Deuteronomy 33 21

Deuteronomy 33:21 kjv

And he provided the first part for himself, because there, in a portion of the lawgiver, was he seated; and he came with the heads of the people, he executed the justice of the LORD, and his judgments with Israel.

Deuteronomy 33:21 nkjv

He provided the first part for himself, Because a lawgiver's portion was reserved there. He came with the heads of the people; He administered the justice of the LORD, And His judgments with Israel."

Deuteronomy 33:21 niv

He chose the best land for himself; the leader's portion was kept for him. When the heads of the people assembled, he carried out the LORD's righteous will, and his judgments concerning Israel."

Deuteronomy 33:21 esv

He chose the best of the land for himself, for there a commander's portion was reserved; and he came with the heads of the people, with Israel he executed the justice of the LORD, and his judgments for Israel."

Deuteronomy 33:21 nlt

The people of Gad took the best land for themselves;
a leader's share was assigned to them.
When the leaders of the people were assembled,
they carried out the LORD's justice
and obeyed his regulations for Israel."

Deuteronomy 33 verses

Deuteronomy 33 21 Meaning

Deuteronomy 33:21 portrays the tribe of Gad as a pioneering and courageous group within Israel, celebrated for their foresight, martial readiness, and unwavering commitment to divine justice and the welfare of the entire nation. It highlights their strategic choice of territory, recognized as a prime location, and emphasizes their active role in leading the people and upholding the Lord's commandments during the conquest and settlement of the Promised Land.

Deuteronomy 33 21 Context

Deuteronomy 33 forms Moses' final poetic blessing on the twelve tribes of Israel before his death on Mount Nebo and their entry into the Promised Land. This chapter, following Moses' extended discourses and recitation of the law, serves as a poignant farewell, a prophetic look into the future destinies and characteristics of each tribe, highlighting their strengths and their appointed roles within the nascent nation. Specifically, verse 21 concerns the tribe of Gad. Historically, this blessing occurs at the plains of Moab, just as Israel prepares to cross the Jordan River. The Transjordanian tribes—Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh—had already requested and received their inheritance east of the Jordan, but only on the condition that their armed men would cross with the rest of Israel to conquer Canaan first (Num 32). This verse thus recognizes Gad's unique situation, their strategic choice of land, and their fulfillment of their vow to participate in the conquest. It praises their distinctive spirit, leadership, and fidelity to God's wider covenant demands.

Deuteronomy 33 21 Word analysis

• וַיַּרְא (vay-yar'): "And he saw" / "He chose for himself"

  • Meaning: The root is ra'ah (רָאָה), to see. Here, in the hifil stem, it implies foresight or selection. It refers to Gad’s proactive decision regarding their inheritance.
  • Significance: Unlike other tribes whose inheritance was primarily by lot in Canaan, Gad made a conscious, strategic choice of land east of the Jordan (Num 32:1-5), demonstrating a keen perception or "seeing" of what was beneficial and opportune. It also conveys a sense of choosing something excellent.

• רֵאשִׁית (re'shith): "The best," "first portion," "firstfruits"

  • Meaning: From rosh (ראשׁ), head. Denotes that which is at the beginning, principal, chief, or best.
  • Significance: This implies Gad chose or was given the choicest part of the land available for their specific purpose. It might also allude to their readiness to be among the first (heads) to go into battle.

• לוֹ (lo): "For himself"

  • Meaning: A reflexive pronoun.
  • Significance: Reinforces Gad's deliberate selection of their territory for their own tribe, emphasizing their initiative in securing their portion.

• כִּי־שָׁם (ki-sham): "For there"

  • Meaning: A causal particle "for" and an adverb of place "there."
  • Significance: Connects the quality of the land with the specific reason it was chosen—because of what was designated or reserved there.

• חֶלְקַת (chel-kat): "Portion," "tract of land"

  • Meaning: A plot or division of land.
  • Significance: Refers directly to the geographical inheritance of the tribe.

• מְחֹקֵק (m'cho-kake): "A ruler," "lawgiver," "enacter," "leader"

  • Meaning: From the root chaqak (חָקַק), to engrave, decree, legislate. It signifies one who gives laws or holds authority, often associated with a king or tribal leader.
  • Significance: This is a profound descriptor for Gad. It suggests either that a ruler was to come from Gad, or that the tribe of Gad itself exemplified the qualities of a "law-giver" or leader in upholding God's statutes, perhaps by its commitment to justice. Some interpret it as referring to Moses, who designated their land.

