Deuteronomy 33:21

21 He chose the best land for his livestock. The leader's share was kept for him. The leaders of the people came together. Then Gad carried out the LORD's holy plan. He carried out the LORD's decisions for Israel."

Deuteronomy 33:21 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 33:21

And he provided a first part for himself
That is, the portion of the land of Sihon and Og, as Jarchi rightly interprets it; which was the beginning or firstfruits of the subduing of the land that was promised; this he looked at, chose, and desired it as his inheritance, ( Numbers 32:1 Numbers 32:2 ) ;

because there, [in] a portion of the lawgiver, [was he] seated;
or in the portion and part of the inheritance of Israel was he placed by Moses the lawgiver, according to the will of God; or because there were in it palaces and towers of great personages, lawgivers, kings, and princes, well covered and strongly fortified; or here he was "hid", or "protected", i.e. their families, wives, and children, while they assisted their brethren in subduing Canaan:

and he came with the heads of the people;
either "to" them, to Moses, Eleazar, and the seventy elders, and the heads of the tribes of Israel, to ask leave to have his part and portion on the other side Jordan, or "with" them, as we supply it; came with them over Jordan armed, to assist in the conquest and subduing of the land of Canaan:

he executed the justice of the Lord, and his judgments with Israel;
that is, either he justly and truly fulfilled all his promises and engagements, on condition of which he was placed on the other side; or he, together with the rest of the Israelites, executed the righteous judgment of God upon the Canaanites, in the expulsion and destruction of them.

Deuteronomy 33:21 In-Context

19 You will call for all of the other Israelites to go to the mountain. There you will offer proper sacrifices. You will enjoy the many good things your ships bring you. You will enjoy treasures that are hidden in the sand."
20 Here's what Moses said about Gad. "May the One who gives Gad more land be praised! Gad lives there like a lion that tears off arms and heads.
21 He chose the best land for his livestock. The leader's share was kept for him. The leaders of the people came together. Then Gad carried out the LORD's holy plan. He carried out the LORD's decisions for Israel."
22 Here's what Moses said about Dan. "Dan is like a lion's cub that charges out of the land of Bashan."
23 Here's what Moses said about Naphtali. "The LORD greatly favors Naphtali. The LORD fills him with his blessing. Naphtali's land will reach south to the Sea of Galilee."
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