King James Bible
"Ye shall not respect persons in judgment; but ye shall hear the small as well as the great; ye shall not be afraid of the face of man; for the judgment is God’s: and the cause that is too hard for you, bring it unto me, and I will hear it."
Moses commands judges to exercise impartiality, treating cases based on merit rather than social status or wealth. In ancient Near Eastern societies where favoritism toward the powerful was common, this mandate establishes justice as equally accessible to all members of the covenant community. Judges must resist intimidation from influential parties because they act as God's representatives in legal matters. This theological grounding transforms judicial decisions from mere human opinion into divine stewardship, demanding courage and integrity. Moses establishes a system of judicial appeal for complex cases, acknowledging human limitations while providing a path forward. This hierarchical structure ensures that difficult matters receive appropriate wisdom while empowering lower judges to handle routine disputes.