CINXE.COM

<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Deuteronomy 16:18 You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/deuteronomy/16-18.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/17/05_Deu_16_18.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Deuteronomy 16:18 - Judges and Justice" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head> <script async src="https://www.googletagmanager.com/gtag/js?id=G-LR4HSKRP2H"></script> <script> window.dataLayer = window.dataLayer || []; function gtag(){dataLayer.push(arguments);} gtag('js', new Date()); gtag('config', 'G-LR4HSKRP2H'); </script><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/deuteronomy/16-18.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/deuteronomy/16-18.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/">Deuteronomy</a> > <a href="/deuteronomy/16.htm">Chapter 16</a> > Verse 18</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad18.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-17.htm" title="Deuteronomy 16:17">◄</a> Deuteronomy 16:18 <a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm" title="Deuteronomy 16:19">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/16.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/16.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Appoint judges and officials for each of your tribes in every town the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall judge the people fairly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/16.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“Appoint judges and officials for yourselves from each of your tribes in all the towns the LORD your God is giving you. They must judge the people fairly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/16.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />“You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/16.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/16.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />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.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/deuteronomy/16.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />“You shall appoint judges and officers in all your gates, which the LORD your God gives you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with just judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/deuteronomy/16.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />“You shall appoint for yourself judges and officers in all your towns which the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/16.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />&#8220You shall appoint for yourself judges and officers in all your towns which the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/deuteronomy/16.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />“You shall appoint for yourself judges and officers in all your towns which the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/deuteronomy/16.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />“You shall appoint for yourself judges and officers in all your gates <i>of the towns</i> which Yahweh your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/deuteronomy/16.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />“You shall appoint judges and officers in all your cities (gates) which the LORD your God is giving you, according to your tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/deuteronomy/16.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“Appoint judges and officials for your tribes in all your towns the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/deuteronomy/16.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Appoint judges and officials for your tribes in all your towns the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/deuteronomy/16.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, according to thy tribes; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/deuteronomy/16.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, according to thy tribes: and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/deuteronomy/16.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Appoint judges and officers for your tribes in every city that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people fairly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/deuteronomy/16.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />"Appoint judges and other officials in every town that the LORD your God gives you. These men are to judge the people impartially. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/deuteronomy/16.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />"Appoint judges and civil servants according to your tribes in all your cities that the LORD your God is about to give you, so they may judge the people impartially.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/deuteronomy/16.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />You must appoint judges and civil servants for each tribe in all your villages that the LORD your God is giving you, and they must judge the people fairly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/deuteronomy/16.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />You shall make judges and officers in all your gates, which the LORD your God gives you, according to your tribes; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/deuteronomy/16.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />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.<div class="vheading2"><b>Majority Text Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/deuteronomy/16.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/deuteronomy/16.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />You shall make judges and officers in all your gates, which Yahweh your God gives you, according to your tribes; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/deuteronomy/16.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />You set for yourself judges and authorities within all your gates which your God YHWH is giving to you, for your tribes; and they have judged the people [with] a righteous judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/deuteronomy/16.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'Judges and authorities thou dost make to thee within all thy gates which Jehovah thy God is giving to thee, for thy tribes; and they have judged the people -- a righteous judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/deuteronomy/16.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />Judges and scribes shall thou give to thee in all thy gates which Jehovah thy God gave to thee according to thy tribes: and they judged the people just judgment.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/deuteronomy/16.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />Thou shalt appoint judges and magistrates in all thy gates, which the Lord thy God shall give thee, in all thy tribes: that they may judge the people with just judgment, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/deuteronomy/16.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />You shall appoint judges and magistrates at all your gates, which the Lord your God will give to you, throughout each of your tribes, so that they may judge the people with a just judgment,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/deuteronomy/16.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />In all the communities which the LORD, your God, is giving you, you shall appoint judges and officials throughout your tribes to administer true justice for the people.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/deuteronomy/16.