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Exodus 18:21

Old Testament Law (Torah) ASV (1901)

What does Exodus 18:21 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
Exodus 18:21 — American Standard Version

Context — Exodus 18

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
18Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for the thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.
19Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God be with thee: be thou for the people to God-ward, and bring thou the causes unto God:
20and thou shalt teach them the statutes and the laws, and shalt show them the way wherein they must walk, and the work that they must do.
21Moreover thou shalt provide out of all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating unjust gain; and place such over them, to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens:
22and 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 themselves: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear [the burden] with thee.
23If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people also shall go to their place in peace.
24So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father-in-law, and did all that he had said.
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What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“Moreover, thou shalt provide out of all the people, etc.] Or look out f574 from among them; (see <440603>Acts 6:3), able men; or “men of power” f575; meaning not so much men of strong and robust constitutions, who, as Aben Ezra says, are able to bear labour; but men that have strength of heart, as Ben Gersom expresses it, men of spirit and courage, and are not afraid to do justice, to repress vice, and countenance virtue; or, as Maimonides says f576, have a strong heart, or courage and boldness to deliver the oppressed from the hands of the oppressor. Jarchi interprets it of rich men, of men of substance, who have no need to flatter, or play the hypocrite, and to know the faces of men: such…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Able men - The qualifications are remarkably complete, ability, piety, truthfulness, and unselfishness. From Deuteronomy 1:13, it appears that Moses left the selection of the persons to the people, an example followed by the Apostles; see Acts 6:3. Rulers of thousands ... - The numbers appear to be conventional, corresponding nearly, but not exactly, to the military, or civil divisions of the people: the largest division (1,000) is used as an equivalent of a gens under one head, Numbers 1:16; Numbers 10:4; Joshua 22:14. The word “rulers,” sometimes rendered “princes,” is general, including all ranks of officials placed in command. The same word is used regularly on Egyptian monuments of the…”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“Moreover: Deu 1:13-17; Act 6:3 able men: Exo 18:25; Deu 16:18; Kg1 3:9-12; Pro 28:2 such as: Exo 23:2-9; Gen 22:12, Gen 42:18; Sa2 23:3; Kg1 18:3, Kg1 18:12; Ch2 19:5-10; Neh 5:9, Neh 7:2; Ecc 12:13; Luk 18:2, Luk 18:4 men: Job 29:16, Job 31:13; Isa 16:5, Isa 59:4, Isa 59:14, Isa 59:15; Jer 5:1; Eze 18:8; Zac 7:9; Zac 8:16 hating: Exo 23:8; Deu 16:18, Deu 16:19; Sa1 8:3, Sa1 12:3, Sa1 12:4; Psa 26:9, Psa 26:10; Isa 33:15; Eze 22:12; Act 20:33; Ti1 3:3, Ti1 6:9-11; Pe2 2:14, Pe2 2:15 rulers of thousands: Whatever matter the decarch, or ruler over ten, could not decide, went to the pentecontarch, or ruler of fifty, and thence by degrees to the hecatontarch, or ruler over a hundred, to the…”
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Related study paths

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Sources and verification