◄ 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."
Study Bible
He chose the best land for himself,

Gad received the fertile tablelands and pasture country east of the Jordan, land especially suited to the tribe’s abundant livestock (Numbers 32:1–5). Though Gad settled outside Canaan’s western boundary, its inheritance became a strategic frontier against enemies from the east.

Num 32:1-5 Now the Reubenites and Gadites, who had very large herds…
Jos 13:24-28 This is what Moses had given to the clans…
Gen 13:10-12 And Lot looked out and saw the whole plain…

because a ruler’s portion was reserved for him there.

Gad’s territory included an honored allotment associated with leadership and military responsibility. Moses’ blessing recalls Gad’s willingness to take its inheritance while still joining Israel in the conquest of the land west of the Jordan (Numbers 32:16–32; Joshua 1:12–18).

Deu 3:12-20 So at that time we took possession of this land…
Num 21:21-35 Then Israel sent messengers to Sihon king of the Amorites,…
Jos 12:1-6 Now these are the kings of the land whom the Israelites…

He came with the leaders of the people;

Gad did not separate its interests from the nation’s calling. Its warriors crossed the Jordan armed for battle and served alongside the other tribes until Israel possessed the land the LORD had promised.

Jos 4:12-13 The Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe…
Num 32:16-22 Then the Gadites and Reubenites approached Moses and said,…
Jos 1:12-18 But to the Reubenites, the Gadites, and the half-tribe…

he administered the LORD’s justice and His ordinances for Israel.”

Gad fulfilled the covenant obligation accepted by all Israel, submitting to God’s law and helping secure the inheritance of their brethren. Strength and prosperity were to serve the LORD’s purposes, not tribal independence.

2Ch 19:6-7 Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do,…
Deu 17:8-11 If a case is too difficult for you to judge,…
Exo 18:19-26 You must be the people’s representative before God…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Gad
One of the twelve tribes of Israel, descended from Gad, the seventh son of Jacob and Zilpah. The tribe of Gad settled on the east side of the Jordan River.

2. Moses
The leader of the Israelites who delivered them from Egyptian bondage and led them through the wilderness. He is the speaker in Deuteronomy 33, giving blessings to the tribes of Israel.

3. The Promised Land
The land promised by God to Abraham and his descendants, which the Israelites are preparing to enter under Joshua's leadership.

4. The Leaders of the People
Refers to the leaders of the tribes of Israel, who were responsible for guiding and administering justice among the people.

5. The LORD’s Justice and Ordinances
The laws and commandments given by God to the Israelites, which they were to follow as His covenant people.
Teaching Points
Choosing the Best with Wisdom
Gad's choice of land reflects a strategic decision that balances personal benefit with communal responsibility. Believers are encouraged to make decisions that honor God and benefit the community.

Leadership and Justice
Gad's role in administering justice highlights the importance of righteous leadership. Christians are called to lead with integrity and uphold God's standards in their spheres of influence.

Faithfulness to God's Commands
The tribe of Gad is commended for their adherence to God's ordinances. Believers should strive to faithfully follow God's Word in all aspects of life.

Community and Cooperation
Gad's cooperation with other tribes underscores the value of unity and working together for the common good. Christians should seek to build and maintain unity within the body of Christ.

Balancing Personal and Communal Needs
Gad's choice reflects a balance between personal desires and communal responsibilities. Believers should consider how their choices impact both themselves and the wider community.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the choice of land by the tribe of Gad reflect their priorities, and what can we learn from this about making decisions in our own lives?

2. In what ways can we apply the principles of leadership and justice demonstrated by Gad in our personal and professional lives?

3. How does the cooperation between the tribes of Israel in Deuteronomy 33:21 inspire us to foster unity within our church communities?

4. What are some practical ways we can ensure that our personal choices align with God's commands and benefit the wider community?

5. How can the balance between personal desires and communal responsibilities, as seen in Gad's actions, be applied to our modern-day context?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Genesis 49:19
This verse is part of Jacob's blessing to his sons, where he speaks of Gad being attacked but ultimately triumphing. It connects to the idea of Gad choosing a strategic and advantageous position.

