He provided the first part for himself, for the lawgiver’s portion was reserved for him. He came with the heads of the people. He executed the righteousness of the LORD, His ordinances with Israel.”
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 21. He saw, and so forth The pre-eminence of the tribe of Gad, to which this alludes, was their having the lawgiver, Moses, buried in their borders; though the particular place was not known. Challoner. Prot. “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,” and so forth Septuagint “And he saw his first-fruits,” (the first conquered country of Sehon and of Og,) because there the land of the princes was divided, the leaders of the people being assembled, or who were assembled with the leaders. Bible.—Gad and the two other tribes petitioned for that part of the country, and obtained their request of Moses. Numbers 32:27.—Israel. This is generally understood of Moses; but it may be explained of the tribe of Gad, which complied with the conditions imposed on him, and on his brethren, by the Lord, when he allotted the land of Galaad to them. Calmet. 3:18. Calmet.—Hebrew “he executed the justice of the Lord,” and so forth Septuagint “the Lord did justice and his judgment with Israel,” approving his choice. Bible.