• סָפוּן (sa-poon): "Reserved," "hidden," "laid up"

  • Meaning: From saphan (סָפַן), to cover, store up, hide away.
  • Significance: Suggests that Gad's unique portion and their destined role as leaders or upholders of justice was not arbitrary but pre-ordained or specifically appointed for them by divine providence. It hints at a hidden, deeper purpose behind their inheritance.

• וַיֵּתֶא (vay-ye-te'): "And he came forth," "He led"

  • Meaning: From yata (יָתָה), to stretch out, extend, or advance. Here, it conveys moving forward prominently, especially leading.
  • Significance: This clearly depicts Gad's military role in fulfilling their promise to Moses: they came forth as the vanguard of Israelite forces for the conquest (Num 32:32, Josh 4:12).

• רָאשֵׁי עָם (ra'shey am): "Heads of the people," "chiefs of the people"

  • Meaning: Plural of rosh (ראשׁ) 'head, chief,' followed by 'people'.
  • Significance: This affirms Gad's leadership role, not just in their own tribe, but at the forefront of the entire nation of Israel during the crucial period of conquest. They led by example and through active participation.

• צִדְקַת יְהוָה (tzidkat Yahweh): "The righteousness of the LORD"

  • Meaning: Tzedaqah (צְדָקָה), means righteousness, justice, uprightness. Yahweh is the proper name of God.
  • Significance: Gad’s actions were not merely strategic but righteous. Their keeping of the covenant vow to cross the Jordan and fight for all Israel, despite having already secured their land, was an act of loyalty to God's will and justice. They executed what was right in the sight of the Lord.

• עָשָׂה (aşah): "He executed," "He did," "He performed"

  • Meaning: A common verb meaning to do, make, perform, accomplish.
  • Significance: Emphasizes the active fulfillment of the righteousness and judgments, showing Gad's commitment manifested in tangible action.

• וּמִשְׁפָּטָיו (u-mish-pa-tav): "And His judgments"

  • Meaning: Mishpatim (מִשְׁפָּטִים) are God’s decrees, ordinances, laws, or acts of justice.
  • Significance: Alongside righteousness, Gad upheld God’s specific legal and ethical commands, demonstrating fidelity to the entire Mosaic covenant. This extends beyond merely fighting; it implies living according to God's standards and potentially aiding in legal administration for the collective good of Israel.

• עִם יִשְׂרָאֵל (im Yisra'el): "With Israel"

  • Meaning: Im means 'with' or 'among.' Yisra'el refers to the whole nation.
  • Significance: Crucially highlights that Gad's actions and leadership were performed for and in conjunction with the entire community of Israel, not just for their own tribal benefit. It underscores their solidarity and unity with the covenant people.

Deuteronomy 33 21 Bonus section

The blessing of Gad serves as a significant contrast to the blessing of Reuben (Deut 33:6) which mentions Reuben's loss of preeminence. Gad, although similarly positioned geographically (east of Jordan), earns commendation for his decisiveness and faithful fulfillment of obligations, effectively stepping into a leading role that Reuben, as the firstborn, might have forfeited. This also prefigures the importance of leadership that aligns with God's justice, even if it comes from unexpected tribal lines. The prophetic element of "m'cho-kake" (ruler/lawgiver) resonates through Israel's history, showing how different tribes contributed to upholding divine order, from judges to kings, reflecting that God uses various members of His body for His purposes. The example of Gad reminds us that spiritual battles and covenant keeping often require pioneering spirit and unwavering solidarity within the community of faith.

Deuteronomy 33 21 Commentary

Deuteronomy 33:21 presents a powerful summation of the tribe of Gad's unique character and contribution to the early history of Israel. Moses' blessing commends Gad not only for their sagacity in choosing their "best portion" east of the Jordan but for demonstrating extraordinary commitment beyond self-interest. The reference to "a ruler's portion was reserved for him" (חֶלְקַת מְחֹקֵק סָפוּן) suggests either an inherent quality of leadership and the capacity to uphold the law within Gad, or a divine decree foreordaining their strategic role in national leadership, perhaps exemplified by the Transjordanian tribes leading the charge into Canaan. Their decision to go armed before the other tribes, acting as the vanguard ("he came with the heads of the people"), was an act of profound loyalty and "executed the LORD's righteousness and His judgments with Israel." This highlights that their martial prowess was not for personal gain but to ensure the entire nation fulfilled God's mandate for conquest and settlement, thereby establishing divine justice and order in the land. It stands as an example of selflessness and communal responsibility in carrying out God’s commands, providing a model for prioritizing divine will over individual or tribal convenience.