Devarim 33:5

5 And He was Melech in Yeshurun, when the Rashei Am and the Shivtei Yisroel were gathered together.

Devarim 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.

---

FOOTNOTES:

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

Devarim 33:5 In-Context

3 Yea, He loved the amim; kol kedoshav (all His holy ones) are in Thy hand: and they sat down at Thy feet; every one shall receive of Thy devarot.

4 Moshe charged us with a torah, even the morashah kehillat Ya’akov (heritage of the Congregation of Ya’akov).

5 And He was Melech in Yeshurun, when the Rashei Am and the Shivtei Yisroel were gathered together.

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

7 And this to Yehudah: and he said, Shema, Hashem, the voice of Yehudah, and bring him unto his people; let his hands contend for him; and be Thou an ezer (help) to him from his enemies.