Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of Deuteronomy 33:28
Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob [shall be] upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew.
28. fountain alone ] For fountain, ‘ain, some propose ‘am, people. But the figure is emphatic and natural after the previous line: Israel’s life shall flow unmixed, untainted with that of the expelled peoples.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
The fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land of corn and wine – The King James Version does not preserve the symmetry of the clauses. Render it: Israel shall dwell in safety; alone shall the fountain of Jacob be (compare Psa 68:26; Isa 48:1); in a land, etc.
Fuente: Albert Barnes’ Notes on the Bible
Verse 28. Israel then shall dwell – alone] This people shall not be incorporated with any other people under heaven. A prophecy which continues to be fulfilled to the very letter. Every attempt to unite them with any other people has proved absolutely ineffectual.
The fountain of Jacob] His offspring, shall possess a most fertile land; such was Palestine.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
Alone; either,
1. Though they be alone, and have no confederates to defend them, but have all the world against them, yet my single protection shall be sufficient for them. Or,
2. Distinct and separated from all other nations, with whom I will not have them to mingle themselves. See Num 23:9; Ezr 9:1,2.
The fountain of Jacob, i.e. the posterity of Jacob, which flowed from him its waters from a fountain, in great abundance. Compare Psa 68:26; Isa 48:1. The fountain is here put for the river or streams which flow from it, as Psa 94:10; as the root is put for the branch, 2Ch 22:10; Isa 11:10; Rev 5:5; and as Jacob or Israel, who is the fountain, is oft put for the children of Israel. Or, the eye (for so the Hebrew word oft signifies)
of Jacob, i.e. of the people of Israel; and so the sense is, They who now only hear of the land of promise shall shortly see it, which I am not suffered to do, and shall enjoy it, which is oft signified by seeing, as Psa 4:6; 27:13; 34:12; Ecc 2:1; 3:13.
His heavens, i.e. those heavens or that air which hangs over his land.
Fuente: English Annotations on the Holy Bible by Matthew Poole
28. the fountain of JacobTheposterity of Israel shall dwell in a blessed and favored land.
Fuente: Jamieson, Fausset and Brown’s Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible
Israel then shall dwell in safety alone,…. The Canaanites being thrust out of their land, and Israel put into the possession of it, should dwell in safety, or “confidently” l; without fear of enemies, though surrounded with them on all hands; and though alone, a separate people, distinct from all others their neighbours round about them; see Nu 23:9. So the spiritual Israel dwell in the eternal God, their mansion, or dwelling place; in Christ, their rock; and in a strong city, the church, where they are in the utmost safety. God is all around them; Christ is their refuge, strong hold, and tower; the Holy Spirit in the midst of them is mighty; angels are their guardians, and the church their strong city, whose walls and bulwarks are salvation: here they dwell confidently and securely; though they have sometimes their fears, they have no just reason for them; and when faith is in exercise, are free from them, casting all their care on the Lord, and having confidence in him; where they are alone, not solitary; all the three divine Persons dwell with them, and also angels and saints their fellow citizens; but independent of others, having large provisions in Christ, in the covenant, and in the house of God; and are a separate and distinct people now, and will be to all eternity;
[See comments on Nu 23:9];
the fountain of Jacob [shall be] upon a land of corn and wine; that is, the Israelites that spring from Jacob, as streams of water from a fountain; see Isa 48:1; these shall be or dwell upon the land of Canaan, a land abounding with corn and wine, and all good things, De 8:7; or “in” or “by the fountain of Jacob” m; in a well watered land, there they should dwell. So the spiritual Israel of God dwell in and by Christ, the fountain of gardens, the well of living waters, of life and salvation, in whom all fulness of grace dwells for their supply: or “the eye of Jacob” n is or shall be on a land, c. that is, the Israelites had their eye on the good land of Canaan, and would quickly not only be in sight, but in possession of it. Every true Israelite has a spiritual eye, which is the eve of faith, the evidence of things not seen, which looks to and upon that better country, the land afar off, heaven and eternal happiness, and expects and waits for the full, enjoyment of it:
also his heavens shall drop down dew: the heavens over the land of Canaan should drop down dew upon it, and make it fruitful to bring forth corn and wine, which was Jacob’s blessing, Ge 27:28. Thus the Lord in the heavens drops down the dew of grace, and the blessings of it, upon his people, which make them revive as the corn, and grow as the vine and Christ’s heavenly ministers drop the dew of Gospel doctrine upon them, to the great refreshment of them, De 32:3.
