Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 33:11
Bless, LORD, his substance, and accept the work of his hands: smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again.
11. when evening cometh on ] Gen 24:63. The new day began then.
bathe himself, etc.] Also prescribed in Lev 15:16.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
11. substance ] Better strength or efficiency and so service, parallel to work of his hands. Yet it might mean host, ranks or order. Calvin retaining substance says ‘it appears to have been intended tacitly to provide against the poverty which awaited the Levites,’ and quotes Psa 132:15.
that rise up against him that hate him ] To what this refers is unknown. Some refer it to Num 16:1 ff. or 1Ki 12:31; and the hostility of the prophets to the priests is well-known. As we have seen, others assign the lines to the ‘Blessing’ on Judah.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Smite through the loins – Rather, strike the loins, i. e., the seat of their strength.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 11. Bless, Lord, his substance] The blessing of God to the tribe of Levi was peculiarly necessary, because they had no inheritance among the children of Israel, and lived more immediately than others upon the providence of GOD. Yet, as they lived by the offerings of the people and the tithes, the increase of their substance necessarily implied the increase of the people at large: the more fruitful the land was, the more abundant would the tithes of the Levites be; and thus in the increased fertility of the land the substance of Levi would be blessed.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
His substance, i.e. his outward estate, as Deu 8:18, because he hath no inheritance of his own, and therefore wholly depends upon thy blessing. Or, his host or army, as the word is used Eze 37:10. The priests that attended upon Gods service in the tabernacle or temple are oft compared to an host or army in regard of their exquisite order and courses and constant watches there. See Num 4:3.
The work of his hands, i.e. all his holy administrations, which he fitly calls the works of his hands; either more largely, the hand, one great instrument of action being put for all the rest; or because a great part of the service of the Levites and priests was done by the labour of their hand and body, whereas the service of evangelical ministers is more spiritual and heavenly.
Smite through the loins of them that rise against him: he prays thus earnestly for them, partly because he foresaw they who were to teach, and admonish, and reprove, and chastise others would have many enemies, Jer 15:10; Amo 5:10; and partly because they were, under God, the great preservers and upholders of religion, and their enemies were the enemies of religion itself; as is evident from the history of the Old Testament.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
Bless, Lord, his substance,…. Which lay in tithes, firstfruits, c. for the priests and Levites had no share in the division of the land unless this can be understood of the cities and suburbs which were given them, or of houses and fields devoted, which fell unto them, or rather of their cattle, for the use of which they had suburbs appointed them; for otherwise in husbandry and merchandise they were not employed: some render it “an host” or army l, their service being a militia, or warfare, Nu 4:3; Jarchi refers this to the Hasmonaeans or Maccabees, which were of this tribe;
and accept the work of his hands; in offering incense and sacrifices, and all other administrations of the office of priests and Levites; thus the righteousness and sacrifice of Christ are of a sweet smelling savour, and very acceptable to God; and all the spiritual sacrifices of the saints who are priests unto God, as of prayer and praise, are acceptable to him through Jesus Christ:
smite through the loins of them that rise against him; such as were the companies of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram; and in all ages faithful ministers of the word meet with many enemies, whom they would not be, able to withstand were not the Lord to appear for them, and protect them from them, and smite them thoroughly:
and of them that hate them, that they rise not again; destroying them with an utter destruction, so that they are not able to make any other efforts upon them; for such who are enemies to the priests of the Lord are enemies to him, and to true religion, enemies to God and Christ, to the law and to the Gospel, to the word of God and to the ordinances of it, and therefore to be severely handled and thoroughly punished: Christ’s enemies shall all be subdued under him; see Ps 110:1.
l “copiis ejus”, Junius Tremellius “[vel] exercitibus ejus”, Piscator.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
11. Bless, Lord, his substance. This supplication appears to have been intended tacitly to provide against the poverty which awaited the Levites, if God had not supplied them with food from some other source besides the produce of the soil; for they were deprived of a share in the general inheritance, and God alone was their property. Lest, therefore, their condition should be painful to them, Moses offers them consolation, and bids them expect from God abundance for their support, whilst he promises that His blessing shall stand them in stead of the most redundant produce; as it is said in Psa 132:15, “I will abundantly bless her provision, and satisfy her priests (317) with bread.”
