Deuteronomy 33:5

5 And he was in Israel kinge when he gathered the heedes of the people and the tribes of Israel to gether.

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 How loued he the people? All his sayntes are in his honde. They yoyned the selues vnto thy fote and receaued thi wordes.

4 Moses gaue us a lawe which is the enheritaunce of the cogregacion of Iacob.

5 And he was in Israel kinge when he gathered the heedes of the people and the tribes of Israel to gether.

6 Ruben shall lyue and shall not dye: but his people shalbe few in numbre.

7 This is the blessynge of Iuda. And he sayed: heare Lorde the voyce of Iuda and bringe him vnto his people: let his handes fyght for him: but he thou his helpe agenst his enemies.