Deuteronomy 33:5

5 The LORD became king in Israel — when the leaders of the people assembled, when the tribes of Israel gathered as one.”

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 his people; all his holy ones are in his hands. They follow in his steps and accept his teaching.

4 Moses gave us the LORD ’s instruction, the special possession of the people of Israel.

5 The LORD became king in Israel — when the leaders of the people assembled, when the tribes of Israel gathered as one.”

6 Moses said this about the tribe of Reuben: “Let the tribe of Reuben live and not die out, though they are few in number.”

7 Moses said this about the tribe of Judah: “O LORD, hear the cry of Judah and bring them together as a people. Give them strength to defend their cause; help them against their enemies!”

Footnotes

• [a]. Hebrew in Jeshurun, a term of endearment for Israel.