en_tn/deu/33/17.md

# General Information:

Moses continues to bless the tribes of Israel; the blessings are short poems. He continues to describe the tribe of Joseph, which he began to do in [Deuteronomy 33:13](../33/13.md). (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-parallelism]])

# The firstborn of an ox, majestic is he

The ox is a metaphor for something large and strong. The word "firstborn" is a metaphor for honor. Alternate translation: "People will honor Joseph's descendants, who are many and powerful" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])

# his horns are the horns of

The horn is a metaphor for strength. Alternate translation: "he is as strong as" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])

# With them he will push

Pushing with his horns is a metaphor for strength. Alternate translation: "He is so strong that he will push" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/figs-metaphor]])

# ten thousands of Ephraim ... the thousands of Manasseh

This means the tribe of Ephraim will be stronger than the tribe of Manasseh. Alternate translation: "the people of Ephraim, who number many times 10,000 ... the people of Manasseh, who number many times 1,000" (See: [[rc://en/ta/man/jit/translate-numbers]])