Deuteronomy 1:13 kjv
Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you.
Deuteronomy 1:13 nkjv
Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men from among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.'
Deuteronomy 1:13 niv
Choose some wise, understanding and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you."
Deuteronomy 1:13 esv
Choose for your tribes wise, understanding, and experienced men, and I will appoint them as your heads.'
Deuteronomy 1:13 nlt
Choose some well-respected men from each tribe who are known for their wisdom and understanding, and I will appoint them as your leaders.'
Deuteronomy 1 13 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| Ex 18:17-26 | And Moses’ father-in-law said to him… provide from all the people able men… and appoint them… to judge the people… | Parallel account of Jethro's counsel to Moses to appoint judges. |
| Num 11:16-17 | Then the Lord said to Moses: "Gather for Me seventy men… of the elders of Israel… and bring them to the tent of meeting… I will take some of the Spirit who is on you and put it on them..." | Appointment of the seventy elders to share Moses' burden, indicating divine equipping. |
| Num 11:24-25 | Moses went out and told the people the words of the Lord. And he gathered seventy men… and stood them around the tent… when the Spirit rested upon them, they prophesied… | God's direct empowerment of the chosen leaders through His Spirit. |
| Deu 16:18 | "You shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates, which the Lord your God is giving you… and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment." | Reiterates the necessity of appointing righteous judges and officials throughout the land. |
| Pro 1:5 | A wise man will hear and increase learning, and a man of understanding will attain wise counsel... | Emphasizes the pursuit of wisdom and understanding as a hallmark of discernment. |
| Pro 4:7 | Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all your getting get understanding. | Highlights wisdom and understanding as foundational and primary pursuits. |
| Dan 1:17 | As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom... | God as the source of wisdom and understanding for those called to service. |
| Jas 3:13-17 | Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by good conduct… but the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield… | Contrasts earthly wisdom with godly wisdom, which is essential for leadership. |
| Acts 6:3 | Therefore, brothers, pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the Spirit and of wisdom, whom we will appoint to this task. | New Testament parallel for choosing wise and Spirit-filled men for service in the church. |
| 1 Tim 3:1-13 | If anyone aspires to the office of overseer… a spiritual leader must be… hospitable, able to teach, sober-minded, respectable, self-controlled… Deacons likewise must be worthy of respect, holding to the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. | Qualifications for church leadership (overseers/elders and deacons) emphasizing character, wisdom, and ability. |
| Tit 1:5-9 | I left you in Crete that you might set in order the things that are wanting, and appoint elders in every city, as I appointed you: If any be blameless… not given to wine, no striker… holding fast the faithful word… | Qualifications for elders in early churches, echoing the principles of Deu 1:13 regarding character and faithfulness. |
| Ex 28:3 | So you shall speak to all who are skillful, whom I have filled with a spirit of skill… | God grants wisdom and skill for specific tasks, especially for His service. |
| Ex 31:3 | I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom, in understanding, in knowledge, and in all manner of workmanship… | Bezaleel empowered by the Spirit with wisdom, understanding, and knowledge for tabernacle work. |
| Job 32:7-9 | I said, ‘Age should speak…' But it is the spirit in a person, the breath of the Almighty, that gives them understanding. | True wisdom comes not just from age, but from divine Spirit. |
| Is 11:2 | The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might… | Prophecy about the Messiah's anointing with the Spirit of wisdom and understanding. |
| Eph 4:11-12 | So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up. | God appoints various leaders with specific gifts to build up the church. |
| 1 Cor 12:28 | And God has appointed in the church first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guiding, and of different kinds of tongues. | God divinely appoints various roles and gifts for the functioning of the church. |
| Rom 12:6-8 | We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying… if it is serving… if it is teaching… if it is to encourage… if it is leadership, then govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, do it cheerfully. | Emphasizes diligent governing as a spiritual gift within the body of Christ. |
| 1 Pet 5:1-3 | To the elders among you… be shepherds of God’s flock that is under your care, watching over them—not because you must, but because you are willing… eager to serve; not lording it over those entrusted to you… | Qualities of spiritual leadership, emphasizing willing service and humble oversight. |
| Acts 1:21-22 | "Therefore it is necessary to choose one of the men who have been with us the whole time… until the day Jesus was taken up from us—one of these must become a witness with us of his resurrection.” | Criteria for choosing an apostle (Mattias) emphasizes experiential knowledge. |
| 2 Tim 2:2 | And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others. | Emphasizes passing on leadership to faithful and qualified individuals. |
| Pr 11:14 | Where there is no counsel, the people fall; but in the multitude of counselors there is safety. | Importance of seeking and having multiple counselors for stability and success. |
| Pr 15:22 | Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed. | Reaffirms the value of many advisers for successful execution of plans. |
| Ecc 7:12 | For wisdom is a defense even as money is a defense. But the excellency of knowledge is that wisdom preserves the life of him who has it. | Highlights the protective and life-preserving quality of wisdom. |
| Ps 111:10 | The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all those who practice it have a good understanding. His praise endures forever! | Connects true wisdom and understanding to reverent submission to God. |
Deuteronomy 1 verses
Deuteronomy 1 13 Meaning
Deuteronomy 1:13 instructs the Israelites, through Moses, to actively identify and present qualified individuals from their own tribes to serve as leaders and judges. This directive was a crucial step in establishing an organized, decentralized system of justice and governance among God's people, sharing the immense burden that had initially fallen solely on Moses. It emphasizes that the selection of leaders should be based not on social status or personal favor, but on inherent wisdom, discerning understanding, and demonstrated experience in community affairs.
