King James Version

What Does Deuteronomy 16:18 Mean?

Deuteronomy 16:18 in the King James Version says “Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, throughout thy tribes: an...” — study this verse from Deuteronomy chapter 16 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“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.”

Deuteronomy 16:18 · KJV

Context

16

Three times in a year shall all thy males appear before the LORD thy God in the place which he shall choose; in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles: and they shall not appear before the LORD empty:

17

Every man shall give as he is able , according to the blessing of the LORD thy God which he hath given thee. as: Heb. according to the gift of his hand

18

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.

19

Thou shalt not wrest judgment; thou shalt not respect persons, neither take a gift: for a gift doth blind the eyes of the wise, and pervert the words of the righteous. words: or, matters

20

That which is altogether just shalt thou follow, that thou mayest live, and inherit the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee. That which: Heb. Justice, justice

Read Deuteronomy 16 full chapter

Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates—This verse transitions from worship (vv. 1-17) to justice (16:18-18:22), linking liturgy with law. The Hebrew shofetim veshotrim (שֹׁפְטִ֣ים וְשֹֽׁטְרִ֗ים, 'judges and officers') distinguishes judicial officials (who decide cases) from executive officers (who enforce decisions). 'In all thy gates' (בְכָל־שְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ) means every town—justice must be locally accessible, not centralized bureaucracy.

Throughout thy tribes (לִשְׁבָטֶ֑יךָ)—each of Israel's twelve tribes must establish justice systems, preventing judicial monopolies. The democratic note 'thou shalt make thee' (titten-lecha, תִּתֶּן־לְךָ֙) suggests community participation in selecting judges.

And they shall judge the people with just judgment—The emphatic phrase mishpat-tzedek (מִשְׁפַּט־צֶֽדֶק, 'righteous judgment') means justice according to God's law, not human opinion. The word tzedek (righteousness) appears throughout this section (vv. 19-20), emphasizing that justice reflects God's character. Paul later echoes this principle: magistrates are 'ministers of God' for good (Romans 13:4).

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Historical & Cultural Context

Moses established this justice system after Jethro's counsel (Exodus 18:13-26), creating tiered courts to handle disputes. This command assumes Israel's settled life in Canaan with stable towns ('gates' = city courts, where elders judged). The system decentralized justice, preventing tyranny through local accountability. Ancient Near Eastern law codes (Hammurabi, etc.) were royal edicts; Israel's law was covenant revelation, with judges applying divine standards rather than kingly decrees. This distinction made Israel's justice system theocratic, not autocratic.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does local, accessible justice ('in all thy gates') reflect God's concern that righteousness be practically available to all?
  2. What does the link between worship (vv. 1-17) and justice (vv. 18ff) teach about the inseparability of liturgy and ethics?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 17 words
וְשָֽׁפְט֥וּ1 of 17

“Judges”

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

וְשֹֽׁטְרִ֗ים2 of 17

“and officers”

H7860

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

נֹתֵ֥ן3 of 17

“giveth”

H5414

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

לְךָ֙4 of 17
H0
בְּכָל5 of 17
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

שְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ6 of 17

“thee in all thy gates”

H8179

an opening, i.e., door or gate

אֲשֶׁ֨ר7 of 17
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

יְהוָ֧ה8 of 17

“which the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ9 of 17

“thy God”

H430

gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme god; occasionally applied by way of

נֹתֵ֥ן10 of 17

“giveth”

H5414

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

לְךָ֖11 of 17
H0
לִשְׁבָטֶ֑יךָ12 of 17

“thee throughout thy tribes”

H7626

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

וְשָֽׁפְט֥וּ13 of 17

“Judges”

H8199

to judge, i.e., pronounce sentence (for or against); by implication, to vindicate or punish; by extenssion, to govern; passively, to litigate (literal

אֶת14 of 17
H853

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

הָעָ֖ם15 of 17

“the people”

H5971

a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock

מִשְׁפַּט16 of 17

“judgment”

H4941

properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a sentence or formal decree (human or (participant's) divine law, ind

צֶֽדֶק׃17 of 17

“with just”

H6664

the right (natural, moral or legal); also (abstractly) equity or (figuratively) prosperity

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 16:18 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 16:18 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Chronicles 23:4Deuteronomy 17:12Deuteronomy 21:2Deuteronomy 17:91 Chronicles 26:29Exodus 18:25-26

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