SEV Biblia, Chapter 33:17
El es hermoso como el primogénito de su toro, y sus cuernos, cuernos de unicornio; con ellos acorneará a los pueblos juntos hasta los fines de la tierra; y éstos son los diez millares de Efraín, y éstos los millares de Manasés.
Clarke's Bible Commentary - Deuteronomy 33:17
Verse 17. His glory is like the firstling of his bullock] This similitude is very obscure. A bullock was the most excellent of animals among the Jews, not only because of its acceptableness in sacrifice to God, but because of its great usefulness in agriculture. There is something peculiarly noble and dignified in the appearance of the ox, and his greatest ornament are his fine horns; these the inspired penman has particularly in view, as the following clause proves; and it is well known that in Scriptural language horns are the emblem of strength, glory, and sovereignty; Psa. lxxv. 5, 10; lxxxix. 17, 24; cxii. 9; Dan. viii. 3, &c.; Luke i. 69; Rev. xvii. 3, &c. His horns are like the horns of unicorns] µar reem, which we translate unicorn, from the monokerwv monokeros of the Septuagint, signifies, according to Bochart, the mountain goat; and according to others, the rhinoceros, a very large quadruped with one great horn on his nose, from which circumstance his name is derived. See the notes on Num. xxiii. 22; xxiv. 8. Reem is in the singular number, and because the horns of a unicorn, a one-horned animal, would have appeared absurd, our translators, with an unfaithfulness not common to them, put the word in the plural number.
To the ends of the earth] Of the land of Canaan, for Joshua with his armies conquered all this land, and drove the ancient inhabitants out before him.
They are the ten thousands of Ephraim, &c.] That is, The horns signify the ten thousands of Ephraim, and the thousands of Manasseh. Jacob prophesied, Gen. xlviii. 19, that the younger should be greater than the elder; so here TENS of thousands are given to Ephraim, and only thousands to Manasseh. See the census, Num. i. 33-35.
John Gill's Bible Commentary
Ver. 17. His glory [is like] the firstling of his bullock , etc.] Such as were in Bashan, a country possessed by the posterity of Joseph, (see Psalm 22:12 Amos 4:1); and so might be called “his” bullock, or a young bull, was reckoned both comely and majestic; so Menis or Mnevis, king of Egypt, preferred a bull above all animals to be worshipped, because the most beautiful of all, as Aelianus relates; and Astarte, according to Sanchoniatho f643 , put a bull’s head upon her own, as a sign of royalty or kingly power. The Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem refer this to the birthright which belonged to Reuben, and was taken from him, and given to Joseph, (see 1 Chronicles 5:2). Some will have Joshua intended by the firstling of his bullock, so Jarchi; who was of the tribe of Ephraim, and so famous for his strength and courage, his warlike exploits and victories, and the glory, honour, and renown he obtained; and who was a type of Christ, the first and only begotten Son of God, the brightness of his Father’s glory, and the express image of his person; this is applied to the Messiah in some ancient Jewish writings f644 : and his horns [are like] the horns of unicorns ; of the monoceros or rhinoceros; and as the strength of these creatures, as of others, lies in their horns, these are figures of the power and strength of the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the sons of Joseph; (see Numbers 23:22); with them he shall push the people together to the ends of the earth ; not to the ends of the world, as if the posterity of Joseph should carry their conquests and spread their dominion over all people to the ends of the world, as the Targum of Jonathan suggests; but to the ends of the land of Canaan, which was done by Joshua, when he smote the thirty one kings of that country. The word “push” is used in allusion to the horns of creatures, with which they push, drive away from them, or hurt and destroy those that annoy them: and they [are] the ten thousands of Ephraim, and they [are] the thousands of Manasseh ; though Manasseh was the eldest son of Joseph, fewer are ascribed to him than to Ephraim the younger, according to Jacob’s prediction, ( Genesis 48:19). This has been in a spiritual sense verified in Christ, the antitype of Joseph, the horn of salvation, who by his great strength has vanquished all his, and the enemies of his people, and even spoiled principalities and powers.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 6-23 - The order in which the tribes are here blessed, is not the same as is observed elsewhere. The blessing of Judah may refer to the whole trib in general, or to David as a type of Christ. Moses largely blesses the tribe of Levi. Acceptance with God is what we should all aim at, an desire, in all our devotions, whether men accept us or not, 2Co 5:9 This prayer is a prophecy, that God will keep up a ministry in his church to the end of time. The tribe of Benjamin had their inheritanc close to mount Zion. To be situated near the ordinances, is a preciou gift from the Lord, a privilege not to be exchanged for any worldl advantage, or indulgence. We should thankfully receive the earthl blessings sent to us, through the successive seasons. But those goo gifts which come down from the Father of lights, through the rising of the Sun of righteousness, and the pouring out of his Spirit like the rain which makes fruitful, are infinitely more precious, as the token of his special love. The precious things here prayed for, are figure of spiritual blessing in heavenly things by Christ, the gifts, graces and comforts of the Spirit. When Moses prays for the good will of Hi that dwelt in the bush, he refers to the covenant, on which all ou hopes of God's favour must be founded. The providence of God appoint men's habitations, and wisely disposes men to different employments for the public good. Whatever our place and business are, it is our wisdo and duty to apply thereto; and it is happiness to be well please therewith. We should not only invite others to the service of God, but abound in it. The blessing of Naphtali. The favour of God is the onl favour satisfying to the soul. Those are happy indeed, who have the favour of God; and those shall have it, who reckon that in having i they have enough, and desire no more.
Original Hebrew
בכור 1060 שׁורו 7794 הדר 1926 לו וקרני 7161 ראם 7214 קרניו 7161 בהם עמים 5971 ינגח 5055 יחדו 3162 אפסי 657 ארץ 776 והם 1992 רבבות 7233 אפרים 669 והם 1992 אלפי 505 מנשׁה׃ 4519
