Deuteronomy 1 15

Deuteronomy 1:15 kjv

So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes.

Deuteronomy 1:15 nkjv

So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and knowledgeable men, and made them heads over you, leaders of thousands, leaders of hundreds, leaders of fifties, leaders of tens, and officers for your tribes.

Deuteronomy 1:15 niv

So I took the leading men of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them to have authority over you?as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens and as tribal officials.

Deuteronomy 1:15 esv

So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and experienced men, and set them as heads over you, commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds, commanders of fifties, commanders of tens, and officers, throughout your tribes.

Deuteronomy 1:15 nlt

So I took the wise and respected men you had selected from your tribes and appointed them to serve as judges and officials over you. Some were responsible for a thousand people, some for a hundred, some for fifty, and some for ten.

Deuteronomy 1 verses

Deuteronomy 1 15 Meaning

Deuteronomy 1:15 describes Moses' faithful implementation of a divinely guided, structured leadership system within Israel. After leaving Horeb, recognizing the immense administrative and judicial burden of governing such a vast multitude, Moses selected key individuals. These chosen leaders, drawn from each tribe, possessed critical qualities of wisdom and proven reliability. They were then formally appointed into a graded hierarchy—commanders of thousands down to tens—alongside general officers to assist in governing the nation and administering justice according to God's Law. This established an organized, delegated system of authority to ensure order, efficient governance, and equitable judgment among the Israelites as they prepared to inherit the Promised Land.

Deuteronomy 1 15 Context

Deuteronomy 1:15 is situated within Moses' introductory address to the new generation of Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they enter the Promised Land. This opening chapter serves as a historical prologue, where Moses recounts the journey from Horeb (Mount Sinai), emphasizing God's faithfulness and Israel's disobedience, particularly regarding the Kadesh-barnea rebellion. Verse 15 specifically recalls a critical administrative decision made shortly after receiving the Law at Sinai, demonstrating Moses' burden and the need for organizational structure. This event, initially proposed by Jethro (Ex 18), but here presented by Moses as his action, underlines the practical wisdom required to manage a nation of millions, laying the foundation for an orderly society rooted in God's covenant. Historically, this system was crucial for daily governance, conflict resolution, and the consistent application of divine laws across the vast tribal camps, preparing them for the settled life they would soon encounter.

