Exodus 18:25
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.
Original Language Analysis
אַנְשֵׁי
men
H582
אַנְשֵׁי
men
Strong's:
H582
Word #:
3 of 19
properly, a mortal (and thus differing from the more dignified h0120); hence, a man in general (singly or collectively)
חַ֙יִל֙
able
H2428
חַ֙יִל֙
able
Strong's:
H2428
Word #:
4 of 19
probably a force, whether of men, means or other resources; an army, wealth, virtue, valor, strength
מִכָּל
H3605
מִכָּל
Strong's:
H3605
Word #:
5 of 19
properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
out of all Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
out of all Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
6 of 19
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
וַיִּתֵּ֥ן
and made
H5414
וַיִּתֵּ֥ן
and made
Strong's:
H5414
Word #:
7 of 19
to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
אֹתָ֛ם
H853
אֹתָ֛ם
Strong's:
H853
Word #:
8 of 19
properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)
רָאשִׁ֖ים
them heads
H7218
רָאשִׁ֖ים
them heads
Strong's:
H7218
Word #:
9 of 19
the head (as most easily shaken), whether literal or figurative (in many applications, of place, time, rank, itc.)
עַל
H5921
עַל
Strong's:
H5921
Word #:
10 of 19
above, over, upon, or against (yet always in this last relation with a downward aspect) in a great variety of applications
הָעָ֑ם
over the people
H5971
הָעָ֑ם
over the people
Strong's:
H5971
Word #:
11 of 19
a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of israel); hence (collectively) troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock
אֲלָפִים֙
of thousands
H505
אֲלָפִים֙
of thousands
Strong's:
H505
Word #:
13 of 19
hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as a numeral) a thousand
מֵא֔וֹת
of hundreds
H3967
מֵא֔וֹת
of hundreds
Strong's:
H3967
Word #:
15 of 19
a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction
Cross References
Deuteronomy 1:15So 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.Exodus 18:21Moreover 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:
Historical Context
This judicial system established at Rephidim became the administrative backbone for Israel's governance. When Israel later requested judges throughout their land, the structure was already established (Deut 16:18).
Questions for Reflection
- How does hierarchical structure (thousands to tens) balance efficiency with personal care?
- What does distributing authority among tens of thousands of judges teach about shared leadership?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
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—Moses' implementation follows Jethro's qualifications precisely. The verb 'chose' (וַיִּבְחַר, vayivchar) indicates careful selection based on the criteria in verse 21. The hierarchical structure—thousands, hundreds, fifties, tens—creates manageable ratios of oversight. For 2+ million people, this required approximately 78,600 judges (assuming 600,000 men plus families). This massive delegation distributes authority while maintaining order. The 'heads over the people' (רָאשִׁים עַל־הָעָם, rashim al-ha'am) establishes clear chain of command. This organizational structure prefigures the church where elders oversee flocks (Acts 20:28, 1 Pet 5:2) and various roles distribute ministry (Rom 12:4-8).