Exodus 18:22-27

22 They should judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you every important case but judge every minor case themselves. In this way you will lighten your load,[a] and they will bear [it] with you.
23 If you do this, and God [so] directs you, you will be able to endure, and also all these people will be able to go home satisfied."[b]
24 Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.
25 So Moses chose able men from all Israel and made them leaders over the people [as] officials of thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens.
26 They judged the people at all times; the hard cases they would bring to Moses, but every minor case they would judge themselves.
27 Then Moses said goodbye to his father-in-law, and he journeyed to his own land.

Exodus 18:22-27 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO EXODUS 18

This chapter gives an account of Jethro, Moses's father-in-law, with Zipporah his daughter, the wife of Moses, and her two sons, meeting him in the wilderness, who was kindly received by him, Ex 18:1-7 and on Moses' relating the great things God had done for Israel, Jethro expressed his joy on that account, gave praise to God, offered sacrifice, and kept a feast with the elders of Israel, Ex 18:8-12, and observing the constant and fatiguing business Moses had on his hands from morning to evening in judging the people, Ex 18:13-18, he gave him advice to appoint persons under him to receive laws and ordinances from him, he should have from God, and, according to them, judge and govern the people under them, some being rulers of thousands, others of hundreds, others of fifties, and some of tens, Ex 18:19-23, which counsel was acceptable to Moses, and he took it, Ex 18:24-26 and the chapter is concluded with their friendly parting, Ex 18:27.

Footnotes 2

  • [a]. Lit lighten from on you
  • [b]. Lit go to their place in peace
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