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Deuteronomy 1:15

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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.

So I took {H3947} the chief {H7218} of your tribes {H7626}, wise {H2450} men {H582}, and known {H3045}, and made {H5414} them heads {H7218} over you, captains {H8269} over thousands {H505}, and captains {H8269} over hundreds {H3967}, and captains {H8269} over fifties {H2572}, and captains {H8269} over tens {H6235}, and officers {H7860} among your tribes {H7626}.

So I took the heads of your tribes, men wise and knowledgable, and made them heads over you - leaders in charge of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens, and officers, tribe by tribe.

So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them as leaders over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, and as officers for your tribes.

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

Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:15 describes Moses' strategic implementation of a leadership structure among the Israelites during their wilderness journey, a crucial step in organizing the vast multitude after their departure from Egypt. This verse highlights the process of appointing capable individuals to manage the daily affairs and resolve disputes within the community.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse is part of Moses' farewell address to the Israelites, delivered on the plains of Moab before they entered the Promised Land. He is recounting the history of their forty-year wilderness trek, reminding them of God's faithfulness and their responsibilities. The specific event described here dates back to the early days of their journey, shortly after the Exodus from Egypt. The immense population of the Israelite camp necessitated a system of governance to maintain order and administer justice, as Moses himself was overwhelmed with the burden of hearing every dispute. This organizational structure was famously advised by Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, as recorded in Exodus 18, who recognized the unsustainable nature of Moses bearing the entire load of leadership alone.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Delegation and Distributed Leadership: Moses, though divinely appointed, understood the necessity of sharing authority and responsibility. This act of delegation ensured that the immense task of governing millions of people could be managed effectively, preventing burnout and ensuring accessibility for the people.
  • Selection Criteria for Leaders: The verse emphasizes the qualities of those chosen: "wise men, and known." This implies not just intellectual capacity but practical discernment, integrity, and a good reputation within the community. Leaders were to be distinguished by their character and proven ability to handle complex situations.
  • Hierarchical Structure and Order: The establishment of "captains over thousands, and captains over hundreds, and captains over fifties, and captains over tens" illustrates a well-organized, tiered system. This structure allowed for efficient administration, clear lines of authority, and manageable units for resolving disputes and maintaining discipline. It reflected a practical approach to managing a large, transient population, ensuring that justice and leadership were accessible at various levels.
  • Community Governance: The appointment of "officers among your tribes" further solidifies the idea of a structured, self-governing community. This system was vital for the Israelites' cohesion and their ability to function as a unified nation under God's law.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "wise men, and known" (Hebrew: חֲכָמִים וִידֻעִים, chakhamim viydueem) is significant. Chakhamim refers to those possessing wisdom, skill, and practical discernment, often associated with spiritual insight and good judgment. Yidueem implies those who are "known" or "respected," suggesting individuals with a good reputation and public trust. This combination underscores that leadership was not just about intellectual ability but also about moral standing and community recognition.

Practical Application

Deuteronomy 1:15 offers timeless principles for leadership and organization in any setting, from government and business to churches and families:

  • The Importance of Delegation: No single leader can bear every burden. Effective leadership involves empowering others and distributing responsibilities.
  • Choosing Qualified Leaders: The criteria for leadership should emphasize wisdom, integrity, and a proven track record, not just charisma or popularity. Organizations thrive when their leaders are "wise and known."
  • Establishing Clear Structure: A well-defined organizational hierarchy, even if simple, promotes efficiency, accountability, and clarity, preventing chaos and confusion. This enables better communication and problem-solving.
  • Empowering Local Leaders: By appointing leaders at various levels (tens, fifties, hundreds, thousands), Moses ensured that help and guidance were readily available to all, fostering a sense of community and support. This mirrors the need for strong local leadership in modern organizations and congregations, as seen in Paul's instructions to Titus regarding appointing elders in every town.

This verse serves as a foundational example of how divine guidance often works through practical, human organization to achieve God's purposes for His people.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Deuteronomy 16:18 (4 votes)

    ¶ Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.

  • Exodus 18:25 (4 votes)

    And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

  • Exodus 18:26 (4 votes)

    And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

  • Ephesians 4:11 (3 votes)

    And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;

  • 1 Samuel 8:12 (2 votes)

    And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and [will set them] to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots.

  • 1 Samuel 17:18 (2 votes)

    And carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of [their] thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.

  • 1 Samuel 22:7 (2 votes)

    Then Saul said unto his servants that stood about him, Hear now, ye Benjamites; will the son of Jesse give every one of you fields and vineyards, [and] make you all captains of thousands, and captains of hundreds;