Deuteronomy 33:24
What is Deuteronomy 33:24 about? Read the meaning and summary with full commentary explained, historical context, verse insights, word analysis, and cross-references.
Deuteronomy chapter 33 - Moses’ Final Blessing On The Twelve Tribes
Deuteronomy 33 documents Moses’ final prophetic blessings upon the tribes of Israel, echoing the earlier blessings of Jacob but with a focus on their settled roles in Canaan. It celebrates God’s majesty as He shines forth from Sinai, concluding with a magnificent praise of Israel’s unique security under the 'Eternal Arms.'
Deuteronomy 33:24
ESV: And of Asher he said, "Most blessed of sons be Asher; let him be the favorite of his brothers, and let him dip his foot in oil.
KJV: And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil.
NIV: About Asher he said: "Most blessed of sons is Asher; let him be favored by his brothers, and let him bathe his feet in oil.
NKJV: And of Asher he said: "Asher is most blessed of sons; Let him be favored by his brothers, And let him dip his foot in oil.
NLT: Moses said this about the tribe of Asher: "May Asher be blessed above other sons;
may he be esteemed by his brothers;
may he bathe his feet in olive oil.
Meaning
Deuteronomy 33:24 presents a prophetic blessing bestowed upon the tribe of Asher by Moses. It pronounces exceptional divine favor upon Asher, marking the tribe as preeminently blessed among the tribes of Israel. The verse foretells not only material prosperity and abundance, particularly symbolized by a lavish supply of oil, but also peace and high esteem within the brotherhood of the twelve tribes. This blessing suggests that Asher would occupy a rich, fertile territory conducive to such blessings, fostering harmonious relationships with their kin.
Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Gen 30:13 | Then Leah said, "Happy am I! For the daughters will call me blessed"... she named him Asher. | Asher's name meaning "happy" or "blessed". |
| Gen 49:20 | "Asher's food will be rich; he will provide delicacies fit for a king." | Jacob's earlier blessing emphasizing Asher's abundance. |
| Deut 8:7-9 | ...a land of wheat and barley, of vines and fig trees and pomegranates, a land of olive trees and honey... | Description of the Promised Land's agricultural wealth, including oil. |
| Job 29:6 | when my steps were washed with cream, and the rock poured out for me streams of oil? | Poetic image of overwhelming prosperity and ease. |
| Ps 23:5 | You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup overflows. | Oil as a symbol of divine blessing, provision, and honor. |
| Ps 92:10 | But my horn You have exalted like a wild ox; I have been anointed with fresh oil. | Anointing with oil for vigor, renewal, and divine strength. |
| Joel 2:24 | The threshing floors will be full of grain; the vats will overflow with new wine and oil. | Prophetic promise of abundant agricultural harvests. |
| Prov 21:20 | In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has. | The result of wisdom: storing valuable provisions like oil. |
| Ps 133:1 | How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity! | Context for "favored by his brothers" – unity and harmony. |
| Ps 133:2 | It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard... | Oil symbolizing spiritual unity and anointing among God's people. |
| Isa 61:1 | The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, Because the LORD has anointed me to preach good tidings... | The spiritual significance of anointing for divine mission. |
| Zech 4:12-14 | ...What are these two olive branches that empty liquid gold through the two golden pipes? ... These are the two anointed ones... | Symbolic imagery of divine anointing and its source. |
| Mk 6:13 | And they cast out many demons and anointed with oil many who were sick and healed them. | Oil used in prayer and healing within early Christian ministry. |
| Lk 4:18 | “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor..." | Jesus' own ministry beginning with a declaration of divine anointing. |
| Acts 10:38 | how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went about doing good... | Christ's anointing as the basis for His ministry. |
| Jas 5:14 | Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church... anointing them with oil in the name of the Lord. | New Testament practice of anointing with oil for healing through prayer. |
| 1 Jn 2:20 | But you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things. | Believers having a spiritual anointing, referring to the Holy Spirit. |
| 1 Jn 2:27 | As for you, the anointing you received from him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you... | The Holy Spirit as the anointing dwelling within believers, guiding them. |
| Phil 4:19 | And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. | A broad promise of comprehensive divine provision and blessing. |
| Eph 1:3 | Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing... | New Covenant blessings encompassing all spiritual dimensions. |
| Gen 27:28 | May God give you of heaven’s dew and of earth’s richness—an abundance of grain and new wine. | Isaac's blessing on Jacob, highlighting agricultural fertility. |
| Jer 31:12 | They will come and shout for joy on the heights of Zion; they will rejoice in the bounty of the LORD—the grain, the new wine and the olive oil... | Promise of future national prosperity, including abundant oil. |
Context
Deuteronomy chapter 33 contains Moses' final blessing upon the tribes of Israel just before his death and their entry into the Promised Land. This prophetic poem, reminiscent of Jacob's blessings in Genesis 49, outlines the future characteristics, destiny, and geographical allocations of each tribe. It serves as a farewell charge, invoking God's continued favor and power upon His people as they prepare to inherit the covenant land. The blessings are not merely wishes but declarative pronouncements of God's intentions for each segment of His chosen nation, preparing them for their respective roles and experiences in the new land. Specifically, for Asher, the blessing sets the stage for a rich agricultural inheritance.
