Study Desk

These are the words Moses spoke to all Israel across the Jordan in the wilderness,^(a) in the Arabah opposite Suph,^[a] between Paran^(b) and Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth,^(c) and Di-zahab.

It is an eleven-day journey from Horeb to Kadesh-barnea by way of Mount Seir.

In the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first of the month, Moses told the Israelites everything the Lord had commanded him to say to them.

This was after he had defeated Sihon king of the Amorites, who lived in Heshbon, and Og king of Bashan, who lived in Ashtaroth, at Edrei.^(d)

Across the Jordan in the land of Moab, Moses began to explain this law, saying:

"The Lord our God spoke to us at Horeb: ‘You have stayed at this mountain long enough.

Resume your journey and go to the hill country of the Amorites and their neighbors in the Arabah, the hill country, the Judean foothills,^[b] the Negev and the sea coast—to the land of the Canaanites and to Lebanon as far as the Euphrates River.^[c]

See, I have set the land before you. Enter and take possession of the land the Lord swore to give to your fathers^(e) Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and their future descendants.'^(f)

"I said to you at that time: I can't bear the responsibility for you on my own.

The Lord your God has so multiplied you that today you are as numerous as the stars of the sky.^(g)

May Yahweh, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times more, and bless you as He promised you.

But how can I bear your troubles, burdens, and disputes by myself?

Appoint for yourselves wise, understanding, and respected men from each of your tribes, and I will make them your leaders.

"You replied to me, ‘What you propose to do is good.'

"So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and set them over you as leaders: officials for thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens, and officers for your tribes.