Deuteronomy 33:5
Deuteronomy 33:5 in Multiple Translations
So the LORD became King in Jeshurun when the leaders of the people gathered, when the tribes of Israel came together.
And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together.
And he was king in Jeshurun, When the heads of the people were gathered, All the tribes of Israel together.
And there was a king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel came together.
The Lord became King in Israel when the people's leaders gathered, when the tribes of Israel assembled.
Then he was among the righteous people, as King, when the heades of the people, and the tribes of Israel were assembled.
And he is in Jeshurun king, In the heads of the people gathering together, The tribes of Israel!
He was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people were gathered, all the tribes of Israel together.
And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were assembled.
He shall be king with the most right, the princes of the people being assembled with the tribes of Israel.
So Yahweh became the king of his Israeli people when all the tribes and their leaders were gathered together.
Berean Amplified Bible — Deuteronomy 33:5
BAB
Word Study
Hover over any word to see its amplified meaning. Click a word to explore its full definition and translation comparisons.
Amplified text is generated using scripting to tie together English translations for comparison. Always refer to the core BSB translation and original Hebrew/Greek text for accuracy. Anomalies may occur.
Deuteronomy 33:5 Interlinear (Deep Study)
BIB
HEB
וַ/יְהִ֥י
בִ/ישֻׁר֖וּן
מֶ֑לֶךְ
בְּ/הִתְאַסֵּף֙
רָ֣אשֵׁי
עָ֔ם
יַ֖חַד
שִׁבְטֵ֥י
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
וַ/יְהִ֥י
hâyâh
H1961
to be
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
בִ/ישֻׁר֖וּן
Yᵉshurûwn
H3484
Jeshurun
Prep | N-proper
מֶ֑לֶךְ
melek
H4428
King's
N-ms
בְּ/הִתְאַסֵּף֙
ʼâçaph
H622
to gather
Prep | V-Hithpael-Inf-a
רָ֣אשֵׁי
rôʼsh
H7218
head
N-mp
עָ֔ם
ʻam
H5971
Amaw
N-ms
יַ֖חַד
yachad
H3162
unitedness
Adv
שִׁבְטֵ֥י
shêbeṭ
H7626
tribe
N-mp
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
Israel
N-proper
Hebrew Word Study
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Hebrew Word Reference — Deuteronomy 33:5
וַ/יְהִ֥י
hâyâh
H1961
"to be"
Conj | V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms
The Hebrew word for to be means to exist or come into being. It is used to describe something that happens or comes to pass, like in Genesis where God creates the world.
Definition: 1) to be, become, come to pass, exist, happen, fall out 1a) (Qal) 1a1) --- 1a1a) to happen, fall out, occur, take place, come about, come to pass 1a1b) to come about, come to pass 1a2) to come into being, become 1a2a) to arise, appear, come 1a2b) to become 1a2b1) to become 1a2b2) to become like 1a2b3) to be instituted, be established 1a3) to be 1a3a) to exist, be in existence 1a3b) to abide, remain, continue (with word of place or time) 1a3c) to stand, lie, be in, be at, be situated (with word of locality) 1a3d) to accompany, be with 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to occur, come to pass, be done, be brought about 1b2) to be done, be finished, be gone
Usage: Occurs in 3131 OT verses. KJV: beacon, [idiom] altogether, be(-come), accomplished, committed, like), break, cause, come (to pass), do, faint, fall, [phrase] follow, happen, [idiom] have, last, pertain, quit (one-) self, require, [idiom] use. See also: Genesis 1:2; Genesis 17:4; Genesis 36:11.
בִ/ישֻׁר֖וּן
Yᵉshurûwn
H3484
"Jeshurun"
Prep | N-proper
Jeshurun is a symbolic name for Israel, referring to the nation as a whole, and is used in Deuteronomy to describe God's beloved people.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently Another name of yis.ra.el (יִשְׂרָאֵל "Israel" H3478) § Jeshurun = "upright one" a symbolic name for Israel describing her ideal character
Usage: Occurs in 4 OT verses. KJV: Jeshurun. See also: Deuteronomy 32:15; Deuteronomy 33:26; Isaiah 44:2.
מֶ֑לֶךְ
melek
H4428
"King's"
N-ms
This word refers to a king or royal person, like King David or King Saul. It can also describe something related to a king, like the King's Valley in Genesis. The Bible often uses this word to talk about the rulers of Israel.
Definition: King's (Valley) (Gen.14.17)
Usage: Occurs in 1919 OT verses. KJV: king, royal. See also: Genesis 14:1; Joshua 10:39; 1 Samuel 16:1.
בְּ/הִתְאַסֵּף֙
ʼâçaph
H622
"to gather"
Prep | V-Hithpael-Inf-a
To gather means to bring people or things together, often for a purpose like worship or community. It can also mean to take away or remove something, like gathering a harvest. This word appears in books like Genesis and Psalms.
