Deuteronomy 1:16 Meaning and Explanation
“And I charged your judges at that time, saying, Hear the causes between your brethren, and judge righteously between every man and his brother, and the stranger that is with him.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Moses instructs the judges to hear disputes fairly and judge righteously between all persons, including foreign residents.
The Context of Deuteronomy 1:16
Moses's charge to judges to render righteous judgment.
What Does Deuteronomy 1:16 Mean?
Moses gives explicit instruction to judges to hear both sides of disputes ("hear the causes") and render judgment with integrity ("righteously"). The inclusion of "the stranger that is with him" extends judicial protection to non-Israelites living among them, showing that righteousness applies universally, not just within the community.
The emphatic repetition—"every man and his brother, and the stranger"—establishes that justice is not a favor granted to some but an obligation owed equally to all. Judges are not arbiters of preference but ministers of righteousness.
Deuteronomy 1:16 in the Original Language
shapat (שָׁפַט), 'judge' — to render judgment, settle disputes, govern with justice; carries authority and moral responsibility.
Frequently Asked Questions About Deuteronomy 1:16
What does Deuteronomy 1:16 mean?
Moses instructs the judges to hear disputes fairly and judge righteously between all persons, including foreign residents.
What is the context of Deuteronomy 1:16?
Moses's charge to judges to render righteous judgment.