Deuteronomy 33:5

5 The LORD was king of Jeshurun when the leaders of the people assembled together with all 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 You certainly love your people. All your holy ones are in your hands. They bow at your feet to receive your instructions.

4 Moses gave us these teachings. They belong to the assembly of Jacob.

5 The LORD was king of Jeshurun when the leaders of the people assembled together with all the tribes of Israel.

6 "May the tribe of Reuben live and not die out, though their people are few in number."

7 This is what he said about the tribe of Judah: "Hear the cry of Judah, O LORD, and bring them to their people. They must defend themselves. Help them against their enemies."