John Calvin Commentary Deuteronomy 33:28

"And Israel dwelleth in safety, The fountain of Jacob alone, In a land of grain and new wine; Yea, his heavens drop down dew." — Deuteronomy 33:28 (ASV)

Israel then shall dwell in safety alone.³²⁸ The beginning of the verse is by no means obscure, for Moses promises in it to the elect people what all naturally have a great desire for, namely, peace or tranquillity. For one is said to dwell confidently alone who fears no danger, whom no anxiety harasses, and who needs no garrison or defense.

Indeed, God never fully granted this to the Israelites—that they should inhabit their land in security and without the fear of enemies—since their ingratitude did not allow it. Therefore, the prophets, in enumerating the blessings of Christ’s kingdom, declare that everyone should dwell beneath his own vine, and his own fig-tree.

For “the fountain of Jacob,” some use the word eye,³²⁹ and suppose it is used metaphorically for his vision, as if it were said that the quiet and peaceful habitation referred to was to be expected by the people from the vision of their father Jacob. Others, however, more correctly read the words “fountain of Jacob” in apposition with Israel, since all the tribes derived their origin from that one father. In this way, the “fountain” will not be only the actual source but also the rivulet, or stream, that flows down from it.

In conclusion, Moses promises that the very sky of the Holy Land would be favorable and kind.

³²⁸ Lat., “Israel ., “Israel hath dwelt,” etc. dwelt,” etc.

³²⁹ עין. A . A spring, or an , or an eye (from its weeping.) The (from its weeping.) The V. with . with S.M. have taken it to mean have taken it to mean an eye here. Luther, Diodati, and here. Luther, Diodati, and A.V. a fountain. C. saw in the notes of saw in the notes of S.M. that Kimchi and the Chaldee paraphrast had taken the word literally to be that Kimchi and the Chaldee paraphrast had taken the word literally to be the eye, and, by metaphor, the vision of Jacob. — and, by metaphor, the vision of Jacob. — W