Deuteronomy 33:16

33:16 with the harvest of the earth and its fullness

and the pleasure of him who resided in the burning bush. ¹ 

May blessing rest on Joseph’s head,

and on the top of the head of the one set apart ²  from his brothers.

Deuteronomy 33:20

Blessing on Gad

33:20 Of Gad he said:

Blessed be the one who enlarges Gad.

Like a lioness he will dwell;

he will tear at an arm – indeed, a scalp. ³ 

Deuteronomy 28:35

28:35 The Lord will afflict you in your knees and on your legs with painful, incurable boils – from the soles of your feet to the top of your head.

¹ tn The expression “him who resided in the bush” is frequently understood as a reference to the appearance of the Lord to Moses at Sinai from a burning bush (so NIV, NCV, TEV, CEV, NLT; cf. Exod 2:2-6; 3:2, 4). To make this reference clear the word “burning” is supplied in the translation.

² sn This apparently refers to Joseph’s special status among his brothers as a result of his being chosen by God to save the family from the famine and to lead Egypt.

³ tn Heb “forehead,” picturing Gad attacking prey.