Deuteronomy 1:16

King James Version:

(The Lord speaking is red text)

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.

Complete Jewish Bible:

At that time I commissioned your judges, 'Hear the cases that arise between your brothers; and judge fairly between a man and his brother, and the foreigner who is with him.

Berean Standard Bible:

At that time I charged your judges: “Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge fairly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident.

American Standard Version:

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

KJV with Strong’s Numbers:

And I charged^{H6680} your judges^{H8199} at that time^{H6256}, saying^{H559}, Hear^{H8085} the causes between your brethren^{H251}, and judge^{H8199} righteously^{H6664} between every man^{H376} and his brother^{H251}, and the stranger^{H1616} that is with him.

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Commentary for Deuteronomy 1:16

Deuteronomy 1:16 is part of the first speech Moses delivers to the Israelites as they prepare to enter the Promised Land after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. This verse reflects several key themes and historical contexts:

**Themes:**

1. **Justice and Fairness:** Moses emphasizes the importance of impartial justice, instructing the judges to hear cases without bias and to render fair judgments, treating each individual equally, whether they are fellow Israelites or strangers (non-Israelites).

2. **Leadership and Delegation:** This verse highlights Moses' role as a leader in establishing a judicial system. He delegates judicial authority to other capable individuals to manage disputes among the people, demonstrating a model of shared governance.

3. **Divine Authority:** The command to judge righteously implies a moral and legal standard derived from God's laws, suggesting that human justice should reflect divine justice.

4. **Inclusivity:** The inclusion of "the stranger" in the command indicates a principle of equity that extends beyond the Israelite community, reflecting a concern for the fair treatment of all residents, including foreigners.

**Historical Context:**

The book of Deuteronomy is presented as a series of speeches by Moses to the Israelites on the plains of Moab, just before they cross the Jordan River into Canaan. The Israelites have been shaped by their experiences of slavery in Egypt, the Exodus, and the wilderness wanderings. They are about to transition from a nomadic lifestyle to a more settled, agricultural existence in the land promised to their ancestors.

During their time in the wilderness, the Israelites received the Law at Mount Sinai, which included legal and moral instructions for community life. Deuteronomy 1:16 reflects the need to implement these laws through a judicial system that can operate effectively in the new context they are about to enter.

The historical setting is thus one of transition and preparation for a new way of life in which the Israelites must establish a society founded on the principles and laws given by God. The command to judge righteously is part of Moses' broader efforts to ensure that the Israelites remain faithful to God's covenant and laws as they move into this new phase of their national life.

*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model

Strong's Numbers and Definitions:

Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)

1. Strong's Number: H6680
   There are 475 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צָוָה
   Transliteration: tsâvâh
   Pronunciation: tsaw-vaw'
   Description: a primitive root; (intensively) to constitute, enjoin; appoint, (for-) bid, (give a) charge, (give a, give in, send with) command(-er, -ment), send a messenger, put, (set) in order.
   
2. Strong's Number: H8199
   There are 182 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁפַט
   Transliteration: shâphaṭ
   Pronunciation: shaw-fat'
   Description: a primitive root; to judge, i.e. pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literally or figuratively); [phrase] avenge, [idiom] that condemn, contend, defend, execute (judgment), (be a) judge(-ment), [idiom] needs, plead, reason, rule.
   
3. Strong's Number: H6256
   There are 258 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: עֵת
   Transliteration: ʻêth
   Pronunciation: ayth
   Description: from עַד; time, especially (adverb with preposition) now, when, etc.; [phrase] after, (al-) ways, [idiom] certain, [phrase] continually, [phrase] evening, long, (due) season, so (long) as, (even-, evening-, noon-) tide, (meal-), what) time, when.
   
4. Strong's Number: H559
   There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָמַר
   Transliteration: ʼâmar
   Pronunciation: aw-mar'
   Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet.
   
5. Strong's Number: H8085
   There are 1072 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: שָׁמַע
   Transliteration: shâmaʻ
   Pronunciation: shaw-mah'
   Description: a primitive root; to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively, to tell, etc.); [idiom] attentively, call (gather) together, [idiom] carefully, [idiom] certainly, consent, consider, be content, declare, [idiom] diligently, discern, give ear, (cause to, let, make to) hear(-ken, tell), [idiom] indeed, listen, make (a) noise, (be) obedient, obey, perceive, (make a) proclaim(-ation), publish, regard, report, shew (forth), (make a) sound, [idiom] surely, tell, understand, whosoever (heareth), witness.
   
6. Strong's Number: H251
   There are 636 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אָח
   Transliteration: ʼâch
   Pronunciation: awkh
   Description: a primitive word; a brother (used in the widest sense of literal relationship and metaphorical affinity or resemblance (like father)); another, brother(-ly); kindred, like, other. Compare also the proper names beginning with 'Ah-' or 'Ahi-'.
   
7. Strong's Number: H6664
   There are 109 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: צֶדֶק
   Transliteration: tsedeq
   Pronunciation: tseh'-dek
   Description: from צָדַק; the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity; [idiom] even, ([idiom] that which is altogether) just(-ice), (un-)right(-eous) (cause, -ly, -ness).
   
8. Strong's Number: H376
   There are 1507 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: אִישׁ
   Transliteration: ʼîysh
   Pronunciation: eesh
   Description: contracted for אֱנוֹשׁ (or perhaps rather from an unused root meaning to be extant); a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation); also, another, any (man), a certain, [phrase] champion, consent, each, every (one), fellow, (foot-, husband-) man, (good-, great, mighty) man, he, high (degree), him (that is), husband, man(-kind), [phrase] none, one, people, person, [phrase] steward, what (man) soever, whoso(-ever), worthy. Compare אִשָּׁה.
   
9. Strong's Number: H1616
   There are 83 instances of this translation in the Bible
   Lemma: גֵּר
   Transliteration: gêr
   Pronunciation: gare
   Description: or (fully) geyr (gare); from גּוּר; properly, a guest; by implication, a foreigner; alien, sojourner, stranger.