Exodus 18:21 kjv

Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

Exodus 18:21 nkjv

Moreover you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

Exodus 18:21 niv

But select capable men from all the people?men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain?and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

Exodus 18:21 esv

Moreover, look for able men from all the people, men who fear God, who are trustworthy and hate a bribe, and place such men over the people as chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

Exodus 18:21 nlt

But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes. Appoint them as leaders over groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.

Exodus 18 verses

Exodus 18 21 Meaning

Exodus 18:21 lays out specific and foundational criteria for selecting leaders within the Israelite community, advising Moses to choose morally upright, spiritually discerning, and uncorruptible individuals to help him judge the people. These chosen leaders are to be organized into a hierarchical structure overseeing thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, thereby establishing an efficient and just judicial and administrative system for the nascent nation under God. The verse underscores that true leadership stems from divine reverence, integrity, and disinterest in personal gain.

Exodus 18 21 Context

Exodus chapter 18 details the visit of Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, to the Israelite camp in the wilderness after the exodus from Egypt. Jethro rejoices over God's mighty acts and offers sacrifices, acknowledging the Lord's supremacy. Upon observing Moses judging all the people's disputes from morning till evening, Jethro counsels him on the unsustainability of such a workload and the fatigue it causes both Moses and the people. Verse 21, therefore, provides Jethro's inspired advice for delegating judicial responsibilities by selecting qualified individuals from the community, thereby establishing an organized system of governance that reflects God's wisdom. This practical advice ensures order, justice, and prevents exhaustion of a single leader, anticipating the needs of a large, growing nation. This organizational structure precedes the giving of the full Mosaic Law at Sinai, highlighting the practical wisdom God provides even through non-Israelite sources.

Exodus 18 21 Word analysis

• Moreover, you shall select: (Hebrew: v'ata techazeh) - The opening "moreover" or "and you" (v'ata) emphasizes this as a continuation of Jethro's advice to Moses. Techazeh implies "you shall see," "discern," or "look for" - active and careful discernment is required in choosing.
• from all the people: (mikol ha'am) - The selection pool is comprehensive, indicating that leadership potential is widespread within the community, not confined to a single tribe or class. This shows an early form of merit-based selection.
• able men: (Hebrew: anshei chayil - אַנְשֵׁי חַיִל) - Not merely "strong" but encompasses men of valor, capability, character, and administrative competence. This refers to their practical ability to govern and resolve issues, their moral courage, and general uprightness necessary for leadership. It denotes more than physical strength, suggesting inner resolve and effective capabilities.
• such as fear God: (Hebrew: yirei Elohim - יִרְאֵי אֱלֹהִים) - This is the primary criterion, signifying reverence, respect, and obedience to God. It means they operate under divine authority and will judge righteously, aware of God's oversight. This deep spiritual connection is foundational, as fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and knowledge. Without this, all other qualities can be corrupted.
• men of truth: (Hebrew: anshei emet - אַנְשֵׁי אֱמֶת) - Refers to individuals who are reliable, honest, trustworthy, and committed to upholding truth. They are steadfast and consistent in character and judgment, not swayed by personal bias or external pressures. Their integrity ensures impartial and just decisions.
• hating covetousness: (Hebrew: son'ei batza - שׂנְאֵי בֶצַע) - Directly translates to "hating dishonest gain" or "bribe-haters." This critical quality ensures that leaders are incorruptible and immune to bribery or financial temptation. It highlights integrity in financial matters and judicial impartiality, protecting against exploitation. This directly contrasts the prevailing corruption often seen in ancient judicial systems.
• and place such over them: (v'samta aleihem) - Implies appointment and establishment of authority. These individuals are formally commissioned and given specific roles.
• to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens: (Hebrew: sarei alafim, sarei me'ot, sarei chamishim, v'sarei asarot) - This specifies the hierarchical, decentralized administrative structure. This system ensures efficient caseload management, accessibility to justice, and effective governance for a large population, demonstrating a highly organized and practical approach to delegation. This layered approach ensures that minor issues are resolved at the local level, escalating only truly difficult cases to higher authority.

Exodus 18 21 Bonus section

• Significance of Jethro's Counsel: It's significant that this foundational administrative structure for Israel came from a Midianite priest, Moses' father-in-law. This illustrates God's ability to impart wisdom through unexpected sources, even before the giving of the full Torah, emphasizing that sound principles of governance are universal and can be recognized by those sensitive to divine order.
• Holistic Leadership: The criteria emphasize not just administrative skills (anshei chayil) but profoundly spiritual and moral virtues. This teaches that in a society founded on God's covenant, the leader's character, particularly their relationship with God and commitment to integrity, is paramount, even more so than intellectual brilliance or social standing.
• Prevention of Tyranny and Corruption: By distributing authority and emphasizing incorruptibility, this system inherently worked against the concentration of power and the prevalent abuses of power (like bribery and partiality) common in the ancient Near East. It aimed to create a just and equitable society where the common person had recourse to fair judgment.
• Implication for Church and Modern Leadership: These principles resonate strongly in the selection of leaders in the New Testament church (e.g., elders, deacons in 1 Tim 3, Tit 1) and offer timeless wisdom for secular governance. The call for integrity, honesty, accountability, and the delegation of authority based on character rather than just charisma or power remains relevant for effective, ethical leadership today.

Exodus 18 21 Commentary

Exodus 18:21 presents a divinely wise blueprint for leadership, remarkable for its practical yet profound principles. Jethro's counsel, affirmed by Moses, shifts from a single leader's unsustainable burden to a decentralized system founded on shared, qualified leadership. The listed criteria—fear of God, truthfulness, and a hatred for covetousness—are not merely moral virtues but essential operational prerequisites for impartial and effective governance within a covenant community. "Fear of God" acts as the moral compass, ensuring decisions align with divine standards. "Men of truth" guarantees integrity and reliability, crucial for public trust. "Hating covetousness" specifically guards against bribery and corruption, which often undermine justice. The multi-tiered hierarchy (thousands to tens) illustrates an ingenious administrative structure, making justice accessible and manageable, demonstrating scalable organizational principles applicable in any large group, from civil societies to religious communities, underscoring that effective governance demands both impeccable character and practical delegation.