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />You shall appoint judges and officials throughout your tribes, in all your towns that the LORD your God is giving you, and they shall render just decisions for the people.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/deuteronomy/16.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />You shall appoint to yourselves judges and scribes in all your cities, which the LORD your God gives you, throughout your tribes; and they shall judge the people with just judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/deuteronomy/16.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />Make for yourself Judges and Scribes in all your cities that LORD JEHOVAH your God gives to you for your tribes, and they shall judge the people with the judgment of righteousness.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/deuteronomy/16.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which the LORD thy God giveth thee, tribe by tribe; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/deuteronomy/16.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />Thou shalt make for thyself judges and officers in thy cities, which the Lord thy God gives thee in <i>thy</i> tribes, and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/IRhBtZaVxJ0?start=4772" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/deuteronomy/16.htm">Judges and Justice</a></span><br> <span class="reftext">18</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: tit·ten- (V-Qal-Imperf-2ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">You are to appoint</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/8199.htm" title="8199: šō·p̄ə·ṭîm (V-Qal-Prtcpl-mp) -- To judge, govern. ">judges</a> <a href="/hebrew/7860.htm" title="7860: wə·šō·ṭə·rîm (Conj-w:: N-mp) -- Active participle of an otherwise unused root probably meaning to write; properly, a scribe, i.e. an official superintendent or magistrate.">and officials</a> <a href="/hebrew/7626.htm" title="7626: liš·ḇā·ṭe·ḵā (Prep-l:: N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe. From an unused root probably meaning to branch off; a scion, i.e. a stick Or a clan.">for your tribes</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: bə·ḵāl (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">in every</a> <a href="/hebrew/8179.htm" title="8179: šə·‘ā·re·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- A gate. From sha'ar in its original sense; an opening, i.e. Door or gate.">town</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc.">that</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā (N-mpc:: 2ms) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">your God</a> <a href="/hebrew/5414.htm" title="5414: nō·ṯên (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To give, put, set. A primitive root; to give, used with greatest latitude of application.">is giving</a> <a href="/hebrew/lə·ḵā (Prep:: 2ms) -- ">you.</a> <a href="/hebrew/8199.htm" title="8199: wə·šā·p̄ə·ṭū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To judge, govern. ">They are to judge</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/6664.htm" title="6664: ṣe·ḏeq (N-ms) -- Rightness, righteousness. From tsadaq; the right; also equity or prosperity.">with righteous</a> <a href="/hebrew/4941.htm" title="4941: miš·paṭ- (N-msc) -- Judgment. ">judgment.</a> </span><span class="reftext">19</span>Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/18-21.htm">Exodus 18:21-22</a></span><br />Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. / Have these men judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you any major issue, but all minor cases they can judge on their own, so that your load may be lightened as they share it with you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/19-5.htm">2 Chronicles 19:5-7</a></span><br />He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. / Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment. / And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1-4</a></span><br />Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/29-2.htm">Proverbs 29:2</a></span><br />When the righteous flourish, the people rejoice, but when the wicked rule, the people groan.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/2-13.htm">1 Peter 2:13-14</a></span><br />Submit yourselves for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether to the king as the supreme authority, / or to governors as those sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to praise those who do right.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/1-26.htm">Isaiah 1:26</a></span><br />I will restore your judges as at first, and your counselors as at the beginning. After that you will be called the City of Righteousness, the Faithful City.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/23-23.htm">Matthew 23:23</a></span><br />Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You pay tithes of mint, dill, and cumin. But you have disregarded the weightier matters of the law: justice, mercy, and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_samuel/8-1.htm">1 Samuel 8:1-3</a></span><br />When Samuel grew old, he appointed his sons as judges over Israel. / The name of his firstborn son was Joel, and the name of his second was Abijah. They were judges in Beersheba. / But his sons did not walk in his ways; they turned aside toward dishonest gain, accepting bribes and perverting justice.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a></span><br />He has shown you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you but to act justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/6-3.htm">Acts 6:3</a></span><br />Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/leviticus/19-15.htm">Leviticus 19:15</a></span><br />You must not pervert justice; you must not show partiality to the poor or favoritism to the rich; you are to judge your neighbor fairly.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-8.htm">James 2:8-9</a></span><br />If you really fulfill the royal law stated in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. / But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as transgressors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/22-3.htm">Jeremiah 22:3</a></span><br />This is what the LORD says: Administer justice and righteousness. Rescue the victim of robbery from the hand of his oppressor. Do no wrong or violence to the foreigner, the fatherless, or the widow. Do not shed innocent blood in this place.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/luke/18-1.htm">Luke 18:1-8</a></span><br />Then Jesus told them a parable about their need to pray at all times and not lose heart: / “In a certain town there was a judge who neither feared God nor respected men. / And there was a widow in that town who kept appealing to him, ‘Give me justice against my adversary.’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/amos/5-14.htm">Amos 5:14-15</a></span><br />Seek good, not evil, so that you may live. And the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be with you, as you have claimed. / Hate evil and love good; establish justice in the gate. Perhaps the LORD, the God of Hosts, will be gracious to the remnant of Joseph.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">Judges and officers shall you make you in all your gates, which the LORD your God gives you, throughout your tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment.