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I also said to you at that time, “I am no longer able to sustain you by myself. 10 The Lord your God has increased your population[a] to the point that you are now as numerous as the very stars of the sky.[b] 11 Indeed, may the Lord, the God of your ancestors, make you a thousand times more numerous than you are now, blessing you[c] just as he said he would! 12 But how can I alone bear up under the burden of your hardship and strife? 13 Select wise and practical[d] men, those known among your tribes, whom I may appoint as your leaders.” 14 You replied to me that what I had said to you was good. 15 So I chose[e] as your tribal leaders wise and well-known men, placing them over you as administrators of groups of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, and also as other tribal officials. 16 I furthermore admonished your judges at that time that they[f] should pay attention to issues among your fellow citizens[g] and judge fairly,[h] whether between one person and a native Israelite[i] or a resident foreigner.[j] 17 They[k] must not discriminate in judgment, but hear the lowly[l] and the great alike. Nor should they be intimidated by human beings, for judgment belongs to God. If the matter being adjudicated is too difficult for them, they should bring it before me for a hearing.

Instructions at Kadesh Barnea

18 So I instructed you at that time regarding everything you should do.

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Footnotes

  1. Deuteronomy 1:10 tn Heb “multiplied you.”
  2. Deuteronomy 1:10 tn Or “heavens.” The Hebrew term שָׁמַיִם (shamayim) may be translated “heaven(s)” or “sky” depending on the context.
  3. Deuteronomy 1:11 tn Heb “may he bless you.”
  4. Deuteronomy 1:13 tn The Hebrew verb נְבֹנִים (nevonim, from בִּין [bin]) is a Niphal referring to skill or intelligence (see T. Fretheim, NIDOTTE 1:652-53).
  5. Deuteronomy 1:15 tn Or “selected”; Heb “took.”
  6. Deuteronomy 1:16 tn Or “you.” A number of English versions treat the remainder of this verse and v. 17 as direct discourse rather than indirect discourse (cf. KJV, NAB, NIV, NRSV, NLT).
  7. Deuteronomy 1:16 tn Heb “brothers.” The term “brothers” could, in English, be understood to refer to siblings, so “fellow citizens” has been used in the translation.
  8. Deuteronomy 1:16 tn The Hebrew word צֶדֶק (tsedeq, “fairly”) carries the basic idea of conformity to a norm of expected behavior or character, one established by God himself. Fair judgment adheres strictly to that norm or standard (see D. Reimer, NIDOTTE 3:750).
  9. Deuteronomy 1:16 tn Heb “between a man and his brother.” The first use of “brother” in this verse refers broadly to fellow citizens. This second use is narrower, being in opposition to the “resident foreigner.” The גֵּר (ger) “resident foreigner” was not simply a foreigner (Hebrew נֵכָר; nekar) but was essentially a naturalized citizen and had equal protection under the law. This is one of the verses designed to ensure that equal treatment (see also Deut 10:16-19; 16:18-20; Exod 12:49; Num 15:16, 29).
  10. Deuteronomy 1:16 sn On the Hebrew ger (גֵּר) “resident foreigner,” see notes at Exod 12:19 and Deut 29:11.
  11. Deuteronomy 1:17 tn Heb “you,” and throughout the verse (cf. NASB, NRSV).
  12. Deuteronomy 1:17 tn Heb “the small,” but referring to social status, not physical stature.

Appointment of Tribal Leaders

“At that time I said to you, ‘I am unable by myself to bear you.(A) 10 The Lord your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars of heaven.(B) 11 May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, increase you a thousand times more and bless you, as he has promised you!(C) 12 But how can I bear the heavy burden of your disputes all by myself? 13 Choose for each of your tribes individuals who are wise, discerning, and reputable, and I will make them your leaders.’(D) 14 You answered me, ‘The plan you have proposed is a good one.’ 15 So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and reputable individuals, and installed them as leaders over you, commanders of thousands, commanders of hundreds, commanders of fifties, commanders of tens, and officials, throughout your tribes.(E) 16 I charged your judges at that time: ‘Give the members of your community a fair hearing and judge rightly between one person and another, whether kin or resident alien.(F) 17 You must not be partial in judging: hear out the small and the great alike; you shall not be intimidated by anyone, for the judgment is God’s. Any case that is too hard for you, bring to me, and I will hear it.’(G) 18 So I charged you at that time with all the things that you should do.

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