Deuteronomy 33:5

5 And he was king in Jeshurun when the heads of the people, the tribes of Israel, were gathered together 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 Yea, he loved the peoples; all his saints are in thy hand; they also united at thy feet; they received thy words.

4 Moses commanded us law as inheritance unto the congregation of Jacob.

5 And he was king in Jeshurun when the heads of the people, the tribes of Israel, were gathered together as one.

6 Let Reuben live and not die, and let not his men be few.

7 And this blessing is for Judah, and he said, Hear, LORD, the voice of Judah, and bring him unto his people; let his hands be sufficient for him, and be thou a help to him from his enemies.