Jamieson, Fausset & Brown

If only they were wise, they would understand it; they would comprehend their fate.

“Oh, . . . that they would consider their latter end--The terrible judgments, which, in the event of their continued and incorrigible disobedience, would impart so awful a character to the close of their national history.”

Then Moses came with Joshua son of Nun and recited all the words of this song in the hearing of the people.

“Moses . . . spake all the words of this song in the ears, &c.--It has been beautifully styled "the Song of the Dying Swan" [LOWTH].”

This is the blessing that Moses the man of God pronounced upon the Israelites before his death.

“Moses the man of God--This was a common designation of a prophet (1Sa 2:27; 9:6), and it is here applied to Moses, when, like Jacob, he was about to deliver ministerially before his death, a prophetic benediction to Israel.”

Concerning Joseph he said: “May his land be blessed by the LORD with the precious dew from heaven above and the deep waters that lie beneath, with the bountiful harvest…

“"The firstling of the bullock and the horns of the unicorn" (rhinoceros), indicate glory and strength, and it is supposed that under these emblems were shadowed forth the triumphs of Joshua and the new kingdom of Jeroboam, both of whom were of Ephraim (compare Ge…”

Concerning Dan he said: “Dan is a lion’s cub, leaping out of Bashan.”

“Dan is a lion's whelp--His proper settlement in the south of Canaan being too small, he by a sudden and successful irruption, established a colony in the northern extremity of the land.”

And concerning Asher he said: “May Asher be the most blessed of sons; may he be the most favored among his brothers and dip his foot in oil.

“24, 25. of Asher he said--The condition of this tribe is described as combining all the elements of earthly felicity.”

“There is none like the God of Jeshurun, who rides the heavens to your aid, and the clouds in His majesty.

“There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun--The chapter concludes with a congratulatory address to Israel on their peculiar happiness and privilege in having Jehovah for their God and protector.”

Then Moses went up from the plains of Moab to Mount Nebo, to the top of Pisgah, which faces Jericho.

“Immediately below him was "the circle" of the plain of Jericho, with its oasis of palm trees; and far away on his left, the last inhabited spot before the great desert "Zoar." The foreground of the picture alone was clearly discernible.”

Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him.

“Joshua . . . was full of the spirit of wisdom--He was appointed to a peculiar and extraordinary office.”