Matthew Poole and continuators on Deuteronomy 33:21

21 And he provided the first part for himself, because there in a portion of the law-giver was he seated , and he came with the heads of the people , he executed the justice of the LORD, and his judgment with Israel .

The first-fruits of the Land of promise, the country of Sihon, which was first conquered, which he is said to provide for himself, because he desired and so obtained it of Moses, Numb. 32.

(i. e.) Of Moses whose portion this is called, either because this part of the Land beyond Iordan was the onely part of the Land which Moses was permitted to enter upon: or because it was given to him by Moses, whereas the portions beyond Iordan were given to the several Tribes by Ioshua according to the direction of the lot.

Heb. hid or protected: for their Wives and Children were secured in their Cities, whilest many of their men went over to the war in Canaan.

(i. e.) He went, or he will go (the preter tense being put for the future after the manner of the Prophets) to wit, to the war in Canaan, with the Princes, or Captains, or Rulers of the People of Israel, i. e. under their command and conduct, as indeed they did, or with the first of the people, or, in the front of the people, as the Syriack renders it, for this tribe and their brethren whose lot fell beyond Iordan, were to march and did march into Canaan before their brethren, as it is expressed Ios. 1. 14. And the Hebrew word rosch oft signifies the beginning or first of a thing.

(i. e.) He did or will execute the just iudgment of God against the Canaanites, as the rest of the Israelites did, he will joyn in the war against them, as he promised to do Numb. 32. 27, &c. and actually did, Ios. 1. 14.

Marginal references: Num. 32. 17.; Heb. [illegible: 1 word].