King James Version

What Does Exodus 18:21 Mean?

Exodus 18:21 in the King James Version says “Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and pla... — study this verse from Exodus chapter 18 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

Exodus 18:21 · KJV


Context

19

Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward , that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:

20

And thou shalt teach them ordinances and laws, and shalt shew them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.

21

Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, and rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:

22

And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.

23

If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness—Jethro's criteria for judges establishes qualifications for spiritual leadership. 'Able men' (אַנְשֵׁי־חַיִל, anshei-chayil) means capable, strong, competent. 'Such as fear God' (יִרְאֵי אֱלֹהִים, yirei Elohim) prioritizes spiritual qualification—reverence for God precedes all other qualifications. 'Men of truth' (אַנְשֵׁי אֱמֶת, anshei emet) indicates integrity and reliability. 'Hating covetousness' (שֹׂנְאֵי בָצַע, son'ei vatza') means rejecting bribery and corruption. These four qualifications—ability, godliness, truthfulness, incorruptibility—apply to all church leadership (cf. 1 Tim 3:1-7). The command to 'place such over them' as rulers of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens establishes hierarchical structure for efficient governance.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

This fourfold qualification system predated formal law but established enduring leadership criteria. Acts 6:3's deacon qualifications echo these standards: 'men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom.'

Reflection Questions

  1. Why does 'fear of God' appear first among qualifications, before ability or integrity?
  2. How does 'hating covetousness' protect justice from corruption through bribery?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
וְאַתָּ֣ה1 of 22
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תֶֽחֱזֶ֣ה2 of 22

Moreover thou shalt provide

H2372

to gaze at; mentally to perceive, contemplate (with pleasure); specifically, to have a vision of

מִכָּל3 of 22
H3605

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

הָ֠עָם4 of 22

out of all the people

H5971

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

אַנְשֵׁי5 of 22
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)

חַ֜יִל6 of 22

able

H2428

probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

יִרְאֵ֧י7 of 22

such as fear

H3373

fearing; morally, reverent

אֱלֹהִ֛ים8 of 22

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

אַנְשֵׁ֥י9 of 22
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)

אֱמֶ֖ת10 of 22

of truth

H571

stability; (figuratively) certainty, truth, trustworthiness

שֹׂ֣נְאֵי11 of 22

hating

H8130

to hate (personally)

בָ֑צַע12 of 22

covetousness

H1215

plunder; by extension, gain (usually unjust)

וְשַׂמְתָּ֣13 of 22

and place

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

עֲלֵהֶ֗ם14 of 22
H5921

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

וְשָׂרֵ֥י15 of 22

and rulers

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

אֲלָפִים֙16 of 22

of thousands

H505

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

וְשָׂרֵ֥י17 of 22

and rulers

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

מֵא֔וֹת18 of 22

of hundreds

H3967

a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction

וְשָׂרֵ֥י19 of 22

and rulers

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים20 of 22

of fifties

H2572

fifty

וְשָׂרֵ֥י21 of 22

and rulers

H8269

a head person (of any rank or class)

עֲשָׂרֹֽת׃22 of 22

of tens

H6235

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


Study Guide

Historical Context

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

Theological Significance

Exodus 18:21 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 Exodus 18:21 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Test Your Knowledge

Continue Your Study