Deuteronomy 1:13

KJV

Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, and I will make them rulers over you.

KJV (with Strong's)

Take {H3051} you wise {H2450} men {H582}, and understanding {H995}, and known {H3045} among your tribes {H7626}, and I will make {H7760} them rulers {H7218} over you.

Complete Jewish Bible

Pick for yourselves from each of your tribes men who are wise, understanding and knowledgeable; and I will make them heads over you.'

Berean Standard Bible

Choose for yourselves wise, understanding, and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will appoint them as your leaders.”

American Standard Version

Take you wise men, and understanding, and known, according to your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Deuteronomy 1:13 records Moses' instruction to the Israelite community to select qualified individuals from among their tribes, possessing wisdom, understanding, and a good reputation, whom he would then appoint as leaders. This pivotal moment, recounted as part of Moses' farewell address, underscores the necessity of delegated authority for effective governance and the administration of justice within the burgeoning nation of Israel, reflecting a divine principle of shared responsibility.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** Deuteronomy 1:13 is situated within Moses' opening address to the new generation of Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab before their entry into the Promised Land. This verse is part of Moses' historical review, specifically recounting the events that transpired shortly after their departure from Mount Horeb (Sinai). It immediately follows Moses' lament about the immense burden of judging all the people (Deuteronomy 1:9-12) and precedes his description of the people's positive response and the subsequent appointment of these leaders (Deuteronomy 1:14-18). This recollection serves not only as a historical reminder but also as a foundational lesson in governance, preparing the people for life in the land and the establishment of a just society.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The event recalled in Deuteronomy 1:13 originally occurred early in Israel's wilderness journey, after the giving of the Law at Mount Sinai. At this point, Israel had grown into a vast multitude, numbering potentially millions, making Moses' sole judicial oversight unsustainable. The cultural context emphasizes a patriarchal, tribal society where leadership was often hereditary or based on recognized wisdom and experience. The need for a structured legal system was paramount for maintaining order and administering divine law among such a large, diverse group. The advice for delegation, famously given by Moses' father-in-law Jethro in [Exodus 18:13-26](/exodus/18-13 "Exodus 18:13-26 - Jethro's Counsel to Moses"), highlights a practical solution to a pressing administrative challenge, demonstrating a blend of divine guidance and human organizational wisdom in the nascent stages of Israel's national formation.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates several key themes central to Deuteronomy and the broader Pentateuch. It highlights the theme of **delegation of authority**, demonstrating Moses' recognition of his own limitations and the necessity of distributing the immense burden of leadership for the sake of the community's well-being. Coupled with this is the theme of **qualities of leadership**, as Moses explicitly outlines the moral and intellectual virtues required for those who would serve as judges and rulers. Furthermore, the verse underscores the interplay between **divine appointment and community participation**; while the people were instructed to "take" or select these men, Moses' declaration, "I will make them rulers over you," signifies that their ultimate authority was sanctioned by God through Moses, ensuring legitimate and effective governance. This episode also implicitly touches on the theme of **justice and order**, as the primary purpose of these appointed leaders was to administer judgments and resolve disputes, thereby establishing a stable and equitable society under God's law, as emphasized throughout [Deuteronomy](/deuteronomy/1 "Deuteronomy - The Second Law").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Wise men (Hebrew, _ḥăḵāmîm'_):** This term refers to individuals possessing practical wisdom, discernment, and skill, often associated with the ability to apply knowledge effectively in real-life situations. It implies not merely intellectual acumen but also a moral and spiritual insight, enabling sound judgment and prudent decision-making, particularly in matters of justice and administration.
* **Understanding (Hebrew, _nəḇōnîm'_):** This word denotes intellectual insight, intelligence, and the capacity to comprehend complex situations, analyze information, and discern the nuances of a matter. It speaks to a deeper level of comprehension than mere knowledge, allowing leaders to grasp the implications of their decisions and offer sagacious counsel.
* **Known (Hebrew, _yəḏuʿîm'_):** This term signifies individuals who are publicly recognized, reputable, and esteemed within their community. It implies a proven track record of integrity, trustworthiness, and competence, indicating that their character and abilities were already established and acknowledged by their peers, making them suitable for positions of public trust.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"Take you wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes":** This opening clause represents Moses' directive to the Israelite community, empowering them to actively participate in the selection of their leaders. The qualities specified—wisdom, understanding, and public recognition—are not merely intellectual but encompass moral integrity and proven character, essential for those entrusted with judicial and administrative authority within a tribal society. The phrase "among your tribes" emphasizes that these leaders should emerge from and be familiar with the very communities they are to serve, fostering trust and accountability.
* **"and I will make them rulers over you":** This second clause highlights the ultimate source of authority. While the people were to select the candidates, Moses, as God's appointed leader, retained the prerogative to formally appoint them to their positions. This signifies a divine sanction and legitimization of their leadership, ensuring that their authority was not merely derived from popular vote but also from God's established order, channeled through His chosen mediator. It underscores the concept of delegated authority, where human selection is affirmed by divine appointment.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs **Direct Address**, as Moses speaks directly to the people of Israel, giving them a clear command and explaining the rationale for the delegation of authority. This creates a sense of immediacy and personal involvement for the audience. The use of a **Triad** in describing the desired qualities ("wise men, and understanding, and known") emphasizes the comprehensive nature of the required leadership attributes, suggesting that a truly effective leader must possess a blend of practical wisdom, intellectual insight, and established reputation. This triadic structure lends a sense of completeness and balance to the qualifications. Furthermore, the verse functions as a form of **Recapitulation**, as Moses is recounting a past event (originally found in [Exodus 18](/exodus/18 "Exodus 18 - Jethro's Counsel")) to a new generation, reinforcing the foundational principles of governance and justice that were established early in their journey.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
Deuteronomy 1:13 provides a profound theological statement on the nature of leadership within God's covenant community. It reveals God's concern for justice and order, not through a single, overburdened authority figure, but through a distributed system of governance that leverages the gifts and recognized character of the people. This act of delegation, initiated by divine wisdom (as conveyed through Jethro's counsel and Moses' implementation), underscores that effective leadership involves recognizing human limitations and empowering others. The emphasis on wisdom, understanding, and being "known" reflects a divine standard for those who would serve in positions of authority, prioritizing integrity and discernment over mere power or popularity. This model anticipates later biblical principles of selecting elders and deacons in the New Testament, who were likewise chosen based on spiritual maturity, wisdom, and good reputation.