</p><p class="hdg">Judges</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/1-15.htm">Deuteronomy 1:15-17</a></b></br> 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… </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/17-9.htm">Deuteronomy 17:9,12</a></b></br> And thou shalt come unto the priests the Levites, and unto the judge that shall be in those days, and inquire; and they shall shew thee the sentence of judgment: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/19-17.htm">Deuteronomy 19:17,18</a></b></br> Then both the men, between whom the controversy <i>is</i>, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; … </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/deuteronomy/1-13.htm">Appoint</a> <a href="/exodus/5-19.htm">Authorities</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-16.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-16.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-18.htm">Judging</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-18.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-15.htm">Officers</a> <a href="/numbers/26-9.htm">Officials</a> <a href="/exodus/5-13.htm">Overseers</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/4-8.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/9-6.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/1-15.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-14.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/10-8.htm">Tribe</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/12-14.htm">Tribes</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/6-18.htm">Upright</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/deuteronomy/17-15.htm">Appoint</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-9.htm">Authorities</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-9.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/19-17.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Judging</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Judgment</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-5.htm">Officers</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/29-10.htm">Officials</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/20-8.htm">Overseers</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Righteous</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-20.htm">Righteousness</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-6.htm">Throughout</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-2.htm">Towns</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-1.htm">Tribe</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/18-5.htm">Tribes</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm">Upright</a><div class="vheading2">Deuteronomy 16</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-1.htm">The feast of the Passover</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-9.htm">of weeks</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-13.htm">of tabernacles</a></span><br><span class="reftext">16. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-16.htm">Every male must offer, as he is able, at these three feasts</a></span><br><span class="reftext">18. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Of judges and justice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">21. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-21.htm">Asherah poles and images are forbidden</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/16.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/deuteronomy/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/deuteronomy/16.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes</b><br>In the context of ancient Israel, the appointment of judges and officials was crucial for maintaining order and justice within the community. This directive reflects the decentralized nature of Israelite governance, where each tribe had a degree of autonomy. The role of judges was not only judicial but also spiritual, as they were expected to uphold God's laws. This system can be seen as a precursor to the later establishment of the monarchy, where centralized authority became more pronounced. The appointment of judges is reminiscent of Moses' earlier actions in <a href="/exodus/18-13.htm">Exodus 18:13-26</a>, where he appointed leaders to help him judge the people, following the advice of his father-in-law Jethro.<p><b>in every town that the LORD your God is giving you</b><br>This phrase emphasizes the divine origin of the Israelites' land and their settlements. The towns were not just places of residence but were seen as gifts from God, reinforcing the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The distribution of judges in every town ensured that justice was accessible to all, reflecting God's concern for equity and fairness. This also foreshadows the New Testament teaching that God is the ultimate giver of all good things (<a href="/james/1-17.htm">James 1:17</a>).<p><b>They are to judge the people with righteous judgment</b><br>Righteous judgment is a central theme in the Bible, reflecting God's own nature as just and fair. The judges were to embody these divine attributes, ensuring that their decisions were impartial and based on God's laws. This requirement for righteousness is echoed in other parts of Scripture, such as <a href="/micah/6-8.htm">Micah 6:8</a>, which calls for justice, mercy, and humility. The call for righteous judgment also points to the ultimate Judge, Jesus Christ, who will judge the world with perfect justice (<a href="/acts/17-31.htm">Acts 17:31</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/j/judges.htm">Judges</a></b><br>Individuals appointed to administer justice and make legal decisions for the people of Israel. Their role was crucial in maintaining order and righteousness within the community.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/o/officials.htm">Officials</a></b><br>These were likely assistants or administrators who supported the judges in their duties, ensuring that the laws were upheld and that justice was served efficiently.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/t/tribes_of_israel.htm">Tribes of Israel</a></b><br>The twelve tribes descended from the sons of Jacob, each of which was to have its own judges and officials to govern its people.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/towns.htm">Towns</a></b><br>The localities within the Promised Land where the Israelites settled. Each town was to have its own system of justice to ensure that the law was applied consistently across the nation.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_lord_your_god.htm">The LORD your God</a></b><br>The covenant name of God, Yahweh, who is the ultimate authority and lawgiver, providing the land and the laws by which the Israelites were to live.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_righteous_judgment.htm">The Importance of Righteous Judgment</a></b><br>God desires justice and righteousness in society. Appointing judges and officials is a means to ensure that His laws are upheld and that fairness prevails.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_leadership_in_justice.htm">The Role of Leadership in Justice</a></b><br>Leaders, whether in ancient Israel or today, have a responsibility to administer justice impartially. This requires wisdom, integrity, and a commitment to God's standards.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_responsibility.htm">Community Responsibility</a></b><br>Each tribe and town had a role in appointing judges, indicating that justice is a communal responsibility. Believers today are called to support and pray for just leaders.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_governance.htm">God's Sovereignty in Governance</a></b><br>The appointment of judges and officials is under God's direction, reminding us that all authority ultimately comes from Him and should reflect His character.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/a/application_to_modern_governance.htm">Application to Modern Governance</a></b><br>Christians are encouraged to engage with and support systems of justice that align with biblical principles, advocating for righteousness in their communities.