Deuteronomy 33:9

7 And concerning Judah he said: “O LORD, hear the cry of Judah and bring him to his people. With his own hands he defends his cause, but may You be a help against his foes.”

8 Concerning Levi he said: “Give Your Thummim to Levi and Your Urim to Your godly one, whom You tested at Massah and contested at the waters of Meribah.

He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant.

10 He will teach Your ordinances to Jacob and Your law to Israel; he will set incense before You and whole burnt offerings on Your altar.

11 Bless his substance, O LORD, and accept the work of his hands. Smash the loins of those who rise against him, and of his foes so they can rise no more.”

This was said to Israel at a particular time, so it is wise to read it together with the surrounding text. Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
He said of his father and mother, ‘I do not consider them.’ He disregarded his brothers and did not know his own sons, for he kept Your word and maintained Your covenant.
KJV
Who said unto his father and to his mother, I have not seen him; neither did he acknowledge his brethren, nor knew his own children: for they have observed thy word, and kept thy covenant.
WEB
He said of his father, and of his mother, ‘I have not seen him.’ He didn’t acknowledge his brothers, nor did he know his own children; for they have observed your word, and keep your covenant.
ASV
Who said of his father, and of his mother, I have not seen him; Neither did he acknowledge his brethren, Nor knew he his own children: For they have observed thy word, And keep thy covenant.
DARBY
Who said to his father and to his mother, I see him not, And he acknowledged not his brethren, And knew not his own children; For they have observed thy word, And kept thy covenant.
BLB
who says of his father and mother, ‘I have not seen them,’ and his brothers he did not acknowledge, and his own sons he did not know; for they have kept Your word, and Your covenant they keep.
ÅB
han som sa om sin far og sin mor: Jeg ser dem ikke, og som ikke kjentes ved sine brødre og ikke visste av sine barn, fordi han tok vare på ditt ord og aktet vel på din pakt.
OTB
Han sa om sin far og mor: ‘Jeg bryr meg ikke om dem.’ Han anerkjente ikke sine brødre eller brydde seg om sine egne barn, for de holdt ditt ord og voktet din pakt.
B1930
han som sa om sin far og sin mor: Jeg ser dem ikke, og som ikke kjentes ved sine brødre og ikke visste av sine barn, fordi han tok vare på ditt ord og aktet vel på din pakt.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Matthew 10:37

    Anyone who loves his father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me;

    Read in context
  • Exodus 32:25–29

    Moses saw that the people were out of control, for Aaron had let them run wild and become a laughingstock to their enemies.

    Read in context
  • Jeremiah 18:18

    Then some said, “Come, let us make plans against Jeremiah, for the law will never be lost to the priest, nor counsel to the wise, nor an oracle to the prophet. Come, let us denounce him and pay no heed to any of his words.”

    Read in context
  • Leviticus 21:11

    He must not go near any dead body; he must not defile himself, even for his father or mother.

    Read in context
  • Luke 14:26

    “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be My disciple.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 12:48

    But Jesus replied, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?”

    Read in context
  • Galatians 1:10

    Am I now seeking the approval of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ.

    Read in context
  • Matthew 22:16

    They sent their disciples to Him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know that You are honest and that You teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You seek favor from no one, because You pay no attention to external appearance.

    Read in context