Exodus 18:21

KJV1611 – Modern English

Moreover, you shall select from all the people able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness; and place them over them to be rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

📖 Grammatical Analysis

Original Text

וְאַתָּ֣ה תֶחֱזֶ֣ה מִכָּל־הָ֠עָם אַנְשֵׁי־חַ֜יִל יִרְאֵ֧י אֱלֹהִ֛ים אַנְשֵׁ֥י אֱמֶ֖ת שֹׂ֣נְאֵי בָ֑צַע וְשַׂמְתָּ֣ עֲלֵהֶ֗ם שָׂרֵ֤י אֲלָפִים֙ שָׂרֵ֣י מֵא֔וֹת שָׂרֵ֥י חֲמִשִּׁ֖ים וְשָׂרֵ֥י עֲשָׂרֹֽת׃

Transliteration

And-you teḥĕzeh from-all-hāʿām ʾanšê-ḥayil yirʾê ʾĕlōhîm ʾanšê ʾĕmet śōnəʾê bāṣaʿ wə-śamtā over-them śārê ʾălāpîm śārê mēʾôt śārê ḥămiššîm and-śārê ʿăśārōt

Grammar Details

• *teḥĕzeh*: imperfect, 2nd masculine singular - you shall select/see
• *hāʿām*: article with noun, masculine singular - the people
• *ʾanšê*-*ḥayil*: noun, masculine plural construct with noun - men of ability
• *yirʾê*: adjective, masculine plural construct - fearers of
• *ʾĕlōhîm*: noun, masculine plural - God
• *ʾanšê*: noun, masculine plural construct - men of
• *ʾĕmet*: noun, feminine singular - truth
• *śōnəʾê*: participle, masculine plural construct - haters of
• *bāṣaʿ*: noun, masculine singular - unjust gain
• *wə*-*śamtā*: conjunction with perfect, 2nd masculine singular - and you shall set
• *śārê*: noun, masculine plural construct - rulers of
• *ʾălāpîm*: noun, masculine plural - thousands
• *mēʾôt*: noun, feminine plural - hundreds
• *ḥămiššîm*: numeral, common plural - fifties
• *ʿăśārōt*: noun, feminine plural - tens

Word Meanings

• *teḥĕzeh*: select/provide/look out/see
• *ʾanšê*-*ḥayil*: men of ability/capable men/men of valor
• *bāṣaʿ*: unjust gain/dishonest profit/covetousness

Other Translations

• Linguistic Bible Translation from Source Texts

  But select capable men from among all the people—men who fear God, are trustworthy, and hate dishonest gain. Appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.

• King James Version 1769 (Standard Version)

  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:

• American Standard Version with Strong's Numbers

  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:

• King James Version with Strong's Numbers

  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:

• Tyndale Bible (1526/1534)

  Morouer seke out amonge all the people, men of actiuite which feare God and men that are true ad hate covetuousnes: and make them heedes ouer the people, captaynes ouer thousandes, ouer hundredes, ouer fyftie, and ouer ten.

• Coverdale Bible (1535)

  But loke out amonge all the people, for honest men, that feare God, soch as are true, & hate couetousnes: make these rulers ouer them, some ouer thousandes, ouer hundredes, ouer fiftie, and ouer ten,

• Geneva Bible (1560)

  Moreouer, prouide thou among al the people men of courage, fearing God, men dealing truely, hating couetousnesse: and appoynt such ouer them to be rulers ouer thousandes, rulers ouer hundreths, rulers ouer fifties, and rulers ouer tennes.

• Bishops' Bible (1568)

  Moreouer, thou shalt seeke out among all the people, men of actiuitie and such as feare God, true men hating couetousnes, and place of these ouer the people rulers of thousandes, rulers of hundrethes, rulers of fiftithes, and rulers of tennes,

• Authorized King James Version (1611)

  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:

• Webster's Bible (1833)

  Moreover you shall 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.

