Deuteronomy 33:5

5 So He became King in Jeshurun^[a] when the leaders of the people gathered with the tribes of Israel.

Deuteronomy 33:5 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 33:5

And he was king in Jeshurun
That is, in Israel, or over the people of Israel, of which name of theirs, (See Gill on Deuteronomy 32:15); either God, as Jarchi; for the government of the Israelites was a theocracy, and their laws were immediately from God, and by him they were guided and directed in all things; wherefore, when they were so importunate for a change in their government, and to have a king over them, they are said to reject the Lord, that he should not reign over them, ( 1 Samuel 8:7 ) ; or Moses, as Aben Ezra on the place, Maimonides ^F6, and others ^F7; who, under God, had the civil government of the Hebrews; both may be received, God was the supreme Governor, and Moses the chief magistrate under him:

when the heads of Israel [and] the tribes of the people were gathered
together;
at Mount Sinai, to hear the law there and then given, or to hear it repeated by Moses, as in this book of Deuteronomy, who were at different times convened together for that purpose, see ( Deuteronomy 1:1 ) ( 5:1 ) ; next follow the particular blessings of the several tribes, beginning with Reuben the firstborn.

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FOOTNOTES:

F6 In Misn. Shebuot, c. 2. sect. 2.
F7 Philo de Vita Mosis, l. 3. p. 681.

Deuteronomy 33:5 In-Context

3 Indeed He loves the people. All Your holy ones are in Your hand, and they assemble at Your feet. Each receives Your words.

4 Moses gave us instruction, a possession for the assembly of Jacob.

5 So He became King in Jeshurun when the leaders of the people gathered with the tribes of Israel.

6 Let Reuben live and not die though his people become few.

7 He said this about Judah: Lord, hear Judah's cry and bring him to his people. He fights for his cause with his own hands, but may You be a help against his foes.

Footnotes

• [a]. Upright One, referring to Israel