| Deuteronomy 33:1
| This is the blessing wherewith the man of God, Moses, blessed the children of Israel, before his death.
| Blessing. The Fathers, St. Augustine, (q. 56,) etc., explain this of the Christian Church, rather than of the Synagogue. (Theodoret) --- Man of God. A title given to a prophet, 1 Kings 2:27., and 9:6. The prophets often speak of things to come, as if they were past, as we have seen in the conduct of Balaam, Numbers 24:3. Moses here delivers his last testament, and speaks as one no longer in the world, so that there is no reason to affirm that this chapter has been added by another hand; (Calmet) though Kennicott thinks it probable. He suggests, that the first verses of this blessing have been corrupted in the Hebrew and should be translated: 2. He, Jehovah, came from Sinai, and he arose upon them from Seir; (Judges 5:4.) 3. He shone forth from Mount Pharan, and he came from Meriba-Cadesh. (Numbers 20:1. 13.) From his right hand a fire shone forth upon them. 4. Truly he loved the people, and he blessed all his saints. 5. For they fell down at his feet, and they received of his words. 6. He commanded us a law, the inheritance of the congregation of Jacob. 7. And He became king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people were assembled, together with the tribes of Israel. See (Dis. 1:p. 423,) the arguments which he produces in favour of this version. (Haydock)
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