Deuteronomy 1:13 — People Chose, Moses Appointed: Is There a Contradiction with Exodus 18?

Did Moses choose Israel’s judges, or did the people?

Deuteronomy 1 tells the Israelites to choose qualified men from their tribes, while Exodus 18 says that Moses chose able men and appointed them as leaders. At first glance, it looks like a contradiction.

But when we read Deuteronomy 1:13–15 carefully, we get a fuller picture: the people selected the men, and Moses formally appointed them. Both passages can therefore describe different parts of the same process.

In Episode 291, we examine the qualifications given for these leaders, compare the process with the selection and appointment of the seven in Acts 6, and consider how critical scholars understand the differences between Exodus 18 and Deuteronomy 1.

So, is this a contradiction—or simply two passages emphasizing different parts of the same event?

Join me as we take a closer look at Deuteronomy 1:13 and see how the apparent difficulty can be resolved.

References to items discussed and/or used on this podcast may be found at the following:

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The Bible Difficulties and Answers Website

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Email Address: bibledifficultiesandanswers@gmail.com

Geisler, Norman L., and Thomas Howe. The Big Book of Bible Difficulties. Baker Books, 1992. Available at: https://a.co/d/7shn4hI