King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 1:15 Mean?

Deuteronomy 1:15 in the King James Version says “So I took the chief of your tribes, wise men, and known, and made them heads over you, captains over thousands, and capt... — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 1 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. made: Heb. gave

Deuteronomy 1:15 · KJV


Context

13

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

14

And ye answered me, and said, The thing which thou hast spoken is good for us to do.

15

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. made: Heb. gave

16

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.

17

Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God's: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it. respect: Heb. acknowledge faces


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moses' appointment of leaders 'over you' according to military divisions (thousands, hundreds, fifties, tens) created a clear hierarchy and manageable span of control. This organizational structure ensured accessibility (leaders close to the people) and accountability (clear reporting lines). The military structure suggests both order and readiness—God's people needed both pastoral care and strategic organization for their mission.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This system, implemented at Sinai (Exodus 18), served Israel throughout the wilderness journey and into the conquest period. The combination of tribal identity with functional organization balanced cultural continuity with practical effectiveness.

Reflection Questions

  1. How can good organizational structure enhance rather than hinder ministry?
  2. Where do you need clearer lines of authority and accountability?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 21 words
וָֽאֶקַּ֞ח1 of 21

So I took

H3947

to take (in the widest variety of applications)

אֶת2 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רָאשִׁ֖ים3 of 21

the chief

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

לְשִׁבְטֵיכֶֽם׃4 of 21

among your tribes

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

אֲנָשִׁ֤ים5 of 21
H376

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)

חֲכָמִים֙6 of 21

wise

H2450

wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)

וִֽידֻעִ֔ים7 of 21

and known

H3045

to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o

וָֽאֶתֵּ֥ן8 of 21

and made

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

אוֹתָ֛ם9 of 21
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

רָאשִׁ֖ים10 of 21

the chief

H7218

the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)

עֲלֵיכֶ֑ם11 of 21
H5921

above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications

וְשָׂרֵ֣י12 of 21

and captains

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

אֲלָפִ֜ים13 of 21

over thousands

H505

hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand

וְשָׂרֵ֣י14 of 21

and captains

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

מֵא֗וֹת15 of 21

over hundreds

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וְשָׂרֵ֣י16 of 21

and captains

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

חֲמִשִּׁים֙17 of 21

over fifties

H2572

fifty

וְשָׂרֵ֣י18 of 21

and captains

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

עֲשָׂרֹ֔ת19 of 21

over tens

H6235

ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)

וְשֹֽׁטְרִ֖ים20 of 21

and officers

H7860

properly, a scribe, i.e., (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or magistrate

לְשִׁבְטֵיכֶֽם׃21 of 21

among your tribes

H7626

a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of Deuteronomy. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

Deuteronomy 1:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to Deuteronomy 1:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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