Definition: 1) to gather, receive, remove, gather in 1a) (Qal) 1a1) to gather, collect 1a2) to gather (an individual into company of others) 1a3) to bring up the rear 1a4) to gather and take away, remove, withdraw 1b) (Niphal) 1b1) to assemble, be gathered 1b2) (pass of Qal 1a2) 1b2a) to be gathered to one's fathers 1b2b) to be brought in or into (association with others) 1b3) (pass of Qal 1a4) 1b3a) to be taken away, removed, perish 1c) (Piel) 1c1) to gather (harvest) 1c2) to take in, receive into 1c3) rearguard, rearward (subst) 1d) (Pual) to be gathered 1e) (Hithpael) to gather oneself or themselves
Usage: Occurs in 188 OT verses. KJV: assemble, bring, consume, destroy, felch, gather (in, together, up again), [idiom] generally, get (him), lose, put all together, receive, recover (another from leprosy), (be) rereward, [idiom] surely, take (away, into, up), [idiom] utterly, withdraw. See also: Genesis 6:21; 1 Chronicles 11:13; Psalms 26:9.
רָ֣אשֵׁי
rôʼsh
H7218
"head"
N-mp
This Hebrew word means chief or prince, and is used to describe leaders in the Bible, such as in the book of 1 Samuel. It signifies a position of authority and importance.
Definition: : head 1) head, top, summit, upper part, chief, total, sum, height, front, beginning 1a) head (of man, animals) 1b) top, tip (of mountain) 1c) height (of stars) 1d) chief, head (of man, city, nation, place, family, priest) 1e) head, front, beginning 1f) chief, choicest, best 1g) head, division, company, band 1h) sum
Usage: Occurs in 547 OT verses. KJV: band, beginning, captain, chapiter, chief(-est place, man, things), company, end, [idiom] every (man), excellent, first, forefront, (be-)head, height, (on) high(-est part, (priest)), [idiom] lead, [idiom] poor, principal, ruler, sum, top. See also: Genesis 2:10; Numbers 17:18; 2 Samuel 4:7.
עָ֔ם
ʻam
H5971
"Amaw"
N-ms
A people or nation is what this Hebrew word represents, like the nation of Israel in Exodus 33:13. It can also mean a tribe, troops, or attendants, and is used to describe a group of people gathered together. The word is often used to refer to the people of God.
Definition: This name means nation, people
Usage: Occurs in 1655 OT verses. KJV: folk, men, nation, people. See also: Genesis 11:6; Exodus 16:4; Leviticus 17:9.
יַ֖חַד
yachad
H3162
"unitedness"
Adv
This adverb means together, describing people doing something in unity, like in Psalm 133:1.
Definition: 1) union, unitedness
Usage: Occurs in 139 OT verses. KJV: alike, at all (once), both, likewise, only, (al-) together, withal. See also: Genesis 13:6; Psalms 62:10; Psalms 2:2.
שִׁבְטֵ֥י
shêbeṭ
H7626
"tribe"
N-mp
This word means a stick or staff, but also a clan or tribe, and can refer to a symbol of authority or a tool for punishing. It is used in the Bible to describe the rods used by shepherds or the scepters of kings.
Definition: : tribe 1) rod, staff, branch, offshoot, club, sceptre, tribe 1a) rod, staff 1b) shaft (of spear, dart) 1c) club (of shepherd's implement) 1d) truncheon, sceptre (mark of authority) 1e) clan, tribe
Usage: Occurs in 178 OT verses. KJV: [idiom] correction, dart, rod, sceptre, staff, tribe. See also: Genesis 49:10; 2 Samuel 24:2; Psalms 2:9.
יִשְׂרָאֵֽל
Yisrâʼêl
H3478
"Israel"
N-proper
Israel is the symbolic name of Jacob, also referring to his descendants. Jacob, son of Isaac and Rebekah, had 12 sons who became the tribes of Israel, as told in Genesis 25:26. His story is crucial to the Bible's narrative.
Definition: A man living at the time of the Patriarchs, first mentioned at Gen.25.26; son of: Isaac (H3327) and Rebekah (H7259); brother of: Esau (H6215); married to Rachel (H7354), Leah (H3812), Zilpah (H2153) and Bilhah (H1090A); father of: Reuben (H7205), Simeon (H8095), Levi (H3878), Judah (H3063), Dan (H1835H), Naphtali (H5321), Gad (H1410), Asher (H0836), Issachar (H3485), Zebulun (H2074), Dinah (H1783), Joseph (H3130) and Benjamin (H1144); also called Jacob frequently § Israel = "God prevails" 1) the second name for Jacob given to him by God after his wrestling with the angel at Peniel 2) the name of the descendants and the nation of the descendants of Jacob 2a) the name of the nation until the death of Solomon and the split 2b) the name used and given to the northern kingdom consisting of the 10 tribes under Jeroboam; the southern kingdom was known as Judah 2c) the name of the nation after the return from exile
Usage: Occurs in 2231 OT verses. KJV: Israel. See also: Genesis 32:29; Exodus 13:18; Exodus 40:38.
