He has selected the best part for himself, for the portion of the ruler ¹  is set aside ²  there; he came with the leaders ³  of the people, he obeyed the righteous laws of the Lord and his ordinances with Israel.

biblegateway Deu 33:21

"Then he provided the first part for himself, For there the ruler’s portion was reserved; And he came with the leaders of the people; He executed the justice of the LORD, And His ordinances with Israel."

He chose the best part for himself, because a ruler's portion was assigned there for him. He came with the leaders of the people; he carried out the LORD's justice and His ordinances for Israel.

They chose the best land for themselves. Indeed, a commander’s piece of land was reserved for them. They were leaders of the people and did for Israel what the LORD considers fair and honorable."

biblegateway Deu 33:21

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."

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."

bibleoremus Deu 33:21

He chose the best for himself, for there a commander’s allotment was reserved; he came at the head of the people, he executed the justice of the LORD, and his ordinances for Israel.

He chose the best for himself, for to him was allotted a ruler's portion, when the chiefs of the people were assembled together. He did what the LORD deemed right, observing his ordinances for Israel.

biblegateway Deu 33:21

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."

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.

biblegateway Deu 33:21

He has selected the best part for himself, for the portion of the ruler ¹  is set aside ²  there; he came with the leaders ³  of the people, he obeyed the righteous laws of the Lord and his ordinances with Israel.

¹ tn The Hebrew term מְחֹקֵק (mÿkhoqeq; Poel participle of חָקַק, khaqaq, “to inscribe”) reflects the idea that the recorder of allotments (the “ruler”) is able to set aside for himself the largest and best. See E. H. Merrill, Deuteronomy (NAC), 444-45.

² tn Heb “covered in” (if from the root סָפַן, safan; cf. HALOT 764-65 s.v. ספן qal).

³ tn Heb “heads” (in the sense of chieftains).