Deuteronomy 33:13-17
Summary for Deut 33:13-17: 33:13-17 a Joseph was Jacob’s eleventh son (Gen 30:23-24 b) and his favorite child (Gen 37:3 c). Joseph and his two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, received Jacob’s special blessing (Gen 48 d; 49:22-26 e). As a result, the tribes of Joseph prospered and multiplied, becoming two separate tribes.33:16 f the one who appeared in the burning bush: See Exod 3:2-4 g. The same Lord who favored Israel by rescuing them from bondage blessed the tribes of Joseph.
• the prince among his brothers: Joseph’s dream that he would rule over his siblings was fulfilled when they submitted to him in Egypt (Gen 37:5-11 h; 42:6 i).
33:17 j Ephraim is listed first because he received the blessing of the firstborn over Manasseh (Gen 48:8-22 k). Manasseh, the firstborn, would normally have received the double portion belonging to the firstborn (cp. Deut 21:17 l), but Jacob gave it to Ephraim, Joseph’s younger son. Moses’ blessing reflects Jacob’s blessing by listing the tribe of Ephraim as numbering in multitudes (literally tens of thousands) and Manasseh in thousands. After the conquest and establishment of the nation, Ephraim became the dominant tribe of the north; later, after the kingdom was divided following Solomon’s death (1 Kgs 12 m), the name Ephraim was used interchangeably with Israel in speaking of the northern kingdom.
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