The Church Fathers on this verse

Deuteronomy 33:16Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

And of the fruits of the earth, and of the fulness thereof. The blessing of him that appeared in the bush, come upon the head of Joseph, and upon the crown of the Nazarite among his brethren.

Douay-Rheims

וּמִמֶּ֗גֶד אֶ֚רֶץ וּמְלֹאָ֔הּ וּרְצ֥וֹן שֹׁכְנִ֖י סְנֶ֑ה תָּב֙וֹאתָה֙ לְרֹ֣אשׁ יוֹסֵ֔ף וּלְקָדְקֹ֖ד נְזִ֥יר אֶחָֽיו׃

Hebrew (Masoretic text)

The Church Fathers on this verse

2 Church Fathers comment on this verse

Ephraem the Syrian

4th centuryChurch Father

The results of 'the earth and its completion' highlight the blessed state of the bodies at the time of resurrection. The grace of the One who resides within the cup signifies that these blessings "shall come upon the head of Joseph," representing the pinnacle of his brothers' lineage, through the grace of the One who dwells in the cup.

Theodoret of Cyrus

5th centuryChurch Father

In affirmation of the blessing, he recalls God who manifested in the chalice. He states that Joseph was granted the birthright, which is why his lineage was allotted two portions, resulting in the formation of two tribes; this is because the firstborn is entitled to a double inheritance.

Cross references

Passages read together with this verse.