דברים, פרק ל״ג, פסוק ט״ז

Joseph’s final blessing culminates in a unique union of immense material wealth and supreme divine providence. Moving beyond the fruits of the mountains and hills, the focus shifts to the plains and valleys. His territory is promised the finest produce of the flatlands, encompassing everything that fills the earth, from humans and animals to hidden treasures, minerals, and silver [רמב״ן, רבנו בחיי, ביאור יש״ר]. Others attribute this exceptional wealth to the geographic location of Joseph’s inheritance along the seacoast, allowing his land to overflow with precious goods and foreign crops arriving through maritime trade routes [רלב״ג, הכתב והקבלה]. Another perspective suggests a global concentration of resources, where every species and form of abundance found across the world will be gathered within his borders [העמק דבר], with the profound sweetness of these fruits originating directly from God [מלבי״ם].

Material prosperity remains incomplete without a spiritual counterpart. The primary approach among commentators is that God's ultimate favor and satisfaction will rest upon Joseph [רש״י, הכתב והקבלה, אדרת אליהו, בכור שור]. This divine goodwill is closely associated with the burning bush. The central view connects this to God’s initial revelation to Moses, carrying several profound layers of meaning [רש״י, ספורנו, רבנו בחיי]. It symbolizes God’s enduring promise to remain with Israel during times of distress [ספורנו, אור החיים, גור אריה]. It also represents deep humility, a trait Joseph faithfully maintained even while ruling over Egypt [משכיל לדוד]. Furthermore, it signifies eternal providence; just as the bush burned but was never consumed, Joseph’s abundance will never cease [ביאור יש״ר].

Alternatively, the imagery may not refer to the revelation itself, but rather to Mount Sinai, which was named after the bush and served as a resting place for the Divine Presence [רמב״ן, שד״ל, הטור הארוך]. A more literal interpretation suggests that the blessing targets the arid, thorny regions of Joseph's land, promising that even the driest areas will find favor before God and overflow with water and life [הכתב והקבלה, פענח רזא, בכור שור]. Other traditions view this as a historical and geographical foresight, indicating that the Divine Presence would eventually rest in Joseph's territory within the Tabernacle of Shiloh [תורה תמימה, בכור שור]. It also serves as a subtle nod to Joshua, a descendant of Joseph, who would ultimately fulfill the promise of redemption first spoken at the bush [נחלת יעקב]. Finally, a parallel is drawn between Moses, who hid his face at the burning bush, and Joseph, who similarly guarded his eyes and maintained his moral purity when tested by Potiphar's wife [דברי דוד].

All of this abundant wealth and divine favor is destined to descend upon Joseph completely and in overwhelming measure [אבן עזרא, הכתב והקבלה, גור אריה]. Symbolically, just as Joseph was the first to enter the exile of Egypt, he is uniquely positioned to be the first to experience redemption [רבנו בחיי, צפנת פענח]. Ultimately, his distinct status among his brothers is defined in two complementary ways. On one hand, it highlights his painful separation, having been torn away from his family and sold into slavery [רש״י, אור החיים, בכור שור]. Despite this agonizing distance and the severe trials he faced, he preserved his purity and exercised absolute restraint against worldly temptations, earning this profound blessing [אור החיים, העמק דבר, רלב״ג, נתינה לגר]. On the other hand, his status denotes a crown of royalty, reflecting how Joseph achieved immense greatness, ruling over his brothers while sustaining them with unwavering piety [ספורנו, מלבי״ם, ביאור שטיינזלץ].