, she nourished her whelps among young lions.

“with” Hebrew H637 · used in 17 verses

  • Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
  • Deuteronomy 33:3 Yea, he loved the people; all his saints are in thy hand: and they sat down at thy feet; every one shall receive of thy words.
  • 1 Chronicles 8:32 And Mikloth begat Shimeah. And these also dwelt with their brethren in Jerusalem, over against them.

“teareth” Hebrew H2963 · used in 22 verses

  • Genesis 37:33 And he knew it, and said, It is my son's coat; an evil beast hath devoured him; Joseph is without doubt rent in pieces.
  • Psalms 17:12 Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.
  • Ezekiel 22:25 There is a conspiracy of her prophets in the midst thereof, like a roaring lion ravening the prey; they have devoured souls; they have taken the treasure and precious things; they have made her many widows in the midst thereof.