Charles Ellicott Commentary Deuteronomy 16:18

"Judges and officers shalt thou make thee in all thy gates, which Jehovah thy God giveth thee, according to thy tribes; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment." — Deuteronomy 16:18 (ASV)

Judges and officers. —A fresh section of the book, as read in the synagogues, begins with these words.

The land is now considered as the seat of the Kingdom of Jehovah, to the end of chapter 18. See the Introduction for a complete analysis, and compare Joshua 23:2, which shows that these magistrates were already appointed.