Study Notes — Deuteronomy 33:5
Show Verse Quote Highlights
- Context
- Cross References
- Deuteronomy 33:5 Summary
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Reflection Questions
- Gill's Exposition on Deuteronomy 33:5
- Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 33:5
- Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 33:5
- Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 33:5
- Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 33:5
- Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 33:5
- Barnes' Notes on Deuteronomy 33:5
- Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 33:5
- Sermons on Deuteronomy 33:5
Context — Moses Blesses the Twelve Tribes
3Surely You love the people; all the holy ones are in Your hand, and they sit down at Your feet; each receives Your words—
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.
6Let Reuben live and not die, nor his men be few.” 7And concerning Judah he said: “O LORD, hear the cry of Judah and bring him to his people. With his own hands he defends his cause, but may You be a help against his foes.”Cross References
| Reference | Text (BSB) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Deuteronomy 32:15 | But Jeshurun grew fat and kicked— becoming fat, bloated, and gorged. He abandoned the God who made him and scorned the Rock of his salvation. |
| 2 | Judges 17:6 | In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes. |
| 3 | Numbers 23:21 | He considers no disaster for Jacob; He sees no trouble for Israel. The LORD their God is with them, and the shout of the King is among them. |
| 4 | Judges 9:2 | “Please ask all the leaders of Shechem, ‘Is it better for you that seventy men, all the sons of Jerubbaal, rule over you, or just one man?’ Remember that I am your own flesh and blood.” |
| 5 | Exodus 18:16 | “Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me to judge between one man and another, and I make known to them the statutes and laws of God.” |
| 6 | Exodus 18:19 | Now listen to me; I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people’s representative before God and bring their causes to Him. |
| 7 | Judges 8:22 | Then the Israelites said to Gideon, “Rule over us—you and your son and grandson—for you have saved us from the hand of Midian.” |
| 8 | Numbers 16:13–15 | Is it not enough that you have brought us up out of a land flowing with milk and honey to kill us in the wilderness? Must you also appoint yourself as ruler over us? Moreover, you have not brought us into a land flowing with milk and honey or given us an inheritance of fields and vineyards. Will you gouge out the eyes of these men? No, we will not come!” Then Moses became very angry and said to the LORD, “Do not regard their offering. I have not taken one donkey from them or mistreated a single one of them.” |
| 9 | Genesis 36:31 | These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom before any king reigned over the Israelites: |
Deuteronomy 33:5 Summary
In Deuteronomy 33:5, we see the Lord becoming King over His people, Israel, as they gather together in unity. This means that God is taking His rightful place as their ruler and leader, guiding and protecting them as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, similar to what is described in Exodus 13:21-22. As believers today, we can learn from this example by acknowledging and submitting to God's sovereignty in our own lives, as part of His spiritual kingdom, according to verses like Romans 14:17 and 1 Corinthians 4:20. By doing so, we can experience God's presence and guidance in our lives, just like the Israelites did, as promised in verses like Jeremiah 29:11-13 and Matthew 28:20.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does it mean for the Lord to become King in Jeshurun?
This refers to the Lord's sovereignty over His people, Israel, as seen in Deuteronomy 33:5, where the leaders and tribes of Israel gather together, acknowledging God's rule over them, similar to what is described in Exodus 19:5-6, where Israel is called to be a kingdom of priests.
Who are the leaders of the people and the tribes of Israel in this verse?
The leaders and tribes of Israel represent the entirety of God's chosen people, gathered together in unity, as seen in Deuteronomy 33:5, with each tribe playing a vital role in the nation, as outlined in books like Numbers and Joshua, which detail their history and roles.
What is the significance of the Lord becoming King in this context?
The Lord becoming King in Jeshurun signifies the establishment of God's rule and authority over His people, Israel, as they prepare to enter the Promised Land, with the Lord as their Guide and Protector, as promised in Deuteronomy 1:30-31 and Joshua 1:5-7.
How does this relate to the concept of God's kingdom today?
The idea of God's kingdom, as seen in Deuteronomy 33:5, is still relevant today, as believers are called to acknowledge and submit to God's sovereignty in their lives, as part of His spiritual kingdom, according to verses like Matthew 6:10 and Luke 17:21.
Reflection Questions
- What does it mean for me to acknowledge God's sovereignty in my life, and how can I submit to His rule?
- In what ways can I, like the Israelites, gather with other believers to worship and acknowledge God's presence in our midst?