l “confidenter”, V. L. Pagninus, Montanus, Vatablus; “secure”, Junius & Tremellius, Piscator, Cocceius. m “Fonte Jabakobi”, Junius & Tremellius, “apud fontem Jacobi”, Cocceius. n “oculus Jahakob”, V. L. Tigurine version, Pagninus, Montanus, Munster.
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
28. Israel then shall dwell in safety alone. (328) The beginning of the verse is by no means obscure, for Moses promises in it to the elect people what all have naturally a great desire for, viz., peace or tranquillity; for he is said to dwell confidently alone, who: fears no danger, whom no care harasses, and who needs no garrison, or defense. This, indeed, God never vouchsafed altogether to the Israelites, that they should inhabit their land in security and without the fear of enemies, inasmuch as their ingratitude did not allow of it; and therefore the prophets, in enumerating the blessings of Christ’s kingdom, declare that every one should “dwell beneath his own vine, and his own fig-tree.”
For “the fountain of Jacob,” some have the word eye, (329) and suppose it to be used metaphorically for his vision; as though it were said, that the quiet and peaceful habitation referred to was to be expected by the people from the vision of their father Jacob. Others, however, more correctly read the words “fountain of Jacob,” in apposition (with Israel,) inasmuch as all the tribes derived their origin from that one father. In this way the “fountain” will not be only the actual source; but the rivulet, or stream, which flows down from it.
In conclusion, Moses promises that the very sky of the Holy Land should be propitious, and benignant.
(328) Lat. , “Israel hath dwelt,” etc.
(329) עין. A spring, or an eye (from its weeping.) The V. with S.M. have taken it to mean an eye here. Luther, Diodati, and A.V. a fountain. C. saw in the notes of S.M. that Kimchi and the Chaldee paraphrast had taken the word literally to be the eye, and, by metaphor, the vision of Jacob. — W
Fuente: Calvin’s Complete Commentary
(28) Israel then shall dwell in safetyi.e., in confidence and security. In His days (the days of Messiah) Judah shall be saved, and Israel shall dwell safely (Jer. 23:6), but not until they learn to rest upon the everlasting arms.
Fuente: Ellicott’s Commentary for English Readers (Old and New Testaments)
28. Israel shall dwell in safety This verse may be rendered thus:
“And Israel dwells in safety,
The fountain of Jacob apart,
In a land of corn and wine;
Also his heavens drop down dew.”
Alone Separate from other nations. A peculiar people.
The fountain of Jacob The patriarch is here referred to as the source from whom all the tribes came. Comp. Psa 68:26.
Fuente: Whedon’s Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
Deu 33:28
And Israel dwells in safety,
The fountain of Jacob alone,
In a land of grain and new wine;
Yes, his heavens drop down dew.
Because of this Israel, once they had driven out their enemies and are alone in the land, will dwell in safety and prosperity, having reached the land of grain and new wine, whose heavens drop down dew (which helps to produce the grain and new wine). Note the assumption of aloneness. Moses indicates his expectation that they will be obedient and thus will have turned out the Canaanites (possibly with his tongue in his cheek).
“The fountain of Jacob.” That which springs forth from Jacob.
