Exodus 18:25
New International Version
He chose capable men from all Israel and made them leaders of the people, officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.

New Living Translation
He chose capable men from all over Israel and appointed them as leaders over the people. He put them in charge of groups of one thousand, one hundred, fifty, and ten.

English Standard Version
Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

Berean Standard Bible
So Moses chose capable men from all Israel and made them heads over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

King James Bible
And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

New King James Version
And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people: rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

New American Standard Bible
Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

NASB 1995
Moses chose able men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens.

NASB 1977
And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens.

Legacy Standard Bible
And Moses chose excellent men out of all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

Amplified Bible
Moses chose able men from all Israel and made them heads over the people, leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens [from the highest to the lowest judicial levels].

Christian Standard Bible
So Moses chose able men from all Israel and made them leaders over the people as commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So Moses chose able men from all Israel and made them leaders over the people as commanders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

American Standard Version
And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

Contemporary English Version
He chose some competent leaders from every tribe in Israel and put them over groups of 10, 50, 100, and 1,000.

English Revised Version
And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Moses chose capable men from all the Israelites and put them in charge of groups of 1,000, or 100, or 50, or 10 people.

Good News Translation
and chose capable men from among all the Israelites. He appointed them as leaders of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

International Standard Version
Moses chose capable men from all Israel and appointed them as heads over the people, as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

Majority Standard Bible
So Moses chose capable men from all Israel and made them heads over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

NET Bible
Moses chose capable men from all Israel, and he made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

New Heart English Bible
Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

World English Bible
Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and Moses chooses men of ability out of all Israel, and makes them chiefs over the people [for] heads of thousands, heads of hundreds, heads of fifties, and heads of tens,

Young's Literal Translation
and Moses chooseth men of ability out of all Israel, and maketh them chiefs over the people, heads of thousands, heads of hundreds, heads of fifties, and heads of tens,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Moses will choose men of ability from all Israel, and he will give them heads over the people, chiefs of thousands, chiefs of hundreds, chiefs of fifties, chiefs of ten.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And choosing able men out of all Israel, he appointed them rulers of the people, rulers over thousands, and over hundreds, and over fifties, and over tens.

Catholic Public Domain Version
And choosing virtuous men from all of Israel, he appointed them as leaders of the people: tribunes, and leaders of hundreds, and of fifties, and of tens.

New American Bible
He picked out able men from all Israel and put them in charge of the people as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

New Revised Standard Version
Moses chose able men from all Israel and appointed them as heads over the people, as officers over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and appointed them officers over the people, officers of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Moshe chose men of power from all Israel and he set them up as Chiefs over the people, Chiefs of thousands and Chiefs of hundreds and Chiefs of fifties and Chiefs of tens.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Moses chose out able men out of all Israel, and he made them captains of thousands and captains of hundreds, and captains of fifties and captains of tens over the people.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Jethro Advises Moses
24Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said. 25So Moses chose capable men from all Israel and made them heads over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 26And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves.…

Cross References
Deuteronomy 1:15
So 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.

Numbers 11:16-17
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you. / And I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put that Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself.

Acts 6:3
Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them

1 Timothy 3:1-13
This is a trustworthy saying: If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble task. / An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, / not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money. ...

2 Chronicles 19:5-7
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.”

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.

1 Samuel 8:1-5
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. ...

1 Kings 4:7
Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel to provide food for the king and his household. Each one would arrange provisions for one month of the year,

Titus 1:5-9
The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. / An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination. / As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-willed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money. ...

Acts 14:23
Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church, praying and fasting as they entrusted them to the Lord, in whom they had believed.

1 Peter 5:1-3
As a fellow elder, a witness of Christ’s sufferings, and a partaker of the glory to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: / Be shepherds of God’s flock that is among you, watching over them not out of compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not out of greed, but out of eagerness; / not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.

Romans 13:1-4
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. ...

1 Corinthians 12:28
And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.

Ephesians 4:11-12
And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, / to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to them, for they watch over your souls as those who must give an account. To this end, allow them to lead with joy and not with grief, for that would be of no advantage to you.


Treasury of Scripture

And Moses chose able men out of all Israel, and made them heads over the people, rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

Exodus 18:21
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:

Deuteronomy 1:15
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.

