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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Exodus 18:17 But Moses' father-in-law said to him, "What you are doing is not good.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/18-17.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/1/02_Exo_18_17.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 18:17 - Jethro Advises Moses" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="But Moses' father-in-law said to him, What you are doing is not good." /><script type="application/javascript" 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align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad17.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/exodus/18-16.htm" title="Exodus 18:16">◄</a> Exodus 18:17 <a href="/exodus/18-18.htm" title="Exodus 18:18">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/exodus/18.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/exodus/18.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />Moses&#8217 father-in-law replied, &#8220What you are doing is not good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />“This is not good!” Moses’ father-in-law exclaimed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest <i>is</i> not good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do <i>is</i> not good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Moses’ father-in-law then said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />Moses&#8217 father-in-law said to him, &#8220The thing that you are doing is not good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you are doing is not good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />“What you’re doing is not good,” Moses’s father-in-law said to him.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />What you&#8217re doing is not good,&#8221 Moses&#8217 father-in-law said to him. &#8220<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And Moses' father-in-law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Jethro replied: That isn't the best way to do it. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you're doing is not good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />Then Jethro said, "You are not doing this right. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Moses' father-in-law told him, "What you are doing is not good. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />But Moses? father-in-law said to him, ?What you are doing is not good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Moses' father-in-law said to him, "What you are doing is not good!<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />Moses' father-in-law said to him, "The thing that you do is not good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And Moses's father-in-law said to him, The thing that thou doest is not good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “The thing that you do is not good. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the father-in-law of Moses says to him, “The thing which you are doing [is] not good;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And the father-in-law of Moses saith unto him, 'The thing which thou art doing is not good;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Moses' father-in-law will say to him, The word is not good which thou doest.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But he said: The thing thou dost is not good. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />But he said, “This is not good, what you are doing.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />“What you are doing is not wise,” Moses’ father-in-law replied.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And Moses' father-in-law said to him, The thing that you are doing is not good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And his Father in Law said to Moshe, you are not doing well.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And Moses' father-in-law said unto him: 'The thing that thou doest is not good.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the father-in-law of Moses said to him, Thou dost not this thing rightly,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/18-17.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=4601" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/exodus/18.htm">Jethro Advises Moses</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">16</span>“Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me to judge between one man and another, and I make known to them the statutes and laws of God.” <span class="reftext">17</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/4872.htm" title="4872: mō·šeh (N-proper-ms) -- A great Isr. leader, prophet and lawgiver. From mashah; drawing out, i.e. Rescued; Mosheh, the Israelite lawgiver.">But Moses’</a> <a href="/hebrew/2859.htm" title="2859: ḥō·ṯên (N-msc) -- Make oneself a daughter's husband. A primitive root; to give away in marriage; hence to contract affinity by marriage.">father-in-law</a> <a href="/hebrew/559.htm" title="559: way·yō·mer (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To utter, say. A primitive root; to say.">said</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lāw (Prep:: 3ms) -- To, into, towards. ">to him,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: had·dā·ḇār (Art:: N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">“What</a> <a href="/hebrew/834.htm" title="834: ’ă·šer (Pro-r) -- Who, which, that. A primitive relative pronoun; who, which, what, that; also when, where, how, because, in order that, etc."></a> <a href="/hebrew/859.htm" title="859: ’at·tāh (Pro-2ms) -- You (masc. sing.). ">you are</a> <a href="/hebrew/6213.htm" title="6213: ‘ō·śeh (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To do, make. A primitive root; to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application.">doing</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: lō- (Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">is not</a> <a href="/hebrew/2896.htm" title="2896: ṭō·wḇ (Adj-ms) -- Pleasant, agreeable, good.">good.</a> </span><span class="reftext">18</span>Surely you and these people with you will wear yourselves out, because the task is too heavy for you. You cannot handle it alone.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/11-14.htm">Numbers 11:14-17</a></span><br />I cannot carry all these people by myself; it is too burdensome for me. / If this is how You are going to treat me, please kill me right now—if I have found favor in Your eyes—and let me not see my own wretchedness.” / Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/1-9.htm">Deuteronomy 1:9-14</a></span><br />At that time I said to you, “I cannot carry the burden for you alone. / The LORD your God has multiplied you, so that today you are as numerous as the stars in the sky. / May the LORD, the God of your fathers, increase you a thousand times over and bless you as He has promised. