Keraia
Deuteronomy 1

Deuteronomy 1:15

Moses Appoints Leaders · Deuteronomy 1:9–18
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Translations

Modern
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.
Traditional
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.
Literal
And I took the heads of your tribes, men wise and knowledgeable, and I appointed them heads over you—leaders of thousands, and leaders of hundreds, and leaders of fifties, and leaders of tens, and officers for your tribes.
Latin
Tulique de tribubus vestris viros sapientes et nobiles, et constitui eos principes, tribunos, et centuriones, et quinquagenarios ac decanos, qui docerent vos singula.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.

Notes

Deuteronomy 1:15

thousands … hundreds … fifties … tens: These numbers describe a common way to organize an army. Soldiers were grouped under leaders of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten. Because this was a normal military system, some of these officials were likely military officers (see 1 Samuel 8:12; 22:7; 2 Samuel 18:1).

Deuteronomy 1:6–4:40

Secular treaties (formal agreements between nations) often included a section about the past relationship between the two partners. This section reviewed what had happened before the agreement.

In this case, the purpose was to review Israel’s successes and failures since the exodus from Egypt. It reminded the people that God had kept his word, even when they did not obey him.

To prepare the Israelites for life in Canaan, Moses reminded them about life in Egypt, their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, and their past mistakes. He warned them to obey God's covenant. He assured them that God's grace would follow them as they learned to trust and obey the Lord.

Theme notes and profiles

Wisdom

Parallels

Exodus 18:13–27

Glossary

Archaeology and the Bible Deuteronomy, Book of Hill Country of the Amorites Judge King

Topics

Court: Civil: Composition of, and Mode of Procedure Court: Superior, and Inferior Courts of Justice: Inferior Court: Judges of, Appointed by the Governor Elder: Elders, with Delegated Powers, Were Authorized to Act for Their Constituency Government: Mosaic: Administrative and Judicial System Government: Mosaic: Closely Associated with Moses and Subsequent Leaders Government: Representative Israel: At the Suggestion of Jethro, Moses' Father-In-Law, They Organize a System of Government Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Mount Sinai: Judges Appointed Judge: Character of, and Precepts Relating To Moses: Institutes a System of Government Officer: Civil: Chosen by the People