Deuteronomy 33:2-5

The Proem The Origin of Israel

The Revelation by which the tribes became a nation is described in the mingled figures of a dawn and a thunderstorm, theophanies frequent in the Ar. poetry of the desert where natural phenomena suggestive of divine appearance and power are few (hardly more than these and the rainbow); and used several times in Heb. poetry of Jehovah the Inhabiter of Sinai; Judges 5:4 f., Habakkuk 3:3 ff.; cp. Psalms 18:29. and contrast 1 Kings 19:11 f. See further Early Poetry of Israel, 56 ff.

2  The Lord from Sinai is come

And risen on us from Se-îr,

Hath flashed from the hills of Parán,

And sped from Merîbath-Ḳadesh.

[From the South (?) blazed fire (?) on them.]

3  Lover indeed of His people,

His hallowed are all in His hand,

They, they fall in (?) at Thy feet,

They take up Thine orders.

4  [Moses commanded us law]

His domain is the Assembly of Jacob,

5  And King He became in Y e shurun,

When the heads of the people were gathered,

The tribes of Israel were one.