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/6-1.htm">Acts 6:1-4</a></span><br />In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. / So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. / Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-9.htm">1 Kings 3:9</a></span><br />Therefore give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil. For who is able to govern this great people of Yours?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/11-14.htm">Proverbs 11:14</a></span><br />For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/15-22.htm">Proverbs 15:22</a></span><br />Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/proverbs/24-6.htm">Proverbs 24:6</a></span><br />Only with sound guidance should you wage war, and victory lies in a multitude of counselors.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/12-28.htm">1 Corinthians 12:28</a></span><br />And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then workers of miracles, and those with gifts of healing, helping, administration, and various tongues.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/2-16.htm">2 Corinthians 2:16</a></span><br />To the one we are an odor that brings death, to the other a fragrance that brings life. And who is qualified for such a task?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_timothy/2-2.htm">2 Timothy 2:2</a></span><br />And the things that you have heard me say among many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be qualified to teach others as well.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/11-28.htm">Matthew 11:28-30</a></span><br />Come to Me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. / Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. / For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/12-6.htm">Romans 12:6-8</a></span><br />We have different gifts according to the grace given us. If one’s gift is prophecy, let him use it in proportion to his faith; / if it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; / if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is giving, let him give generously; if it is leading, let him lead with diligence; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_peter/4-10.htm">1 Peter 4:10-11</a></span><br />As good stewards of the manifold grace of God, each of you should use whatever gift he has received to serve one another. / If anyone speaks, he should speak as one conveying the words of God. If anyone serves, he should serve with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/ephesians/4-11.htm">Ephesians 4:11-12</a></span><br />And it was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, / to equip the saints for works of ministry and to build up the body of Christ,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-17.htm">1 Timothy 5:17</a></span><br />Elders who lead effectively are worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And Moses' father in law said to him, The thing that you do is not good.</p><p class="hdg">no reference </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/18-15.htm">Father-In-Law</a> <a href="/exodus/18-9.htm">Good</a> <a href="/exodus/18-15.htm">Law</a> <a href="/exodus/18-15.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/18-14.htm">Moses's</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/18-24.htm">Father-In-Law</a> <a href="/exodus/21-34.htm">Good</a> <a href="/exodus/18-24.htm">Law</a> <a href="/exodus/18-24.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/32-19.htm">Moses's</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 18</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/18-1.htm">Jethro brings his wife and two sons to Moses</a></span><br><span class="reftext">7. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/18-7.htm">Moses entertains him, and relates the goodness of the Lord</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/18-9.htm">Jethro rejoices, blesses God, and offers sacrifice</a></span><br><span class="reftext">13. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/18-13.htm">He gives good counsel, which is accepted</a></span><br><span class="reftext">27. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/exodus/18-27.htm">Jethro departs</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/18.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/exodus/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/exodus/18.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>But Moses’ father-in-law said to him</b><br>Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, is a significant figure in this narrative. He is a Midianite priest, which highlights the diverse cultural and religious interactions present in the biblical narrative. Jethro's advice to Moses demonstrates the importance of wisdom and counsel from others, even those outside the immediate covenant community. This interaction underscores the value of humility and the willingness to listen to others, a theme echoed in <a href="/proverbs/11-14.htm">Proverbs 11:14</a>, which emphasizes the safety found in a multitude of counselors.<p><b>What you are doing</b><br>This phrase refers to Moses' method of judging the people, which involved him personally handling all disputes and issues among the Israelites. The context here is the immense burden Moses was carrying as the sole judge for the people, which was unsustainable given the large number of Israelites. This situation illustrates the need for delegation and shared leadership, a principle that is later reflected in the New Testament church structure, where elders and deacons are appointed to share the responsibilities of ministry (<a href="/acts/6.htm">Acts 6:1-7</a>).<p><b>is not good.</b><br>Jethro's assessment that Moses' approach "is not good" is a direct and honest critique. This phrase highlights the importance of recognizing when a method or system is ineffective or harmful. It also points to the biblical principle that not all actions, even those with good intentions, are beneficial or wise. This echoes the wisdom literature, such as <a href="/ecclesiastes/4-9.htm">Ecclesiastes 4:9-10</a>, which speaks to the strength and effectiveness found in partnership and collaboration. Additionally, it foreshadows the establishment of a more organized and sustainable system of governance among the Israelites, which can be seen as a type of the orderly structure within the body of Christ, where each member has a role and function (<a href="/1_corinthians/12-12.htm">1 Corinthians 12:12-27</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a></b><br>The central figure in the Book of Exodus, chosen by God to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. At this point, he is overwhelmed by the burden of judging the people alone.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jethro.htm">Jethro</a></b><br>Moses' father-in-law, a Midianite priest, who visits Moses and offers wise counsel. His advice is pivotal in restructuring the leadership among the Israelites.