* [Exodus 18:21-22](/exodus/18-21 "Exodus 18:21-22 - Jethro's Advice on Appointing Leaders")
* [Numbers 11:16-17](/numbers/11-16 "Numbers 11:16-17 - The Appointment of Seventy Elders")
* [Acts 6:3](/acts/6-3 "Acts 6:3 - Selection of Seven Men to Serve")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Deuteronomy 1:13 offers timeless principles for leadership selection and organizational structure that resonate deeply with contemporary challenges in families, churches, businesses, and governments. It calls us to consider the profound importance of identifying and empowering individuals who possess not just skill, but genuine wisdom, deep understanding, and a proven track record of integrity within their communities. For leaders, it serves as a powerful reminder of the necessity of delegation—recognizing our own limitations and strategically entrusting responsibilities to capable and trustworthy individuals, thereby preventing burnout and fostering broader participation. For communities, it emphasizes the value of active involvement in the selection of those who will lead them, ensuring that authority is vested in those who are respected, known, and truly represent the best qualities of the group. This biblical model promotes a healthy, sustainable, and just structure where burdens are shared, justice is accessible, and the collective well-being is prioritized, reflecting a divine blueprint for communal flourishing.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What specific qualities do I look for in leaders within my community or organization, and how do they align with "wise," "understanding," and "known"?**
* **In what areas of my own life or leadership could I benefit from wisely delegating responsibilities to others?**
* **How can communities better participate in the identification and affirmation of leaders who genuinely embody wisdom and integrity?**

### FAQ

**Was this the first time Moses delegated authority, or had he done so before?**

Answer: While Deuteronomy 1:13 recounts Moses' instruction to the people to select leaders, this event is a re-telling of an earlier, pivotal moment in Israel's history. The original account of this delegation, specifically spurred by the advice of Moses' father-in-law Jethro, is found in [Exodus 18:13-26](/exodus/18-13 "Exodus 18:13-26 - Jethro's Counsel to Moses"). Jethro observed Moses' overwhelming burden as the sole judge and counseled him to appoint "able 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." This earlier event marks the true beginning of this structured delegation of judicial authority within Israel.