• Young's Literal Translation (1862/1898)

  `And thou -- thou dost provide out of all the people men of ability, fearing God, men of truth, hating dishonest gain, and hast placed `these' over them, heads of thousands, heads of hundreds, heads of fifties, and heads of tens,

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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:

• American Standard Version (1901)

  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:

• Bible in Basic English (1941)

  But for the rest, take from among the people able men, such as have the fear of God, true men hating profits wrongly made; and put such men over them, to be captains of thousands, captains of hundreds and of fifties and of tens;

• World English Bible (2000)

  Moreover you shall 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.

• NET Bible® (New English Translation)

  But you choose from the people capable men, God-fearing, men of truth, those who hate bribes, and put them over the people as rulers of thousands, rulers of hundreds, rulers of fifties, and rulers of tens.

Referenced Verses

• Acts 6:3 : 3 Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men of good reputation, full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this duty.
• 2 Chr 19:5-9 : 5 And he appointed judges in the land throughout all the fortified cities of Judah, city by city, 6 And said to the judges, Take heed what you do, for you judge not for man but for the LORD, who is with you in the judgment. 7 Therefore now let the fear of the LORD be upon you; take heed and do it, for there is no iniquity with the LORD our God, nor respect of persons, nor taking of gifts. 8 Moreover, in Jerusalem, Jehoshaphat appointed some of the Levites, and of the priests, and of the chief of the fathers of Israel, for the judgment of the LORD and for controversies, when they returned to Jerusalem. 9 And he charged them, saying, This you shall do in the fear of the LORD, faithfully, and with a perfect heart. 10 And whatever cause shall come to you from your brethren that dwell in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and judgments, you shall even warn them that they do not trespass against the LORD, and so wrath come upon you and upon your brethren: this do, and you shall not trespass.
• Deut 16:18-19 : 18 Judges and officers you shall make for yourself in all your gates, which the LORD your God gives you, throughout your tribes: and they shall judge the people with just judgment. 19 You shall not pervert justice; you shall not show partiality, nor take a bribe: for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise, and perverts the words of the righteous.
• Gen 42:18 : 18 And Joseph said to them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:
• Exod 18:25 : 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.
• 2 Sam 23:3 : 3 The God of Israel said, the Rock of Israel spoke to me, He who rules over men must be just, ruling in the fear of God.
• Ezek 18:8 : 8 He that has not given out loans with interest, nor taken any increase, that has withdrawn his hand from iniquity, has executed true judgment between man and man,
• Ezek 22:12 : 12 In you they have taken bribes to shed blood; you have taken usury and increase, and you have greedily gained from your neighbors by extortion, and have forgotten Me, says the Lord GOD.
• Zech 7:9 : 9 Thus says the LORD of hosts, saying, Execute true judgment, and show mercy and compassion every man to his brother:
• Zech 8:16 : 16 These are the things that you shall do; Speak every man the truth to his neighbor; execute the judgment of truth and peace in your gates:
• Luke 18:2 : 2 Saying, There was in a city a judge who did not fear God, nor regard man:
• Luke 18:4 : 4 And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I do not fear God, nor regard man;
• 1 Kgs 3:9-9 : 9 Therefore give your servant an understanding heart to judge your people, that I may discern between good and evil: for who is able to judge this your great people? 10 And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. 11 And God said to him, Because you have asked this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked riches for yourself, nor have asked the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern judgment; 12 Behold, I have done according to your words: lo, I have given you a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like you before you, nor shall any arise like unto you.
• 1 Kgs 18:3 : 3 And Ahab called Obadiah, who was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the LORD greatly:
• 1 Kgs 18:12 : 12 And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from you, that the Spirit of the LORD shall carry you where I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find you, he shall slay me: but I your servant have feared the LORD from my youth.
• Acts 20:33 : 33 I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel.
• 1 Tim 3:3 : 3 Not given to wine, not a striker, not greedy for dishonest gain; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous;
• 1 Tim 6:9-9 : 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil: which while some coveted after, they have strayed from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 11 But you, O man of God, flee these things; and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.
