Deuteronomy 1:13

13 Choose some wise, understanding, and experienced men from each tribe, and I will put them in charge of you.'

Deuteronomy 1:13 Meaning and Commentary

Deuteronomy 1:13

Take ye wise men, and understanding, and known among your
tribes
Not only whose persons were well known, but their characters and qualifications, for their probity and integrity, for their wisdom and prudence in the management of affairs, for their skill and knowledge in things divine and human, civil and religious, and for their capacity in judging and determining matters in difference; see ( Exodus 18:21 )

and I will make them rulers over you;
the people were allowed to choose their own officers, whom they were to bring to Moses, and present before him, to be invested with their office. A like method was taken in the choice and constitution of deacons in the Christian church, when the secular affairs of it lay too heavy upon the apostles, ( Acts 6:3 ) .

Deuteronomy 1:13 In-Context

11 May the Lord, the God of your ancestors, make you increase a thousand times more and make you prosperous, as he promised!

12 But how can I alone bear the heavy responsibility for settling your disputes?

13 Choose some wise, understanding, and experienced men from each tribe, and I will put them in charge of you.'

14 And you agreed that this was a good thing to do.

15 So I took the wise and experienced leaders you chose from your tribes, and I placed them in charge of you. Some were responsible for a thousand people, some for a hundred, some for fifty, and some for ten. I also appointed other officials throughout the tribes.