Deuteronomy 1:15

Authorized King James Version

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.

Word-by-Word Analysis
#1
וָֽאֶקַּ֞ח
So I took
to take (in the widest variety of applications)
#2
אֶת
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#3
רָאשִׁ֖ים
the chief
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#4
לְשִׁבְטֵיכֶֽם׃
among your tribes
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan
#5
אֲנָשִׁ֤ים
a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term (and in such cases frequently not expressed in translation)
#6
חֲכָמִים֙
wise
wise, (i.e., intelligent, skilful or artful)
#7
וִֽידֻעִ֔ים
and known
to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially (including o
#8
וָֽאֶתֵּ֥ן
and made
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
#9
אוֹתָ֛ם
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
#10
רָאשִׁ֖ים
the chief
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
#11
עֲלֵיכֶ֑ם
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
#12
וְשָׂרֵ֣י
and captains
a head person (of any rank or class)
#13
אֲלָפִ֜ים
over thousands
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
#14
וְשָׂרֵ֣י
and captains
a head person (of any rank or class)
#15
מֵא֗וֹת
over hundreds
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
#16
וְשָׂרֵ֣י
and captains
a head person (of any rank or class)
#17
חֲמִשִּׁים֙
over fifties
fifty
#18
וְשָׂרֵ֣י
and captains
a head person (of any rank or class)
#19
עֲשָׂרֹ֔ת
over tens
ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
#20
וְשֹֽׁטְרִ֖ים
and officers
properly, a scribe, i.e., (by analogy or implication) an official superintendent or magistrate
#21
לְשִׁבְטֵיכֶֽם׃
among your tribes
a scion, i.e., (literally) a stick (for punishing, writing, fighting, ruling, walking, etc.) or (figuratively) a clan

Analysis

Within the broader context of Deuteronomy, this passage highlights salvation through declarative statements that establish theological truth. The theological weight of divine revelation connects to fundamental Christian doctrine about divine revelation, contributing to our understanding of God's nature and relationship with humanity. This verse contributes to the book's overall argument by establishing foundational concepts crucial to Deuteronomy's theological argument.

Historical Context

This passage must be understood within the political and social structures of the biblical period. The author writes to address believers seeking to understand God's will and purposes, making the emphasis on salvation particularly relevant. Historical documents from this period show cultural practices and social structures that would have been familiar to the original readers, illuminating the verse's original impact.

Questions for Reflection

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