Deuteronomy 1 13 Context
Deuteronomy chapter 1 opens Moses' final discourse to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, before they enter the promised land. He is recounting their forty-year wilderness journey, reflecting on significant events and reminding them of God's commands and faithfulness. Verse 13 specifically recalls an event that took place early in their journey, probably shortly after the exodus from Egypt, at Mount Horeb (Sinai). This delegation of judicial authority came about after Moses became overwhelmed by judging all disputes alone (as detailed in Exodus 18:13-26). His father-in-law, Jethro, advised him to select competent men to serve as "rulers of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens." Moses implements this, not as an abdication of responsibility, but as an establishment of an orderly system that brought justice closer to the people. Moses is reiterating this moment, highlighting both God's provision for governance and the people's responsibility in identifying capable leaders among themselves. The historical context shows the immense challenge of governing millions of people and the divine wisdom in establishing a hierarchical yet distributed system of justice.
Deuteronomy 1 13 Word Analysis
- הבוּ (habu): "Provide, give, present." This is an imperative verb, a direct command to the people. It signifies their active role in bringing forward, or selecting, these individuals. It implies agency and participation on the part of the community in identifying their potential leaders, rather than leaders being solely imposed from above. This emphasizes the communal aspect of choosing those who will serve.
- אֲנָשִׁים (anashim): "men." Although not explicitly translated in every English version for Deu 1:13, the implied "men" from Exodus 18:21 (the parallel account) and the context of the patriarchal society indicates adult males. However, the principles of wisdom, understanding, and experience are universal for any leader in God's eyes, irrespective of gender, age, or background.
- חֲכָמִים (chakhamim): "wise ones." This refers to practical wisdom, prudence, insight, and good judgment, often associated with moral discernment. It is not merely intellectual acuity but a comprehensive understanding of how to live and apply God's ways in daily life and governance. This wisdom often stems from the fear of the Lord (Pr 9:10).
- נְבֹנִים (nevonim): "understanding ones." This term denotes deeper intellectual discernment, the ability to grasp complex situations, to perceive differences, distinguish between right and wrong, and make sound judgments. It complements chakhamim by suggesting insight into situations and capacity for judicious decision-making, often related to interpreting and applying laws fairly.
- וִידֻעִים (vidu'im): "known, experienced ones." This speaks to their proven character, established reputation, and practical experience. These are individuals whose competence and trustworthiness are already known within the community. It means they have demonstrated their ability to handle affairs, shown integrity, and possess practical wisdom in various situations, rather than simply having theoretical knowledge.
- לְשָׂרֵיכֶם (le'sareykem): "as your heads/chiefs." While the root sar (chief, prince) is used in Exodus 18, the term rosheykem (your heads) is used in Deuteronomy 1:13, meaning "your chief men" or "your leaders." Both terms signify a position of authority, guidance, and responsibility within the tribal structure. This indicates a system where leadership is clearly defined within each community.
- Word Group Analysis:
- "Choose wise, understanding, and experienced": This grouping defines the core qualifications for leadership. It underscores a holistic set of attributes: divine insight (chakhamim), mental discernment (nevonim), and practical competence with integrity (vidu'im). This goes beyond mere intelligence or popularity, demanding a character rooted in wisdom that benefits the community. These are not superficial traits but deep-seated qualities cultivated through walk with God and life experience.
- "from among your tribes": This phrase emphasizes that leaders are to be drawn from within the existing community structure. It promotes a bottom-up element in leadership selection, where those familiar with the community's customs, needs, and members are chosen. It implies a sense of organic leadership rather than external imposition.
Deuteronomy 1 13 Bonus Section
The principle articulated in Deuteronomy 1:13 fosters decentralized justice. By selecting "heads" from among their tribes, judgment and resolution of disputes could occur at a local level, reducing the need for all cases to reach Moses directly. This system was designed to provide efficient and equitable access to justice for every individual across the vast Israelite population. This proactive selection of wise individuals for leadership also contrasts sharply with leaders who rise through corruption, force, or mere hereditary claims, emphasizing a meritocratic and spiritually qualified form of leadership desired by God. This early blueprint for governance within Israel foreshadows the need for good leadership throughout salvation history, pointing to the ultimate wise and righteous Ruler, Christ Jesus.
Deuteronomy 1 13 Commentary
Deuteronomy 1:13 stands as a foundational biblical principle for selecting leaders within a community, whether Israelite, ecclesiastical, or even societal. It highlights a critical three-fold criteria: wisdom (godly insight and good judgment), understanding (discerning ability and intellectual clarity), and experience (proven character and practical competence). This divine mandate underscores that leadership is a weighty responsibility requiring more than just charisma or popularity; it demands deep, spiritual discernment and a proven track record of integrity and ability to serve justly.
This verse reveals God’s concern for orderly and righteous governance among His people, not as an abstract concept, but practically implemented through human agents. It shifts the immense burden from Moses to a network of qualified individuals, demonstrating the principle of shared responsibility and delegation in leadership. It also illustrates the symbiotic relationship between divine authority and human participation: Moses, representing God's authority, instructs the people to actively identify and propose individuals, who are then formally appointed. The chosen leaders were to be readily accessible to the people, bringing justice close to home within their respective tribal structures. For the church, these principles resonate strongly in the selection of elders, deacons, and other spiritual leaders, emphasizing qualities like spiritual maturity, good repute, and capacity for wise judgment as outlined in the New Testament epistles (1 Tim 3, Tit 1, Acts 6).