Then the LORD became king in Jeshurun: for Jeshurun see 32.15. The Hebrew text says only “and there was a king in Jeshurun.” This could refer to Yahweh or to Moses; or it could refer to some other person, as New Revised Standard Version translates, “There arose a king in Jeshurun” (also Revised English Bible, and New Jerusalem Bible). It is recommended that Revised Standard Version and Good News Translation be followed.

The heads of the people were gathered: this means the chiefs, the leaders of the Israelites, perhaps the tribal leaders.

All the tribes of Israel together: this is parallel with the previous line. The two lines together can be translated “all the tribes and their leaders assembled [together].”

Verses 4 and 5 may be combined as follows:

• When all the people of Israel gathered together,
I gave you God’s Law,
the most treasured thing our nation has.
Then the LORD became king of the Israelites.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on Deuteronomy. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2000. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .