Deuteronomy 1 16

Deuteronomy 1:16 kjv

And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him.

Deuteronomy 1:16 nkjv

"Then I commanded your judges at that time, saying, 'Hear the cases between your brethren, and judge righteously between a man and his brother or the stranger who is with him.

Deuteronomy 1:16 niv

And I charged your judges at that time, "Hear the disputes between your people and judge fairly, whether the case is between two Israelites or between an Israelite and a foreigner residing among you.

Deuteronomy 1:16 esv

And I charged your judges at that time, 'Hear the cases between your brothers, and judge righteously between a man and his brother or the alien who is with him.

Deuteronomy 1:16 nlt

"At that time I instructed the judges, 'You must hear the cases of your fellow Israelites and the foreigners living among you. Be perfectly fair in your decisions

Deuteronomy 1 verses

Deuteronomy 1 16 Meaning

Deuteronomy 1:16 describes Moses's instructions to the appointed judges, emphasizing their crucial role in upholding justice within the community. He commanded them to diligently listen to disputes among the Israelites and resident aliens, ensuring righteous and impartial judgments were delivered in every case, reflecting God's standard of justice for all.

Deuteronomy 1 16 Context

Deuteronomy 1 opens Moses's expansive final address to the new generation of Israelites poised to enter the Promised Land. This particular verse falls within a section (Deut 1:9-18) where Moses recounts the challenges of leadership during the wilderness wanderings and the administrative solution to his overwhelming workload: the appointment of judges. He reminds them that this system was established early on (based on Exod 18), delegating authority for dispensing justice throughout the tribes. The historical context is that Israel is on the plains of Moab, east of the Jordan, looking back at their past journey and forward to their future in Canaan. The emphasis here is on solidifying the principles of righteous governance and social order before they inhabit the land.

Deuteronomy 1 16 Word analysis

• וָאֲצַוֶּה (va'atzavveh): "And I charged/commanded." This is a Waw-conversive perfect verb, meaning "and I commanded." The root צוה (tzavah) carries the weight of authority and official instruction. It signifies that Moses’s directive was not a suggestion but a binding mandate, reflective of God’s own authority channeled through him.
• אֶת (et): This is a direct object marker, indicating "your judges" as the direct recipient of the command.
• שֹׁפְטֵיכֶם (shofteykhem): "your judges." From the root שפט (shaphat), meaning "to judge" or "to govern." It refers to those chosen to arbitrate disputes and uphold legal order. The suffix "כם" (khem) means "your," indicating that these were specific individuals designated from within the community, holding delegated power.
• בָּעֵת הַהִיא (ba'et ha'hi): "at that time." Ba'et means "at the time," and ha'hi is "that." This phrase grounds the command in a specific historical moment, referring to the initial establishment of the judicial system recounted in Exod 18, thus reinforcing its longstanding validity and origin.
• לֵאמֹר (le'mor): "saying/to say." This infinitive often introduces direct speech or a summary of what was said. It prepares the audience for the content of Moses's command to the judges.
• שָׁמֹעַ בֵּין (shamo'a bein): "Hear the cases between." Shamo'a is the infinitive absolute of שמע (shama), "to hear," implying careful, attentive listening and understanding. It suggests a thorough investigation and deep consideration, not just passive hearing. Bein means "between."
• אֲחֵיכֶם (acheykhem): "your brothers." Emphasizes the communal, kinship bond within Israel. It refers to fellow Israelites, highlighting that justice must be applied among family members of the covenant community, without partiality.
• וּשְׁפַטְתֶּם צֶדֶק (u'shephat'tem tzedek): "and you shall judge righteously/justice." U'shephat'tem means "and you shall judge," reinforcing the primary duty. Tzedek (צֶדֶק) is a crucial term, meaning "righteousness," "justice," or "what is right according to a divine standard." It signifies integrity, fairness, and conformity to God’s holy character and law. It implies judging without bias, corruption, or self-interest, but rather according to truth and equity.
• בֵּין אִישׁ וּבֵין אָחִיו (bein ish u'vein achiv): "between a man and his brother." This reiterates the scope of judicial duty, emphasizing common disputes between individual Israelites, reinforcing the previous phrase about "your brothers."
• וּבֵין גֵּרוֹ (u'vein gero): "and between his alien/sojourner." Ger (גֵּר) is a "resident alien" or "sojourner," a non-Israelite living within the community. The inclusion of the ger here is highly significant, mandating equal protection under the law for non-native residents. This stood in stark contrast to many ancient Near Eastern legal codes which often gave limited or no rights to foreigners, underscoring the unique compassion and justice commanded by God for Israel, flowing from their own experience as aliens in Egypt.

Deuteronomy 1 16 Bonus section

• The phrase "at that time" refers specifically to the establishment of the judicial system, likely around Rephidim/Sinai (Exod 18:13-26), after Moses found the burden of judging every dispute for such a vast number of people unsustainable.
• The emphasis on judging "between" people suggests dispute resolution, not just abstract legal interpretation. Judges were peacekeepers and restorers of order and righteousness within the community.
• The legal status of the ger (alien/sojourner) in Israel was remarkably progressive for the ancient world. Many ANE law codes either ignored or exploited non-citizens. Israelite law, conversely, frequently commanded compassion and equal rights for the ger, directly connecting it to Israel's own historical experience as vulnerable sojourners in Egypt (Exod 23:9; Deut 10:19). This serves as a continuous reminder of God’s care for the marginalized.

Deuteronomy 1 16 Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:16 encapsulates foundational principles for the administration of justice in a God-honoring society. Moses’s directive to the judges underscores that their authority was delegated by God Himself, implying a solemn accountability for their rulings. The command "hear the cases" is not a mere procedural step; it denotes deep listening, thorough investigation, and compassionate understanding, ensuring that judgments are based on truth and not on hasty conclusions or superficial appearances. The inclusion of both "brother" (fellow Israelite) and "alien" (resident sojourner) reveals the broad scope of divine justice: it is not limited by kinship, nationality, or social status. Every person within the community, regardless of origin, deserved impartial treatment and access to justice. The imperative to "judge righteously" (tzedek) points to an absolute standard derived from God's own character and law. It's not about human interpretations of fairness alone but about reflecting God's perfect justice, which demands integrity, equity, and the absence of favoritism. This verse teaches that a truly just society mirrors the righteousness of God by protecting the vulnerable, listening intently, and acting with impartiality in all legal matters. This principle applies not only to legal courts but also to personal interactions, encouraging fairness and ethical conduct in all dealings within the community.