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).