Numbers 32:1-5
The tribes of Reuben and Gad request to settle on the east side of the Jordan because of its suitability for their livestock, showing their choice of land.

Joshua 22:1-6
Joshua commends the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh for their faithfulness and allows them to return to their land, emphasizing their role in supporting the other tribes.
Sermons
Watchwords for the TribesR.M. Edgar Deuteronomy 33:6-25
GadT. G. Rooke, B. A.Deuteronomy 33:20-21
Gad's Valor and Chivalry CommendedD. Davies Deuteronomy 33:20, 21
Gad, Dan, Naphtali, AsherJ. Orr Deuteronomy 33:20-25
People
Asher, Benjamin, Dan, Gad, Israelites, Issachar, Jacob, Joseph, Levi, Manasseh, Moses, Naphtali, Reuben, Seir, Zebulun
Places
Bashan, Massah, Meribah, Moab, Mount Paran, Seir, Sinai
Topics
Assembled, Best, Carried, Chose, Commander's, Commands, Covered, Decisions, Decrees, Executed, Force, Heads, Judgments, Justice, Kept, Lawgiver, Lawgiver's, Leaders, Leader's, Lord's, Ordinances, Portion, Provided, Provideth, Reserved, Righteous, Righteousness, Ruler, Ruler's, Seated
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Deuteronomy 33:21

     1175   God, will of

Deuteronomy 33:1-29

     8638   benedictions

Library
Israel the Beloved
'The beloved of the Lord shall dwell in safety by Him; and the Lord shall cover him all the day long, and he shall dwell between His shoulders.'--DEUT. xxxiii. 12. Benjamin was his father's favourite child, and the imagery of this promise is throughout drawn from the relations between such a child and its father. So far as the future history of the tribes is shadowed in these 'blessings' of this great ode, the reference of the text may be to the tribe of Benjamin, as specially distinguished by Saul …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Shod for the Road
'Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be.' DEUT. xxxiii. 25. There is a general correspondence between those blessings wherewith Moses blessed the tribes of Israel before his death, and the circumstances and territory of each tribe in the promised land. The portion of Asher, in whose blessing the words of our text occurs, was partly the rocky northern coast and partly the fertile lands stretching to the base of the Lebanon. In the inland part of their territory …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

God and his Saints
'He loved the people; all His saints are in Thy hand: and they sat down at Thy feet; every one shall receive of Thy words.'--DEUT. xxxiii. 3. The great ode of which these words are a part is called 'the blessing wherewith Moses blessed the children of Israel before his death.' It is mainly an invocation of blessing from Heaven on the various tribes, but it begins, as the national existence of Israel began, with the revelation of God on Sinai, and it lays that as the foundation of everything. It …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Shoes of Iron, and Strength Sufficient: a New Year's Promise
"And of Asher he said, Let Asher be blessed with children; let him be acceptable to his brethren, and let him dip his foot in oil. Thy shoes shall be iron and brass; and as thy days, so shall thy strength be."--Deuteronomy 33:24-25. I once heard an old minister say that he thought the blessing of Asher was peculiarly the blessing of ministers; and his eyes twinkled as he added, "At any rate, they are usually blessed with children, and it is a great blessing for them if they are acceptable to their …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 35: 1889

"As Thy Days, So Shall Thy Strength Be"
In addressing you this morning, I shall first have to notice the self-weakness which is implied in our text; secondly, I shall come to the great promise of the text; and then I shall try and draw one or two inferences from it, ere I conclude. I. First, the SELF-WEAKNESS HINTED AT IN THE TEXT. To keep to my figure, if this promise be like a star, you know there is no seeing the stars in the daytime when we stand here upon the upper land; we must go down a deep well, and then we shall be able to discover …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 4: 1858

2D Day. Needful Grace.
"He is Faithful that Promised." "As thy days, so shall thy strength be."--DEUT. xxxiii. 25. Needful Grace. God does not give grace till the hour of trial comes. But when it does come, the amount of grace, and the nature of the special grace required is vouchsafed. My soul, do not dwell with painful apprehension on the future. Do not anticipate coming sorrows; perplexing thyself with the grace needed for future emergencies; to-morrow will bring its promised grace along with to-morrow's trials. …
John Ross Macduff—The Faithful Promiser

