JOSEPH W. TKACH
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
PASTOR GENERAL