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_deuteronomy_16.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Deuteronomy 16</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/bible's_view_on_jury_duty.htm">What does the Bible say about serving on a jury?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_to_reconcile_justice_with_unjust_laws.htm">Deuteronomy 16:18–20: How do we address contradictions between the pursuit of “justice, and only justice” and other biblical laws that some view as unjust?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/historical_proof_of_israel_selling_righteous.htm">(Amos 2:6–7) Are there any historical records supporting the accusation that Israel sold the righteous for silver? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'judge_not'_mean.htm">What does "Judge not lest you be judged" mean?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/deuteronomy/16.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(18) <span class= "bld">Judges and officers.</span>--A fresh section of the book, as read in the synagogues, begins with these words.<p>The land is now considered as the <span class= "ital">seat of the Kingdom of Jehovah, </span>to the end of ch. 18. See Introduction for a complete analysis, and comp. <a href="/joshua/23-2.htm" title="And Joshua called for all Israel, and for their elders, and for their heads, and for their judges, and for their officers, and said to them, I am old and stricken in age:">Joshua 23:2</a>, which shows that these magistrates were already appointed.<p><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/deuteronomy/16.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verses 18-20.</span> - Moses had at an earlier period appointed judges to settle disputes among the people, and had given instructions to them for the discharge of their duty (<a href="/exodus/18.htm">Exodus 18</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/1-12.htm">Deuteronomy 1:12-18</a>). Whilst the people were in the wilderness, united as one body and under the leadership of Moses, this arrangement was sufficient; but a more extended arrangement would be required when they came to be settled in Canaan and dispersed in towns and villages over the whole land. In prospect of this, Moses here enacts that judges and officers were to be appointed by the people in all their gates, in all their places of residence, which the Lord should give them. <span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 18.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">Judges and officers.</span> The "officers" (<span class="accented">shoterim</span>, writers) associated with the judges both in the earlier arrangements and in that which was to succeed were secretaries and clerks of court, and acted also as assessors and advisers of the judges. No instruction is given as to the number of judges and officers, or as to the mode of appointing them; nor was this necessary. The former would be determined by the size and population of the place where they were appointed, and the latter would, as a matter of course, follow the method instituted by Moses in the earlier arrangement (see <a href="/deuteronomy/1-13.htm">Deuteronomy 1:13-15</a>; <a href="/exodus/18-21.htm">Exodus 18:21-26</a>). <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">You are to appoint</span><br /><span class="heb">תִּֽתֶּן־</span> <span class="translit">(tit·ten-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">judges</span><br /><span class="heb">שֹׁפְטִ֣ים</span> <span class="translit">(šō·p̄ə·ṭîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8199.htm">Strong's 8199: </a> </span><span class="str2">To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and officials</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשֹֽׁטְרִ֗ים</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šō·ṭə·rîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7860.htm">Strong's 7860: </a> </span><span class="str2">A scribe, an official superintendent, magistrate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">for your tribes</span><br /><span class="heb">לִשְׁבָטֶ֑יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(liš·ḇā·ṭe·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-l | Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7626.htm">Strong's 7626: </a> </span><span class="str2">Rod, staff, club, scepter, tribe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">in every</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">town</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁעָרֶ֔יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(šə·‘ā·re·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8179.htm">Strong's 8179: </a> </span><span class="str2">An opening, door, gate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the LORD</span><br /><span class="heb">יְהוָ֧ה</span> <span class="translit">(Yah·weh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> </span><span class="str2">LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel</span><br /><br /><span class="word">your God</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהֶ֛יךָ</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is giving you.</span><br /><span class="heb">נֹתֵ֥ן</span> <span class="translit">(nō·ṯên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5414.htm">Strong's 5414: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, put, set</span><br /><br /><span class="word">They are to judge</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשָׁפְט֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šā·p̄ə·ṭū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8199.htm">Strong's 8199: </a> </span><span class="str2">To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the people</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">with righteous</span><br /><span class="heb">צֶֽדֶק׃</span> <span class="translit">(ṣe·ḏeq)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6664.htm">Strong's 6664: </a> </span><span class="str2">The right, equity, prosperity</span><br /><br /><span class="word">judgment.</span><br /><span class="heb">מִשְׁפַּט־</span> <span class="translit">(miš·paṭ-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4941.htm">Strong's 4941: </a> </span><span class="str2">A verdict, a sentence, formal decree, divine law, penalty, justice, privilege, style</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Deuteronomy 16:18 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Deuteronomy 16:18 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Deuteronomy 16:18 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Deuteronomy 16:18 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Deuteronomy 16:18 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Deuteronomy 16:18 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Deuteronomy 16:18 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Deuteronomy 16:18 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Deuteronomy 16:18 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Deuteronomy 16:18 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">OT Law: Deuteronomy 16:18 You shall make judges and officers (Deut. De Du)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-17.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Deuteronomy 16:17"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 16:17" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-19.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Deuteronomy 16:19"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Deuteronomy 16:19" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>