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God, recently delivered from Egyptian bondage, now in the wilderness, seeking guidance and leadership from Moses.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/midian.htm">Midian</a></b><br>The region where Jethro is from, representing a place of wisdom and external counsel for Moses.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/j/judging_the_people.htm">Judging the People</a></b><br>The event where Moses is seen handling all disputes among the Israelites, leading to Jethro's intervention.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_wise_counsel.htm">The Importance of Wise Counsel</a></b><br>Jethro's intervention shows the value of seeking and heeding wise advice, especially from those who may have a different perspective.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/d/delegation_as_a_leadership_principle.htm">Delegation as a Leadership Principle</a></b><br>Moses learns the necessity of delegating responsibilities to avoid burnout and ensure effective leadership.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/h/humility_in_leadership.htm">Humility in Leadership</a></b><br>Moses demonstrates humility by accepting Jethro's advice, a crucial trait for any leader.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_shared_responsibility.htm">Community and Shared Responsibility</a></b><br>The restructuring of leadership among the Israelites emphasizes the importance of community and shared responsibility in achieving common goals.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/s/sustainability_in_ministry.htm">Sustainability in Ministry</a></b><br>The passage teaches the need for sustainable practices in ministry and leadership to prevent exhaustion and ensure long-term effectiveness.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 18</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'god_is_truth'_mean.htm">Who was Moses' father-in-law?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_on_mentoring.htm">What does the Bible say about Christian mentoring?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_the_bible_say_about_fatigue.htm">What does the Bible say about fatigue?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/how_does_deut._1_13-16_align_with_israel's_leadership.htm">Deuteronomy 1:13–16 details a system of judges set up by Moses; how does this align with other biblical accounts about Israel’s leadership structure? </a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/exodus/18.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(17) <span class= "bld">The thing that thou doest is not good</span>.--Weighty as the arguments were, they failed to convince Jethro. He brought forward counter-arguments. By continuing to act as hitherto, Moses would, in the first place, exhaust his own strength, and, secondly exhaust the patience of the people. His practice was un advisable, both on his own account and on theirs. To keep suitors waiting all day, and perhaps finally dismiss then without their turn having come, was not fair upon <span class= "ital">them.</span><p><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/18-17.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">But Moses’</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹשֶׁ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(mō·šeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4872.htm">Strong's 4872: </a> </span><span class="str2">Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver</span><br /><br /><span class="word">father-in-law</span><br /><span class="heb">חֹתֵ֥ן</span> <span class="translit">(ḥō·ṯên)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2859.htm">Strong's 2859: </a> </span><span class="str2">To give, away in marriage, to contract affinity by marriage</span><br /><br /><span class="word">said</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֹּ֛אמֶר</span> <span class="translit">(way·yō·mer)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_559.htm">Strong's 559: </a> </span><span class="str2">To utter, say</span><br /><br /><span class="word">to him,</span><br /><span class="heb">אֵלָ֑יו</span> <span class="translit">(’ê·lāw)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition | third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> </span><span class="str2">Near, with, among, to</span><br /><br /><span class="word">“What</span><br /><span class="heb">הַדָּבָ֔ר</span> <span class="translit">(had·dā·ḇār)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> </span><span class="str2">A word, a matter, thing, a cause</span><br /><br /><span class="word">you are</span><br /><span class="heb">אַתָּ֖ה</span> <span class="translit">(’at·tāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - second person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_859.htm">Strong's 859: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thou and thee, ye and you</span><br /><br /><span class="word">doing</span><br /><span class="heb">עֹשֶֽׂה׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘ō·śeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6213.htm">Strong's 6213: </a> </span><span class="str2">To do, make</span><br /><br /><span class="word">is not</span><br /><span class="heb">לֹא־</span> <span class="translit">(lō-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adverb - Negative particle<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> </span><span class="str2">Not, no</span><br /><br /><span class="word">good.</span><br /><span class="heb">טוֹב֙</span> <span class="translit">(ṭō·wḇ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_2896.htm">Strong's 2896: </a> </span><span class="str2">Pleasant, agreeable, good</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/18-17.htm">Exodus 18:17 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/18-17.htm">Exodus 18:17 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/18-17.htm">Exodus 18:17 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/18-17.htm">Exodus 18:17 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/18-17.htm">Exodus 18:17 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/18-17.htm">Exodus 18:17 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/18-17.htm">Exodus 18:17 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/18-17.htm">Exodus 18:17 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/18-17.htm">Exodus 18:17 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/18-17.htm">Exodus 18:17 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/18-17.htm">OT Law: Exodus 18:17 Moses' father-in-law said to him The thing (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/18-16.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 18:16"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 18:16" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/18-18.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 18:18"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 18:18" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>