L181
WORLDWIDE CHURCH OF GOD
PASADENA CALIFORNIA 91123

JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

December 1987

Dear Friend:

Thank you for your inquiry about Deuteronomy 33 and why Moses did not pronounce a blessing on the tribe of Simeon when he blessed the other tribes.

A possible reason is that Jacob (Israel) had long before excluded Simeon and Levi from a direct inheritance because of their tendency to cruelty. Notice Jacob's pronouncement:

"Simeon and Levi are brethren [a pair, Moffatt version]; instruments of cruelty are in their habitations "Hebrew: weapons of violence their kinship] .... Cursed be their anger, for it was fierce; and their wrath, for it was cruel [a clear reference to the incident recorded in Genesis 34:25-29]: I will divide them in Jacob, and scatter them in Israel" (Gen. 49:5-7).

This was fulfilled by the intermingling of the Simeonites in the inheritance of Judah (Josh. 19:1) and by the dispersion of the tribe of Levi among the other tribes (Josh. 14:3-4).

Of course, we should realize that Simeon was not cursed. It was simply a matter of not being qualified to receive a separate blessing like the other tribes.

If we can be of further assistance, please let us know. It is our pleasure to serve you.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT

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