• 2 Pet 2:14-15 : 14 Having eyes full of adultery and unable to cease from sin, enticing unstable souls. They have a heart trained in covetous practices and are accursed children. 15 They have forsaken the right way and gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Beor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness;
• Gen 22:12 : 12 And he said, Do not lay your hand upon the boy, nor do anything to him: for now I know that you fear God, seeing you have not withheld your son, your only son from me.
• Exod 23:2-9 : 2 You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to pervert justice by following the majority. 3 Nor shall you show favoritism to a poor man in his dispute. 4 If you encounter your enemy’s ox or donkey wandering away, you shall surely return it to him. 5 If you see the donkey of someone who hates you lying under its burden and you would refrain from helping it, you shall surely help him with it. 6 You shall not pervert the justice due to your poor in his dispute. 7 Keep far from a false matter, and do not kill the innocent and righteous, for I will not acquit the wicked. 8 And you shall take no bribe, for a bribe blinds the discerning and perverts the words of the righteous. 9 Also you shall not oppress a stranger, for you know the heart of a stranger, because you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
• Num 10:4 : 4 And if they blow with one trumpet, then the princes, the leaders of the thousands of Israel, shall gather to you.
• Deut 1:13-17 : 13 Choose wise, understanding, and knowledgeable men among your tribes, and I will make them leaders over you. 14 And you answered me and said, The thing which you have spoken is good for us to do. 15 So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and known men, and made them leaders over you, captains over thousands, captains over hundreds, captains over fifties, and captains over tens, and officers among your tribes. 16 And I commanded your judges at that time, saying, Hear the cases between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger who is with him. 17 You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small as well as the great; you shall not be afraid of anyone, for the judgment is God's. The case that is too difficult for you, bring to me, and I will hear it.
• Josh 22:14 : 14 And with him ten leaders, one chief leader from each house throughout all the tribes of Israel; and each one was head of the house of their fathers among the thousands of Israel.
• 1 Sam 8:3 : 3 But his sons did not walk in his ways, but turned aside after dishonest gain, and took bribes, and perverted justice.
• 1 Sam 8:12 : 12 And he will appoint captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to plow his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his weapons of war, and equipment for his chariots.
• 1 Sam 12:3-4 : 3 Behold, here I am: witness against me before the LORD, and before his anointed: whose ox have I taken? or whose donkey have I taken? or whom have I defrauded? whom have I oppressed? or from whose hand have I received any bribe to blind my eyes with it? and I will restore it to you. 4 And they said, You have not defrauded us, nor oppressed us, neither have you taken anything from any man's hand.
• Neh 5:9 : 9 Also I said, What you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the nations, our enemies?
• Neh 7:2 : 2 That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man and feared God above many.
• Job 29:16 : 16 I was a father to the poor, and I searched out the case I did not know.
• Job 31:13 : 13 If I have despised the cause of my manservant or my maidservant, when they contended with me;
• Ps 15:5 : 5 He who does not put out his money at usury, nor take a bribe against the innocent. He who does these things shall never be moved.
• Ps 26:9-9 : 9 Do not gather my soul with sinners, nor my life with bloodthirsty men, 10 in whose hands is mischief, and their right hand is full of bribes.
• Prov 28:2 : 2 For the transgression of a land, many are its princes; but by a person of understanding and knowledge, its state will be prolonged.
• Eccl 12:13 : 13 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep His commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
• Isa 16:5 : 5 And in mercy shall the throne be established: and he shall sit on it in truth in the tabernacle of David, judging, and seeking judgment, and hastening righteousness.
• Isa 33:15 : 15 He who walks righteously, and speaks uprightly; he who despises the gain of oppressions, who shakes his hands from holding bribes, who stops his ears from hearing of bloodshed, and shuts his eyes from seeing evil;
• Isa 59:4 : 4 No one calls for justice, nor does anyone plead for truth: they trust in vanity and speak lies; they conceive mischief and bring forth iniquity.
• Isa 59:14-15 : 14 And judgment is turned backward, and justice stands far off: for truth has fallen in the street, and equity cannot enter. 15 Yes, truth fails; and he who departs from evil makes himself a prey: and the Lord saw it, and it displeased him that there was no judgment.
• Jer 5:1 : 1 Run to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places thereof, if you can find a man, if there is anyone who executes judgment, who seeks the truth; and I will pardon it.