Moses Appoints Leaders

Moses says the people have become too numerous for him to carry alone, so leaders are chosen from the tribes and appointed over the community at every level. The arrangement answers both Israel’s growth and its burdens.

A⁹t that time I said to you, “I cannot carry the burden for you alone. ¹⁰The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. ¹¹May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times over and bless you as He has promised. ¹²But how can I bear your troubles, burdens, and disputes all by myself? ¹³Choose for yourselves wise, understanding, and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will appoint them as your leaders.” ¹⁴And you answered me and said, “What you propose to do is good.” ¹⁵So 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.

Moses charges the judges to hear disputes fairly, including those involving foreigners, and not to fear anyone because judgment belongs to God. Hard cases are to be brought to Moses, and the people are instructed in what they are to do.

¹⁶At that time I charged your judges: “Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge fairly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident. ¹⁷Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.” ¹⁸And at that time I commanded you all the things you were to do.