Covenanting Predicted in Prophecy.
The fact of Covenanting, under the Old Testament dispensations, being approved of God, gives a proof that it was proper then, which is accompanied by the voice of prophecy, affording evidence that even in periods then future it should no less be proper. The argument for the service that is afforded by prophecy is peculiar, and, though corresponding with evidence from other sources, is independent. Because that God willed to make known truth through his servants the prophets, we should receive it …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Within what Tribe the Lake of Gennesaret Was.
By comparing the maps with the Talmudic writers, this question ariseth: for there is not one among them, as far as I know, which does not altogether define the sea of Gennesaret to be without the tribe of Naphthali; but the Talmudists do most plainly place it within. "The Rabbins deliver: The sea of Tiberias is in the portion of Naphtali; yea, it takes a full line for the nets on the south side of it: as it is said, 'Possess the sea and the south,' Deuteronomy 33:23." The Gloss is; "(Naphtali) had …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

1872 the Need of a Home Further West --Burning of the Marchmont Home --Home Restored by Canadian Gifts --Miss Macpherson and Miss Reavell Arrive in Canada
The need of a Home further West--Burning of the Marchmont Home--Home restored by Canadian gifts--Miss Macpherson and Miss Reavell arrive in Canada--First visit to Knowlton in the East--Belleville Home restored by Canadian friends--Help for the Galt Home--Miss Macpherson returns to England--Miss Reavell remains at Galt. In her first letter on returning to England Miss Macpherson writes:-- "BELOVED FELLOW-WORKERS,--Once more at home among the old familiar scenes in the East of London, the sadness …
Clara M. S. Lowe—God's Answers

Second Part
Aphrahat the Persian Sage. 1. Name of Author of Demonstrations long Unknown.--The author of the Demonstrations, eight of which appear (for the first time in an English version) in the present volume, has a singular literary history. By nationality a Persian, in an age when Zoroastrianism was the religion of Persia, he wrote in Syriac as a Christian theologian. His writings, now known to us as the works of Aphrahat, were remembered, cited, translated, and transcribed for at least two centuries …
Ephraim the Syrian—Hymns and Homilies of Ephraim the Syrian

With Israel's God who Can Compare?
 …
John Newton—Olney Hymns

On Deut. xxxiii. Ii
On Deut. xxxiii. II Hippolytus, the expositor of the Targum, has said that Moses, when he had finished this prophecy, also pronounced a blessing upon all the children of Israel, by their several tribes, and prayed for them. Then God charged Moses, saying to him, Go up to Mount Nebo, which indeed is known by the name of the mount of the Hebrews, which is in the land of Moab over against Jericho. And He said to him: View the land of Chanaan, which I am to give to the children of Israel for an inheritance. …
Hippolytus—The Extant Works and Fragments of Hippolytus

The Best Things Work for Good to the Godly
WE shall consider, first, what things work for good to the godly; and here we shall show that both the best things and the worst things work for their good. We begin with the best things. 1. God's attributes work for good to the godly. (1). God's power works for good. It is a glorious power (Col. i. 11), and it is engaged for the good of the elect. God's power works for good, in supporting us in trouble. "Underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deut. xxxiii. 27). What upheld Daniel in the lion's den? …
Thomas Watson—A Divine Cordial

Subterraneous Places. Mines. Caves.
Thus having taken some notice of the superficies of the land, let us a little search into its bowels. You may divide the subterraneous country into three parts: the metal mines, the caves, and the places of burial. This land was eminently noted for metal mines, so that "its stones," in very many places, "were iron, and out of its hills was digged brass," Deuteronomy 8:9. From these gain accrued to the Jews: but to the Christians, not seldom slavery and misery; being frequently condemned hither by …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Wesley's Hymns Reconsidered
Bernard Manning A paper read before the Cambridge University Methodist Society on February 9, 1939. SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE, sometime Scholar of Jesus College in the University of Cambridge, once wrote some ingenious verses {Metrical Feet: Lesson for a Boy.} to help his sons to remember the chief sorts of metre. If Coleridge had been a Methodist instead of a pilgrim from Anglicanism to Unitarianism and back again, he would have needed to do no such thing: he would have needed only to advise his boys …
Bernard L. Manning—The Hymns of Wesley and Watts: Five Papers

