Exodus 18:25 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →Moses selects capable men to serve as judges at various hierarchical levels.
The Context of Exodus 18:25
Moses establishes a hierarchical system of judges.
What Does Exodus 18:25 Mean?
Moses implements the system immediately and systematically. He chooses 'able men'—the criteria established by Jethro for moral and practical competence.
The four-tier structure creates redundancy and oversight. Rulers of tens might oversee 10 families; rulers of fifties oversee 50 families; and so on up the ladder. This distributed authority model becomes foundational to Israel's later governance.
Exodus 18:25 in the Original Language
ish (אִישׁ), 'men' — capable persons with the strength and wisdom to govern.
Frequently Asked Questions About Exodus 18:25
What does Exodus 18:25 mean?
Moses selects capable men to serve as judges at various hierarchical levels.
What is the context of Exodus 18:25?
Moses establishes a hierarchical system of judges.