Deuteronomy 33:5

Verse

Berean Standard Bible

So the LORD became King in Jeshurun when the leaders of the people gathered, when the tribes of Israel came together.

American Standard Version (1901)

And he was king in Jeshurun, When the heads of the people were gathered, All the tribes of Israel together.

Bible in Basic English

And there was a king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel came together.

Douay-Rheims 1899

He shall be king with the most right, the princes of the people being assembled with the tribes of Israel.

Free Bible Version

The Lord became King in Israel when the people's leaders gathered, when the tribes of Israel assembled.

Geneva Bible 1599

Then he was among the righteous people, as King, when the heades of the people, and the tribes of Israel were assembled.

King James (Authorized) Version

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

One Unity Resource Bible

He was king in Jeshurun [Upright one], when the heads of the people were gathered, all the tribes of Israel [God prevails] together.

Translation for Translators

So Yahweh became the king of his Israeli people when all the tribes and their leaders were gathered together.

Unlocked Literal Bible

Then there was a king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people had gathered, all the tribes of Israel together.

Noah Webster Bible

And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were assembled.

World English Bible

He was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people were gathered, all the tribes of Israel together.

Young's Literal Translation

And he is in Jeshurun king, In the heads of the people gathering together, The tribes of Israel!

Context

Moses Blesses the Twelve Tribes

⁴the law that Moses gave us, the possession of the assembly of Jacob. ⁵So the LORD became King in Jeshurun when the leaders of the people gathered, when the tribes of Israel came together.

Summary

In this verse, Moses blesses the tribe of Levi before his death, acknowledging their faithfulness in upholding God's covenant and laws. The blessing highlights the role of the Levites as priests who teach God's word and offer sacrifices on behalf of the people. It signifies the importance of obedience and dedication in serving the Lord, emphasizing the need for spiritual leadership within the community. This verse also foreshadows the Levites' future responsibilities in the tabernacle and temple worship, underscoring their unique position in Israelite society.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

Let Reuben live, and not die,.... As a tribe, continue and not be extinct, though they should not excel, because of the sin of their progenitor; and it may have a special regard to the preservation of them, of their families on the other side Jordan, while they passed over it with their brethren into Canaan, and of them in that expedition to help the other tribes in the conquest of the country and the settlement of them in it; which Jacob by a spirit of prophecy foresaw, and in a prayer of faith petitioned for their safety: all the three Targums refer the words to a future state, as a wish for them, that they might live and enjoy an eternal life, and not die the death of the wicked in the world to come; and which they call the second death, and from whom the Apostle John seems to have borrowed the phrase, Rev 2:11 Rev 20:6; Reuben signifies, "see the Son"; and all that see the Son of God in a spiritual manner, and believe in him with a true faith, as they live spiritually now, shall live eternally hereafter, and never die the second or eternal death; on them that shall have no power, see Joh 6:40, and let not his men be few; or, "though his men be few?" as Bishop Patrick chooses to render the words, and as they will bear, "vau", being sometimes so used, of which Noldius (h) gives instances; and the number of men in this tribe were but few in comparison of some others; and so those that see the Son of God and believe in him are but a small number; for all men have not faith. Th2 3:2 (h) Concord. part. Ebr. p. 292.