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.
And I gave orders to your judges at that time, saying, 'Listen carefully to the disputes between your fellow Israelites, and make fair judgments between each person and their neighbor, and the foreigner who lives among you.'
Moses is instructing the judges to listen carefully and make fair decisions for everyone - both Israelites and foreigners living among them.
📚 Historical Context
In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses is delivering a farewell address to the Israelites as they stand on the brink of entering the Promised Land after their forty years of wandering in the wilderness following the Exodus from Egypt. He is recalling how he appointed judges to handle disputes fairly among the people, emphasizing impartiality even toward strangers or foreigners living in their midst, which was crucial for maintaining order in a nomadic and growing nation. This instruction underscores God's desire for a just society based on His laws.
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