Deuteronomy 33:20-21

Blessing on Gad

33:20 Of Gad he said:

Blessed be the one who enlarges Gad.

Like a lioness he will dwell;

he will tear at an arm – indeed, a scalp. ¹ 

33:21 He has selected the best part for himself,

for the portion of the ruler ²  is set aside ³  there;

he came with the leaders ⁴  of the people,

he obeyed the righteous laws of the Lord

and his ordinances with Israel.

[33:20]  ¹ tn Heb “forehead,” picturing Gad attacking prey.

[33:21]  ² 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.

[33:21]  ³ tn Heb “covered in” (if from the root סָפַן, safan; cf. HALOT 764-65 s.v. ספן qal).

[33:21]  ⁴ tn Heb “heads” (in the sense of chieftains).