The Covenant of an Everlasting Priesthood
"That My covenant might be with Levi. My covenant was with him of life and peace; and I gave them to him for the fear wherewith he feared Me, and was afraid before My name. The law of truth was in his mouth, and iniquity was not found in his lips; he walked with Me in peace and equity, and did turn many away from iniquity."--MAL. ii. 4-6. ISRAEL was meant by God to be a nation of priests. In the first making of the Covenant this was distinctly stipulated. "If ye will obey My voice, and keep My covenant, …
Andrew Murray—The Two Covenants

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of the Eleventh
An unfinished commentary on the Bible, found among the author's papers after his death, in his own handwriting; and published in 1691, by Charles Doe, in a folio volume of the works of John Bunyan. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR Being in company with an enlightened society of Protestant dissenters of the Baptist denomination, I observed to a doctor of divinity, who was advancing towards his seventieth year, that my time had been delightfully engaged with John Bunyan's commentary on Genesis. "What," …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Manner of Covenanting.
Previous to an examination of the manner of engaging in the exercise of Covenanting, the consideration of God's procedure towards his people while performing the service seems to claim regard. Of the manner in which the great Supreme as God acts, as well as of Himself, our knowledge is limited. Yet though even of the effects on creatures of His doings we know little, we have reason to rejoice that, in His word He has informed us, and in His providence illustrated by that word, he has given us to …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting

Jesus Works his First Miracle at Cana in Galilee.
^D John II. 1-11. ^d 1 And the third day [From the calling of Philip (John i. 43). The days enumerated in John's first two chapters constitute a week, and may perhaps be intended as a contrast to the last week of Christ's ministry ( John xii. 1). It took two days to journey from the Jordan to Cana] there was a marriage [In Palestine the marriage ceremony usually began at twilight. The feast after the marriage was at the home of the bridegroom, and was sometimes prolonged for several days (Gen. xxix. …
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Adam's Sin
Q-15: WHAT WAS THE SIN WHEREBY OUR FIRST PARENTS FELL FROM THE ESTATE WHEREIN THEY WERE CREATED? A: That sin was eating the forbidden fruit. 'She took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also to her husband.' Gen 3:3. Here is implied, 1. That our first parents fell from their estate of innocence. 2. The sin by which they fell, was eating the forbidden fruit. I. Our first parents fell from their glorious state of innocence. God made man upright, but they have sought out many inventions.' Eccl …
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

Mount Zion.
"For ye are not come unto a mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, and unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, and the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that no word more should be spoken unto them: for they could not endure that which was enjoined, If even a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned; and so fearful was the appearance, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake: but ye are come unto Mount Zion, and unto …
Thomas Charles Edwards—The Expositor's Bible: The Epistle to the Hebrews

Notes on the Third Century
Page 161. Line 1. He must be born again, &c. This is a compound citation from John iii. 3, and Mark x. 15, in the order named. Page 182. Line 17. For all things should work together, &c. See Romans viii. 28. Page 184. Lines 10-11. Being Satan is able, &c. 2 Corinthians xi. 14. Page 184. Last line. Like a sparrow, &c. Psalm cii. Page 187. Line 1. Mechanisms. This word is, in the original MS., mechanicismes.' Page 187. Line 7. Like the King's daughter, &c. Psalm xlv. 14. Page 188. Med. 39. The best …
Thomas Traherne—Centuries of Meditations

Fourth Sunday after Epiphany
Text: Romans 13, 8-10. 8 Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the law. 9 For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. 10 Love worketh no ill to his neighbor; love therefore is the fulfilment of the law. CHRISTIAN LOVE AND THE COMMAND TO LOVE. 1. This, like the two …
Martin Luther—Epistle Sermons, Vol. II

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