Word analysis
- Of Asher (אֶל-אָשֵׁר, ’el-’āshēr): Asher was the eighth son of Jacob, born to Zilpah, Leah's handmaid. His name means "happy" or "blessed" (Gen 30:13). This blessing from Moses builds upon and amplifies the significance of his name, declaring an extraordinary measure of blessing.
- he said: This indicates Moses, speaking under divine inspiration, delivers this pronouncement. It carries prophetic authority and divine promise.
- "Most blessed of sons" (בָּרוּךְ מִבָּנִים אָשֶׁר, bārûk mibāním ’āshēr):
- Blessed (בָּרוּךְ, bārûk): The passive participle indicates that Asher is not merely fortunate, but actively and repeatedly blessed by God. This implies a state of being highly favored.
- of sons (מִבָּנִים, mibāním): "Of sons" implies that Asher would be uniquely distinguished in blessing even among his brother tribes. This sets a very high standard for Asher's prosperity and renown.
- let him be favored by his brothers (וִיהִי רְצוּי אֶחָיו, wihî rəṣûy ’eḥāyw):
- favored (רְצוּי, rəṣûy): This word means "acceptable" or "pleasing." It denotes receiving good will and acceptance. This indicates that Asher would live in peace and unity with the other tribes, not suffering internal conflict or being despised, which was a significant issue in tribal relations. This blessing is for relational harmony and esteem.
- his brothers (אֶחָיו, ’eḥāyw): Refers to the other tribes descended from Jacob.
- and let him dip his foot in oil (וְטֹבֵל בַּשֶּׁמֶן רַגְלוֹ, wəṭōḇēl bašémen raḡlō):
- dip (טֹבֵל, ṭōḇēl): This verb suggests deep immersion or saturation. It implies an overwhelming abundance, so much so that one doesn't merely encounter or use oil, but can step into it, signifying immense prosperity beyond necessity.
- his foot (רַגְלוֹ, raḡlō): The "foot" can represent one's dwelling, walk, or possession of land. To dip one's foot in oil signifies an almost unbelievable abundance right underfoot or throughout their territory.
- in oil (בַּשֶּׁמֶן, bašémen): In ancient Israel, "oil" (olive oil) was an essential commodity used for food, light, fuel, medicine, anointing, and trade. It was a primary indicator of wealth and blessing. The land allotted to Asher (parts of modern Galilee and coastal areas) was indeed famed for its olive groves and production. This points to extraordinary agricultural fertility and economic prosperity.
Commentary
Deuteronomy 33:24 paints a vivid picture of divine blessing for the tribe of Asher, extending beyond mere sustenance to lavish abundance and inter-tribal harmony. The pronouncement of "most blessed of sons" echoes Asher's foundational name, emphasizing a divinely appointed state of happiness and favor that surpasses that of other tribes. This wasn't merely a hopeful wish but a prophetic declaration. The mention of being "favored by his brothers" is significant, highlighting a state of peace and acceptance within the larger Israelite community, a testament to healthy internal relations crucial for national strength. The most striking imagery, "dip his foot in oil," metaphorically expresses an unprecedented level of prosperity tied to the land. It means Asher's territory would be so fertile in olive trees that oil would be as common as water, symbolizing vast wealth and ease, possibly more abundant than required for sustenance. This verse stands as a testament to God's generous provision and His desire for flourishing relationships within His covenant people, portraying an ideal state of material and communal blessing.
Bonus section
The blessing to Asher here connects deeply to the geographical reality of their allocated territory. Historical and archaeological evidence suggests that the region where the tribe of Asher settled, particularly the Western Galilee, was indeed exceptionally fertile and became known as a major center for olive oil production. This verse is not just a general wish but a specific, divinely-inspired foresight into the tribe's practical inheritance and livelihood. The imagery of "dipping the foot" further evokes the ancient process of treading olives for oil extraction, implying that their very engagement with their land would yield unparalleled abundance. This abundance also serves as a polemic against pagan deities like Baal, who were worshipped for fertility and rain. Moses' blessing asserts that Yahweh, not local gods, is the true source of all agricultural and material blessing, demonstrating His sole sovereignty and generosity.
Read deuteronomy 33 chapter and explore various translations, from word-for-word KJV and ESV to thought-for-thought NIV and NLT.
Contrast the specific destinies of the tribes, from Reuben’s survival to Joseph’s 'precious things' of the sun and moon. Begin your study with deuteronomy 33 summary.
Note that Simeon is missing from this list, likely because the tribe was destined to be absorbed into Judah’s territory, fulfilling Jacob’s prophecy. The Word Secret is Urim and Thummim, mentioned in Levi’s blessing, representing the 'Lights and Perfections' used by priests to determine God’s will. Discover the riches with deuteronomy 33 commentary, containing expert led word study (original greek/hebrew) and passage level analysis.
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