Deuteronomy 32:9

32:9 For the Lord’s allotment is his people,

Jacob is his special possession. ¹ 

Deuteronomy 33:4

33:4 Moses delivered to us a law, ² 

an inheritance for the assembly of Jacob.

Deuteronomy 33:28

33:28 Israel lives in safety,

the fountain of Jacob is quite secure, ³ 

in a land of grain and new wine;

indeed, its heavens ⁴  rain down dew. ⁵ 

¹ tc Heb “the portion of his inheritance.” The LXX and Smr add “Israel” and BHS suggests the reconstruction: “The Lord’s allotment is Jacob, the portion of his inheritance is Israel” (cf. NAB). While providing good parallelism, it destroys a fine chiastic structure: “allotment” (a), “his people” (b), “Jacob (b’), and “inheritance” (a’).

² tn The Hebrew term תּוֹרָה (torah) here should be understood more broadly as instruction.

³ tn Heb “all alone.” The idea is that such vital resources as water will some day no longer need protection because God will provide security.

⁴ tn Or “skies.” The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heaven(s)” or “sky” depending on the context.

⁵ tn Or perhaps “drizzle, showers.” See note at Deut 32:2.