Deuteronomy 33:20

“of Gad he said--Its possessions were larger than they would have been had they lain west of Jordan; and this tribe had the honor of being settled by Moses himself in the first portion of land conquered. In the forest region, south of the Jabbok, "he dwelt as a lion" (compare Gen 30:11; Gen 49:19). Notwithstanding, they faithfully kept their engagement to join the "heads of the people" [Deu 33:21] in the invasion of Canaan.”

“i. e., Blessed be God who shall grant to Gad a spacious territory. Compare the blessing of Shem Genesis 9:26. With the crown - Rather, yea, the crown. The warlike character of this tribe is shown by their leading the van in the long campaigns of Joshua (compare Joshua 4:12-13; Joshua 22:1-4). Compare also 1Ch 5:18-22; 1 Chronicles 12:8 ff, and the acts of Jehu, the Gadite, in 2 Kings 9:0; 2 Kings 10:0. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Enlargeth - That bringeth him out of his straits amid troubles, which he was often engaged in, because he was encompassed with potent enemies. As a lion - Safe and secure from his enemies, and terrible to them when they rouse and molest him. Teareth the arm - Utterly destroys his enemies, both the head, the seat of the crown, their dignity and principality, and the arm, the subject of strength and instrument of action; both chief princes, and their subjects. Deuteronomy 33:21”

“33:20 Gad was the elder of two sons of Jacob by Leah’s servant Zilpah (Gen 30:10-11). His name means “good fortune,” but the message is that the one who enables the tribe to enlarge its territory is the fortunate one. That territory was east of the Jordan and the Sea of Galilee.”

“Blessed: Gen 9:26, Gen 9:27; Jos 13:8, Jos 13:10, Jos 13:24-28; Ch1 4:10, Ch1 12:8, Ch1 12:37, Ch1 12:38; Psa 18:19, Psa 18:36 he dwelleth: Ch1 5:18-21, Ch1 12:8-14 teareth: Mic 5:8 Deuteronomy 33:21”

“Gad. - "Blessed be He that enlargeth Gad: like a lioness he lieth down, and teareth the arm, yea, the crown of the head. And he chose his first-fruit territory, for there was the leader's portion kept; and he came to the heads of the people, he executed the justice of the Lord, and his rights with Israel." Just as in the blessing of Noah ( Gen 9:26) the God of Shem is praised, to point out the salvation appointed by God for Shem, so here Moses praises the Lord, who enlarged Gad, i.e., who not only gave him a broad territory in the conquered kingdom of Sihon, but furnished generally an unlimited space for his development (vid., Gen 26:22), so that he might unfold his lion-like nature in…”