John Calvin Commentary Deuteronomy 1:13

"Take you wise men, and understanding, and known, according to your tribes, and I will make them heads over you." — Deuteronomy 1:13 (ASV)

Take you wise men. From this it appears more plainly that those who were to preside in judgment were not appointed only by the will of Moses, but elected by the votes of the people. And this is the most desirable kind of liberty: that we should not be compelled to obey every person who may be tyrannically put over our heads, but a liberty which allows for election, so that no one should rule unless he is approved by us. This is further confirmed in the next verse, in which Moses recounts that he awaited the consent of the people, and that nothing was attempted which did not please them all.

Again, he does not here mention the same virtues as in Exodus 18, but only distinguishes the judges by three qualifications: namely, that they should be wise, understanding, and experienced. All of these are encompassed by one main requirement: that they should possess acuteness of intellect and prudence, confirmed by experience and practice. For neither the greatest probity nor diligence would be sufficient for the office of ruler without skill and sagacity.²⁰⁴

But the first epithet, which the Hebrews often apply in a negative sense to the crafty and deceitful, here means acute and perspicacious. The second I explain as pointing out prudent persons, endowed with sound judgment and discretion.²⁰⁵ The third may be taken either actively or passively; some therefore translate it "known" or "tried," but here the active sense is most suitable. Therefore, experience and familiarity with practical matters are required in judges, because only those who are practiced are competent for the management of such affairs.

²⁰⁴ חכמים, wise men. C. had already said in his Commentary on Exodus 1:10, that the Hebrews often used this epithet in an ill sense, but the assertion is scarcely tenable. — W

²⁰⁵ ידעים. The third characteristic can only be said to be ambiguous by such as reject the authority of the Hebrew points. The translators who admit that authority must hold this participle to be passive: and therefore our A. V. renders the clause, known among your tribes. — W