Fuente: Commentary Series on the Bible by Peter Pett
Ver. 28. Israel then shall dwell in safety alone The word badad, signifies to live alone, and I suppose its signification may be extended to living separate. The Israelites were separated from the rest of the world by their peculiar institutions, religious and civil; and they were sufficiently secure, without entering into leagues offensive or defensive with any power. What is here said, seems to be an allusion to that part of Balaam’s prophesy, where he says, Israel shall dwell alone, and shall not be reckoned among the nations. Num 23:9. Among the various expositions of the words ain iaakob, the fountain of Jacob seems to be the best: for fountain is manifestly opposed to dew; and the expression, the fountain of Jacob is upon a land of corn, &c. implies that the land (of promise, or) of Jacob, is a land of fountains, of corn, &c. according to the description of it, chap. Deu 8:7. When Moses says, HIS heavens shall drop down dew, it is conformable to his mode of expression in other places. Thus he calls the air of the land of promise, in speaking to the Israelites, thy heaven that is over thy head; ch. Deu 28:32 and in the 12th verse of the same chapter, the Lord shall open unto thee his good treasure, THE HEAVEN, to give THE RAIN unto thy land. See Gen 27:28. Durell. By the fountain of Jacob, many interpreters understand the Israelites, the numerous progeny of Jacob or Israel; all sprung from him as streams from a copious fountain. The expression at least is used in this sense, Psa 68:26 and Isa 48:1. In this view, the verse might well and consistently be rendered thus; “Israel shall dwell in safety alone;[i.e. separated by its religion and polity from all the world]the fountain [or posterity] of Jacob, [corresponding to Israel] in, or upon a land of corn and wine:Even his heavens shall drop down dew.” In which the sacred writer expresses, 1. The peculiar privilege of Israel in its separation from the rest of the world, under the protection of Jehovah. 2. The natural fertility of the country which that Jehovah would give them. And, 3. The providential care of Jehovah to bless them with kindly and fruitful seasons.
See commentary on Deu 33:26
Fuente: Commentary on the Holy Bible by Thomas Coke
Deu 33:28 Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob [shall be] upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew.
Ver. 28. Israel then shall dwell, &c. ] See Trapp on “ Num 23:9 “
The fountain of Jacob.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
Israel. . . Jacob. The name of a man put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Cause) for his posterity. App-6. Note the name, “Israel” connected with Divine safety, and “Jacob” with earthly substance.
dwell. . . alone. Compare Num 23:9. Jer 23:6.
fountain, or eye . . . [shall look] upon.
wine. See App-27. Hebrew. tirosh.
Fuente: Companion Bible Notes, Appendices and Graphics
Israel: Exo 33:16, Num 23:9, Jer 23:6, Jer 33:16, Eze 34:25, Rev 21:27, Rev 22:14, Rev 22:15
the fountain: Deu 8:7, Deu 8:8, Psa 68:26, Pro 5:15-18, Isa 48:1
his: Deu 33:13, Deu 11:11, Deu 32:2, Gen 27:28
Reciprocal: Lev 25:18 – and ye Deu 12:10 – ye dwell Job 38:28 – dew Pro 3:20 – the clouds Pro 5:16 – thy Isa 26:19 – thy dew Jer 49:31 – which dwell Mic 7:14 – which Zec 8:12 – the heavens
Fuente: The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Deu 33:28. Israel shall dwell in safety alone Either, 1st, In safety, although they be alone, and have no confederates to defend them, but have all the world against them, yet my single protection shall be sufficient for them. Or, 2d, Distinct and separated from all other nations, with whom I will not have them to mingle themselves. The fountain That is, the posterity of Jacob, which flowed from him as waters from a copious fountain, in great abundance. So the expression is used Psa 68:26. The fountain is here put for the river, or streams which flow from it, as Jacob, or Israel, who is the fountain, is often put for the children of Israel. The Hebrew word, however, which we render fountain, often signifies an eye, and the sense here may be, The eye of Jacob shall look upon a land of corn, &c. Also his heavens shall drop down dew That is, those heavens, or that air which hangs over his land, shall water it with refreshing dews, and render it fruitful in corn, wine, and other products of a most fertile country. Thus Moses confirms to Jacobs seed the blessing which Isaac gave to Jacob himself, Gen 27:28.
Fuente: Joseph Bensons Commentary on the Old and New Testaments
33:28 Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: {r} the fountain of Jacob [shall be] upon a land of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew.
(r) Who was plentiful in issue as a fountain.