What follows, that “the work of his hands may be acceptable to God,” may be either explained generally of the labor which is bestowed for the purpose of obtaining food, or of the service and ministry of the tabernacle; but, inasmuch as God engaged the Levites in sacred occupations, it seems indirectly to promise them that such exercises would be no less profitable to them than as if they were altogether occupied in the pursuit of gain. It was allowable for the rest to employ their industry for the advancement of their domestic interests, whilst the Levites, in order properly to perform their duties, were obliged to neglect their private affairs. Lest, then, they should be afraid of destitution, Moses reminds them that they might expect from God an earthly reward also for their spiritual labors.
The third point appears to be purposely introduced, that “God would smite through or transfix their enemies,” because pious teachers are very much exposed to envy, and ill-will, and persecution; for the complaint which is made by Jeremiah, (Jer 15:10,) that he was “a man of strife,” is applicable to all the prophets and ministers of God; since the world can hardly bear its affections to be slain by the spiritual sword of God’s word, and hence many contentions arise. Besides, Satan, in order to render their: doctrine contemptible, does not cease to harass them by whatever means he can, and to arm his bands to war against them; so that the pastors of the Church have need of God’s special aid. This point, then, is peculiarly worthy of observation that, although many adversaries always threaten God’s servants, besiege them, provoke them to conflict, in a word, are always plotting their destruction, still God’s succor will be at hand, whereby they may be rendered invincible; as it was said to Jeremiah,
“
They shall fight against thee, but they shall not prevail against thee.” (Jer 1:19.)
The words I have translated “lest they rise again,” others render “lest they rise against them;” and, although I do not reject this, still it seems to be less appropriate; for Moses did not wish to exempt the Levites from the annoyances of combat, but only to promise them victory, inasmuch as God would overwhelm and destroy their enemies. (318)
(317) A. V. , “poor.” C.’s memory seems here to have failed him, and to have imported the word “priests” from the following verse.
(318) Addition in Fr. , ”voire en sorte qu’ils demeurerent couchez tous plats;” that is to say, in such sort as they should remain altogether east down.
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(11) Bless, Lord, his substance.This petition is consistent with the enactment that Levi should have no land. But a blessing on his substance means a blessing to the whole land of Israel. Levis substance Was Israels tithe.
Accept the work of his hands.The chief work of his hands was mediatorial for all Israel. The acceptance of this work was essential to the welfare of the whole race.
Smite through the loins of them that rise against him.Rashi refers to the great war begun by the Asmonans. Mattathias, the father of the Maccabees, was a priest of the sons of Joiarib from Jerusalem (1Ma. 2:1). In the time of Athaliah and of Antiochus Epiphanes alike, the restorers of the worship of Jehovah, and the deliverers of the nation from a foreign yoke, were priests.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
11. Smite through the loins The loins used to denote the seat of strength. Comp. Psa 69:23; Job 40:16; Pro 31:17.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Deu 33:11 Bless, LORD, his substance, and accept the work of his hands: smite through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again.
Ver. 11 And of them that hate him. ] Ministers shall be sure of many enemies: they hate him that reproveth in the gate. Veritas odium parit; praedieare nihil aliud est quam derivare in se furorem mundi, said Luther: to preach is to get the world’s ill-will. “Ye are the light,” saith our Saviour, which is offensive to sore eyes; “ye are the salt of the earth,” which is bitter to wounds, and causeth pain to ulcerated parts.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
his substance: Deu 18:1-5, Num 18:8-20, Num 35:2-8
accept: 2Sa 24:23, Psa 20:3, Eze 20:40, Eze 20:41, Eze 43:27, Mal 1:8-10
smite: Isa 29:21, Jer 15:10, Amo 5:10, Mat 10:14, Mat 10:15, Luk 10:10-12, Luk 10:16, 1Th 4:8
Reciprocal: Num 16:47 – and he put 2Ch 19:2 – hate the Lord Job 1:10 – thou hast blessed Psa 66:11 – upon Amo 8:14 – shall fall
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Deu 33:11. Bless, Lord, his substance Because he hath no inheritance of his own, and therefore wholly depends upon thy blessing. The work of his hands All his holy administrations, which he fitly calls the work of his hands, because a great part of the service of the Levites and priests was done by the labour of their hand and body, whereas the service of evangelical ministers is more spiritual and heavenly. Smite He prays thus earnestly for them, because he foresaw they who were to teach and reprove, and chastise others, would have many enemies, and because they were, under God, the great preservers and upholders of religion, and their enemies were the enemies of religion itself.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
33:11 Bless, LORD, his substance, and accept the work of his hands: smite {i} through the loins of them that rise against him, and of them that hate him, that they rise not again.
(i) He declares that the ministers of God have many enemies, and therefore need to be prayed for.