Deuteronomy 1 15 Word analysis

• So I took (וָאֶקַּח - va'eqqaḥ): "I took" denotes Moses' direct action, though in alignment with divine wisdom imparted through Jethro. It highlights Moses as the responsible agent establishing the order, emphasizing his initiative in putting the system in place, as part of God's leading.
• the heads of your tribes (רָאשֵׁי שִׁבְטֵיכֶם - ra'shei shivteykhem): "Heads" (רָאשֵׁי - rashei) signifies the primary leaders or representatives from each tribal group. This indicates that the selection was from among the established, most prominent, and influential individuals already recognized within their respective tribes, ensuring tribal buy-in and rooted authority.
• wise (חֲכָמִים - ḥakhamim): Refers to those possessing not merely intellectual knowledge but practical skill, good judgment, discernment, and ethical integrity needed for impartial and sound decision-making, particularly in judicial matters. It points to a wisdom rooted in understanding God's ways.
• and experienced men (וִידֻעִים - vîdu'îm): Literally "and known ones," implying individuals who were already proven, recognized for their competence, trustworthiness, and reliability by the community. They had demonstrated a track record of integrity and ability.
• and appointed them leaders over you (וָאֶתֵּן אֹתָם רָאשִׁים עֲלֵיכֶם - va'ettēn 'otam rashim `aleykem): "Appointed" (וָאֶתֵּן - va'ettēn, 'I gave' or 'placed') indicates formal commissioning and delegation of authority. "Leaders" (רָאשִׁים - rashim) here reinforces their administrative and judicial headship over the people.
• commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds, commanders of fifties, and commanders of tens (שָׂרֵי אֲלָפִים, שָׂרֵי מֵאוֹת, שָׂרֵי חֲמִשִּׁים, וְשָׂרֵי עֲשָׂרוֹת - sare 'alafim, sare me'ot, sare chamishshim, v'sare `asarot): This defines a distinct, hierarchical, and numerically ordered administrative and judicial structure. "Commanders" (שָׂרֵי - sarei) denotes officers, chiefs, or rulers. This division was for efficient organization of the vast populace, making administration manageable by subdividing responsibilities. These roles had both military/organizational and judicial functions, hearing disputes and teaching God's statutes.
• and officers for your tribes (וְשֹׁטְרִים לְשִׁבְטֵיכֶם - vəshoteřîm ləshivṭêkhem): "Officers" (שֹׁטְרִים - shotrim) refers to administrative or executive officials. Unlike the 'commanders' who likely held more direct judicial power, the shotrim functioned more as civil servants, record keepers, enforcers of decrees, or public administrators within each tribe, facilitating the implementation of the law and assisting the 'commanders.' They ensured that orders were carried out and public peace maintained.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "So I took the heads of your tribes...and appointed them leaders over you": This phrase encapsulates the top-down nature of the administrative establishment. While individuals were selected based on their qualities, the authority to appoint them rested with Moses, highlighting his divinely mandated leadership and the transfer of responsibility.
• "wise and experienced men": These are the dual, essential qualifications for the leaders. "Wise" speaks to inner character, discernment, and spiritual insight. "Experienced" speaks to outward, observable competence, trustworthiness, and a proven track record. This shows a focus on both inner moral aptitude and external demonstrable capability. This reflects the standard for leadership in God's eyes, not just status or power.
• "commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds, commanders of fifties, and commanders of tens": This numerical hierarchy highlights the principle of delegation and practical organizational efficiency for a large group. It breaks down the immense burden of leadership into manageable units, ensuring that justice and administration could reach every individual. This structure also implies local accountability, as these commanders would be most familiar with the people in their smaller units.

Deuteronomy 1 15 Bonus section

This act of delegating authority reflects a fundamental principle found throughout Scripture: the importance of shared burden in leadership, preventing a single point of failure and enabling broader engagement and accountability within the community. It also served as a means of judicial education; the appointed leaders, in turn, were expected to teach the people the statutes and judgments (Ex 18:20), creating a network of legal instruction across all levels of society. The "officers" (shotrim) in particular were critical in ensuring the proper functioning of this judicial system, acting as scribes, record keepers, or marshals to enforce decisions. This systematic approach to governance stood in contrast to chaotic, unorganized societies of the ancient Near East, underscoring Israel's unique identity as a nation structured by divine wisdom. This divine design for structured and qualified leadership within the community foreshadows later organizational patterns in God's people, including the early church appointing deacons and elders, all aimed at the efficient and righteous operation of God's purposes on earth.

Deuteronomy 1 15 Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:15 presents Moses' strategic and inspired action in establishing a judicial and administrative infrastructure for Israel. This was not a purely human invention but stemmed from God's wisdom, demonstrated previously through Jethro's counsel in Exodus 18, adapted and formalized by Moses. The selection criteria of "wise and experienced" men underscores that leadership within God's people requires both divine insight and proven character, rather than just status or ambition. The hierarchical structure of commanders and officers, extending from thousands down to tens, provided a comprehensive framework for applying God's Law, resolving disputes, and maintaining social order throughout the massive Israelite camp. This practical system of delegated authority ensured that justice was accessible at every level and that the burden of governance did not fall solely on Moses, preventing his burnout and enabling more effective shepherding of the nation. This early foundation of structured leadership was vital for preparing Israel to become a settled nation under God's Law in the Promised Land. The verse, therefore, highlights God's preference for order, good governance, and distributed responsibility within His covenant community.