The Meaning of Deuteronomy 33:6 Explained

Deuteronomy 33:6

KJV: Let Reuben live, and not die; and let not his men be few.

YLT: Let Reuben live, and not die, And let his men be a number.

Darby: Let Reuben live, and not die; And let his men be few.

ASV: Let Reuben live, and not die; Nor let his men be few.

KJV Reverse Interlinear

Let Reuben  live,  and not die;  and let [not] his men  be few. 

What does Deuteronomy 33:6 Mean?

Context Summary

Deuteronomy 33:1-17 - The Blessing Of The Chosen People
The glorious nature of God is the opening theme here. The reference is to the giving of the Law when, amid fire and the mediation of angels, God descended on Sinai, Psalms 18:7-9; Habakkuk 3:3-4. Oh, that we, too, may sit as pupils in God's school and receive His words, Deuteronomy 33:3.
Though Reuben could not excel, he was not forgotten. Simeon is omitted because of Numbers 25:14. Judah was to receive prosperity in prayer, in work and in war. Some render the benediction thus: "Bring him in safety from his wars!" But our warfare is different, Ephesians 6:12.
Levi receives special blessing. Note r.v. margin: "Thy Thummim and thy Urim are with him whom thou lovest." This is the white diamond-stone flashing with God's "Yes" or dimming with His "No," Revelation 2:17. Exodus 32:26 was never forgotten. See Matthew 25:37. But God forgets our sins, Hebrews 8:12. Benjamin's portion may be yours. The precious things of Joseph's heritage pale to insignificance when contrasted with the riches of God's grace, Ephesians 1:18. [source]

Chapter Summary: Deuteronomy 33

1  The majesty of God
6  The blessings of the twelve tribes
26  The excellence of Israel

What do the individual words in Deuteronomy 33:6 mean?

Let live Reuben and not die [Nor] let be his men few -
יְחִ֥י רְאוּבֵ֖ן וְאַל־ יָמֹ֑ת וִיהִ֥י מְתָ֖יו מִסְפָּֽר ס

יְחִ֥י  Let  live 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Jussive, third person masculine singular
Root: חָיָה  
Sense: to live, have life, remain alive, sustain life, live prosperously, live for ever, be quickened, be alive, be restored to life or health.
רְאוּבֵ֖ן  Reuben 
Parse: Proper Noun, masculine singular
Root: רְאוּבֵן  
Sense: the eldest son of Jacob by Leah.
וְאַל־  and  not 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Adverb
Root: אַל  
Sense: not, no, nor, neither, nothing (as wish or preference).
יָמֹ֑ת  die 
Parse: Verb, Qal, Imperfect Jussive, third person masculine singular
Root: מוּת  
Sense: to die, kill, have one executed.
וִיהִ֥י  [Nor]  let  be 
Parse: Conjunctive waw, Verb, Qal, Conjunctive imperfect Jussive, third person masculine singular
Root: אֶהְיֶה 
Sense: to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out.
מְתָ֖יו  his  men 
Parse: Noun, masculine plural construct, third person masculine singular
Root: מֹת 
Sense: male, man.
מִסְפָּֽר  few 
Parse: Noun, masculine singular
Root: מִסְפָּר  
Sense: number, tale.
ס  - 
Parse: Punctuation

What are the major concepts related to Deuteronomy 33:6?

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