Bible Strands
Deuteronomy 33:21
He chose the best land for himself, because a ruler’s portion was reserved for him there. He came with the leaders of the people; he administered the LORD’s justice and His ordinances for Israel.”
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — Moses pronounces blessings over the tribes of Israel on the plains of Moab before the conquest of Canaan. The verse addresses the specific inheritance and civic role of one tribe within the assembled covenant community.
The words — רֵאשִׁית (re.Shit) translates literally as “choicest,” and מְחֹקֵק (me.cho.Kek) means “commander” or “ruler.” These terms anchor the verse’s claim about a reserved territorial portion and delegated authority.
The thread — The distribution of tribal land and the crossing of the eastern tribes appear in Numbers 32:1, Joshua 4:12, and Joshua 1:14. These passages track the same groups surveying territory east of the Jordan and receiving their allotment before the main camp proceeds.
Why it lands — The text states that a tribe received a designated territory and a judicial-administrative role for Israel. A reader must recognize how territorial inheritance and civic leadership function together in the tribal structure.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Joshua 4:12 The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over before the Israelites, armed for battle as Moses had instructed them.
- Numbers 32:1 Now the Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds and flocks, surveyed the lands of Jazer and Gilead, and they saw that the region was suitable for livestock.
- Joshua 1:14 Your wives, your young children, and your livestock may remain in the land that Moses gave you on this side of the Jordan. But all your mighty men of valor must be armed for battle to cross over ahead of your brothers and help them,
- Joshua 22:1 Then Joshua summoned the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe of Manasseh
- Judges 5:2 “When the princes take the lead in Israel, when the people volunteer, bless the LORD.
- Judges 5:11 the voices of the singers at the watering places. There they shall recount the righteous acts of the LORD, the righteous deeds of His villagers in Israel. Then the people of the LORD went down to the gates:
- Numbers 32:16 Then the Gadites and Reubenites approached Moses and said, “We want to build sheepfolds here for our livestock and cities for our little ones.