- How can I, as a part of God's spiritual kingdom, reflect His character and kingdom values to those around me, as described in verses like Matthew 5:13-16?
- What are some ways that God's kingdom is advancing in my life and in the world, and how can I be a part of it, according to verses like Acts 1:8 and 1 Corinthians 3:6-9?
Gill's Exposition on 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 comments on Deuteronomy 32:15]; either God, as Jarchi; for the government of the
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown on Deuteronomy 33:5
And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together. And he was king in Jeshurun. On "Jeshurun" as a designation of Israel, see Deuteronomy 32:15.
Matthew Poole's Commentary on Deuteronomy 33:5
Moses was their king, not in title, but in reality, being under God their supreme and uncontrollable governor and lawgiver: though the word oft signifies only a prince or chief ruler, as 46:25. In Jeshurun, i.e. in Israel, so called . When the heads of the people and the tribes of Israel were gathered together: when the princes and people met together for the management of public affairs, Moses was owned by them as their king and lawgiver, and he directed and ruled them as their superior. This he saith to show that the people approved and consented to the authority and law of Moses.
Trapp's Commentary on Deuteronomy 33:5
Deuteronomy 33:5 And he was king in Jeshurun, when the heads of the people [and] the tribes of Israel were gathered together.Ver. 5. And he was king in Jeshurun.] A heroic king, reigning by virtue and justice only, not by force and violence: one that said not, εξεστι, but καηνκει; This I can do, but this is fit for me to do. When the heads of the people, and the tribes.] Here was a government made up of king, lords, and commons. The best of governments, doubtless, so that the beam be kept right between sovereignty and subjection. The contention between prince and people, about command and obedience, ceased not till the Magna Charta, first obtained of King John, after of his son Henry III, though observed truly of neither, was in the maturity of a judicial prince, Edward I, freely ratified after fourscore years.
Ellicott's Commentary on Deuteronomy 33:5
(4,5) “[Of] the law which Moses commanded us, The inheritance of the congregation of Jacob, When he (Moses) was king in Jeshurun, In the gathering of the heads of the people, The tribes of Israel together.” This fourth verse, from its form, is evidently not what Moses said, but an explanatory parenthesis, inserted by the writer, who was probably Joshua. Upon “He was king in Jeshurun,” Rashi says, “The Holy One, blessed be He! the yoke of His kingdom is upon them for ever.” It may be so. “When the Lord your God was your king,” is Samuel’s description of the whole history of Israel previous to himself. The certainty that the King of kings, the Messiah of Israel, was and is the Lawgiver and Teacher, and Keeper of all saints, and that there are none of that character who do not “sit at the feet of Jesus,” makes the real meaning of the passage perfectly plain, even though the exact grammatical relation of the clauses may be not beyond dispute.
Cambridge Bible on Deuteronomy 33:5
5. And he became king in Jeshurun] i.e. Jehovah. Graf, Wellh., Stade render and there was a king, i.e. Saul, but Saul is not relevant here. On Yeshurun see Deuteronomy 32:15.
Barnes' Notes on Deuteronomy 33:5
He was king - i. e., not Moses but the Lord became king.
Whedon's Commentary on Deuteronomy 33:5
5. And he was king in Jeshurun — That is, Jehovah became king over the righteous nation. Comp. Deuteronomy 32:15. Were gathered together — This refers to the assembling around Sinai to receive the law.
Sermons on Deuteronomy 33:5
| Sermon | Description | |
|---|---|---|
|
When Tears Come to a Religious Man's House by Carter Conlon | In this sermon, the preacher focuses on a story from Luke Chapter 7 where Jesus is dining at the house of a man named Simon. The preacher highlights how Simon, a religious man, fai |
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Isaiah (Part 1) - Introduction by Ron Bailey | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes that God does not shy away from hopeless cases, despite our limited resources and narrow hearts. He highlights how God speaks to nations and |
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The Depravity of Jealousy by Erlo Stegen | In this sermon, the speaker emphasizes the importance of not being spiritually "fattened" in the wrong way. He uses the example of Moses coming down from Mount Sinai and finding th |
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America's Godly Heritage by John Franklin | In this sermon, the speaker recounts the story of the early pilgrims and Puritans who settled in America, seeing themselves as a type of the children of Israel. The sermon referenc |
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The Rock in Scripture by Ken Baird | In this sermon, the preacher begins by emphasizing the attributes of God, highlighting His truth, righteousness, and perfection. Moving on to verse 15, the preacher focuses on the |
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The Divine Names and Titles by E.W. Bullinger | E.W. Bullinger delves into the significance of various names of God in the Bible, highlighting the different aspects of His character and relationship with His people. Elohim, ment |
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1 Corinthians 15:11 by St. John Chrysostom | John Chrysostom preaches about the dangers of luxury and the importance of self-control, highlighting how indulging in excess leads to spiritual and physical harm, causing the soul |