**What is the significance of the people "taking" or selecting these men, contrasted with Moses "making them rulers"?**

Answer: This dynamic highlights a crucial balance between communal participation and divine authority in leadership. The people's role in "taking" or selecting (Hebrew: `tēnu` - "give, provide") these individuals implies a democratic element, where the community identifies and puts forward those they recognize as qualified and trustworthy. This ensures that the leaders are accepted and respected by those they serve. However, Moses' declaration, "I will make them rulers over you," signifies that the ultimate appointment and legitimization of their authority came through God's chosen leader. This dual process ensures that leadership is not merely a popular choice but also divinely sanctioned, grounding their authority in God's will and providing a framework for legitimate governance. It's a model where human discernment and divine ordination converge.

**How does this passage relate to the concept of the "seventy elders" in Numbers 11?**

Answer: While both passages deal with the delegation of leadership, they describe distinct, though related, events. Deuteronomy 1:13 (recounting the Exodus 18 event) focuses on the appointment of a broad judicial system of "rulers" over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, primarily for administering justice and resolving disputes. In contrast, [Numbers 11:16-17](/numbers/11-16 "Numbers 11:16-17 - The Spirit on the Seventy Elders") describes the appointment of seventy elders specifically to share the burden of Moses' spiritual and administrative leadership, with God placing His Spirit upon them. While the earlier appointment (Deuteronomy 1:13/Exodus 18) established a legal framework, the Numbers 11 event provided a spiritual and administrative support system, demonstrating God's provision for both the practical and spiritual governance of His people. Both instances, however, underscore the principle of shared leadership and God's care for His people through delegated authority.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Deuteronomy 1:13, in its emphasis on wise, understanding, and known leaders, foreshadows the ultimate and perfect leader in Jesus Christ. While the Old Testament leaders, even those chosen by God, were fallible and limited, Jesus embodies the fullness of all these qualities without blemish. He is the very **Wisdom of God** ([1 Corinthians 1:24](/1_corinthians/1-24 "1 Corinthians 1:24 - Christ the Power and Wisdom of God")), possessing infinite understanding and discernment, perfectly able to judge and rule with righteousness. He is the **"Known" One**, not merely by reputation among a tribe, but eternally known and acknowledged by the Father ([John 10:14](/john/10-14 "John 10:14 - I am the Good Shepherd, and I know My sheep")) and proven by His perfect life, death, and resurrection as the **Son of God** ([Romans 1:4](/romans/1-4 "Romans 1:4 - Declared Son of God with Power")). Furthermore, the delegation of authority seen in Deuteronomy points to Christ's establishment of His church, where He, as the Chief Shepherd ([1 Peter 5:4](/1_peter/5-4 "1 Peter 5:4 - The Chief Shepherd")), appoints and empowers spiritual leaders—elders and deacons—who are likewise called to embody wisdom, understanding, and a good reputation within the community ([Titus 1:5-9](/titus/1-5 "Titus 1:5-9 - Qualifications for Elders"); [1 Timothy 3:1-13](/1_timothy/3-1 "1 Timothy 3:1-13 - Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons")). Thus, the principles of righteous leadership found in Deuteronomy find their ultimate and complete fulfillment in the person and ongoing work of Christ through His body, the Church.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Exodus 18:21

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:

Acts 1:21

Wherefore of these men which have companied with us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

Acts 1:23

And they appointed two, Joseph called Barsabas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

Numbers 11:16

¶ And the LORD said unto Moses, Gather unto me seventy men of the elders of Israel, whom thou knowest to be the elders of the people, and officers over them; and bring them unto the tabernacle of the congregation, that they may stand there with thee.

Numbers 11:17

And I will come down and talk with thee there: and I will take of the spirit which [is] upon thee, and will put [it] upon them; and they shall bear the burden of the people with thee, that thou bear [it] not thyself alone.

Acts 6:2

Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples [unto them], and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

Acts 6:6

Whom they set before the apostles: and when they had prayed, they laid [their] hands on them.