Deuteronomy 1:13

“Take ye wise men, and understanding, and known among your tribes, etc.] Not only whose persons were well known, but their characters and qualifications, for their probity and integrity, for their wisdom and prudence in the management of affairs, for their skill and knowledge in things divine and human, civil and religious, and for their capacity in judging and determining matters in difference; (see <021821>Exodus 18:21) and I will make them rulers over you; the people were allowed to choose their own officers, whom they were to bring to Moses, and present before him, to be invested with their office. A like method was taken in the choice and constitution of deacons in the Christian church,…”

“This appointment of the “captains” (compare Exodus 18:21 ff) must not be confounded with that of the elders in Numbers 11:16 ff. The former would number 78,600; the latter were 70 only. A comparison between this passage and that in Exodus makes it obvious that Moses is only touching on certain parts of the whole history, without regard to order of time, but with a special purpose. This important arrangement for the good government of the people took place before they left Horeb to march direct to the promised land. This fact sets more clearly before us the perverseness and ingratitude of the people, to which the orator next passes; and shows, what he was anxious to impress, that the fault of…”

“1:13 Those who were well-respected had lives and reputations that were above reproach, even on close scrutiny.”

“Take: Heb. Give, Exo 18:21; Num 11:16, Num 11:17; Act 1:21-23, Act 6:2-6 Deuteronomy 1:15”