Acts 6:5
And the saying pleased the whole multitude: and they chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, and Philip, and Prochorus, and Nicanor, and Timon, and Parmenas, and Nicolas a proselyte of Antioch:

Jump to Previous
Ability Able Capable Captains Chiefs Chooseth Chose Fifties Heads Hundreds Israel Leaders Moses Officials Rulers Selection Tens Thousands
Jump to Next
Ability Able Capable Captains Chiefs Chooseth Chose Fifties Heads Hundreds Israel Leaders Moses Officials Rulers Selection Tens Thousands
Exodus 18
1. Jethro brings his wife and two sons to Moses
7. Moses entertains him, and relates the goodness of the Lord
9. Jethro rejoices, blesses God, and offers sacrifice
13. He gives good counsel, which is accepted
27. Jethro departs














So Moses chose capable men from all Israel
Moses, acting on the advice of his father-in-law Jethro, selects men who are competent and trustworthy to assist in governing the people. This reflects the importance of delegation and shared leadership, a principle seen throughout Scripture. The selection of leaders from "all Israel" emphasizes the inclusive nature of leadership, ensuring representation from the entire community. This mirrors the New Testament practice of appointing elders and deacons in the early church (Acts 6:3).

and made them heads over the people
These chosen men were given authority and responsibility, serving as judges and leaders. This structure helped maintain order and justice among the Israelites. The term "heads" indicates a position of authority, similar to the role of elders in the church (1 Timothy 5:17). This system of governance foreshadows the organizational structure seen in the church and even in modern governments.

as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens
The hierarchical structure established by Moses allowed for efficient management and decision-making. This tiered system ensured that issues could be resolved at the appropriate level, with only the most difficult cases reaching Moses. This method of organization is echoed in the New Testament, where the apostles delegate responsibilities to others (Acts 6:1-7). The division into thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens reflects a practical approach to leadership and administration, ensuring that leaders were accessible to the people they served.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Moses
The central figure in this passage, Moses is the leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egypt. Here, he is implementing a system of governance based on advice from his father-in-law, Jethro.

2. Able Men
These are the individuals selected by Moses to serve as leaders. They are characterized by their capability and integrity, chosen to help manage the affairs of the people.

3. Israel
The nation of God's chosen people, who are in the wilderness journeying towards the Promised Land. This event takes place during their exodus from Egypt.

4. Jethro
Moses' father-in-law, who advised Moses to delegate responsibilities to prevent burnout and ensure effective leadership.

5. Leadership Structure
The system of governance established by Moses, which includes leaders over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, creating a hierarchical structure for managing the people.
Teaching Points
Delegation and Leadership
Effective leadership often requires delegation. Moses' decision to appoint leaders over various groups demonstrates the importance of sharing responsibilities to maintain order and efficiency.

Qualifications for Leadership
The selection of "able men" highlights the need for leaders to possess integrity, wisdom, and capability. This principle is applicable in both spiritual and secular contexts today.

Preventing Burnout
Jethro's advice to Moses underscores the importance of self-care and sustainable leadership practices. Leaders should seek support and share burdens to avoid exhaustion.

Community and Order
The structured leadership model reflects God's desire for order within His community. This order facilitates justice, peace, and effective governance among His people.

Biblical Model for Church Leadership
The passage provides a biblical precedent for church governance, emphasizing the need for a structured approach to leadership that allows for spiritual growth and effective ministry.Verse 25. - Moses chose able men. It appears from Deuteronomy 1:13, that instead of selecting the men himself, which would have been an invidious task, Moses directed their nomination by the people, and only reserved to himself the investing them wit h their authority. Heads over the people. From the time of their appointment, the "rulers" were not merely judges, but "heads" of their respective companies, with authority over them on the march, and command in the battle-field (Numbers 31:14). Thus the organisation was at once civil and military.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Moses
מֹשֶׁ֤ה (mō·šeh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver

chose
וַיִּבְחַ֨ר (way·yiḇ·ḥar)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 977: To try, select

capable
חַ֙יִל֙ (ḥa·yil)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2428: A force, an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength

men
אַנְשֵׁי־ (’an·šê-)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 582: Man, mankind

from all
מִכָּל־ (mik·kāl)
Preposition-m | Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

Israel
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל (yiś·rā·’êl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3478: Israel -- 'God strives', another name of Jacob and his desc

and made
וַיִּתֵּ֥ן (way·yit·tên)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

them heads
רָאשִׁ֖ים (rā·šîm)
Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 7218: The head

over
עַל־ (‘al-)
Preposition
Strong's 5921: Above, over, upon, against

the people
הָעָ֑ם (hā·‘ām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock

as leaders
שָׂרֵ֤י (śā·rê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 8269: Chieftain, chief, ruler, official, captain, prince

of thousands,
אֲלָפִים֙ (’ă·lā·p̄îm)
Number - masculine plural
Strong's 505: A thousand

of hundreds,
מֵא֔וֹת (mê·’ō·wṯ)
Number - feminine plural
Strong's 3967: A hundred

of fifties,
חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים (ḥă·miš·šîm)
Number - common plural
Strong's 2572: Fifty

and of tens.
עֲשָׂרֹֽת׃ (‘ă·śā·rōṯ)
Number - masculine plural
Strong's 6235: Ten


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OT Law: Exodus 18:25 Moses chose able men out of all (Exo. Ex)
Exodus 18:24
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