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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 18:26 And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/18-26.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/02_Exo_18_26.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 18:26 - Jethro Advises Moses" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; cts.dataset.appid=i;cts.src='https://app.protectsubrev.com/catch_rp.js?cb='+Math.random(); document.head.appendChild(cts); }) (window,document,'head','script','rc-anksrH');</script></head><body><div id="fx"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx2"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="30" scrolling="no" src="/vmenus/exodus/18-26.htm" align="left" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div><div id="blnk"></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable"><tr><td><div id="fx5"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" id="fx6"><tr><td><iframe width="100%" height="245" scrolling="no" src="/bmc/exodus/18-26.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table></div><div align="center"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" class="maintable3"><tr><td><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center" id="announce"><tr><td><div id="l1"><div id="breadcrumbs"><a href="/">Bible</a> > <a href="/exodus/">Exodus</a> > <a href="/exodus/18.htm">Chapter 18</a> > Verse 26</div><div id="anc"><iframe src="/anc.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></div><div id="anc2"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/anc2.htm" width="100%" height="27" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></div><div id="ad1"><table width="100%" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad6.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/18-25.htm" title="Exodus 18:25">◄</a> Exodus 18:26 <a href="/exodus/18-27.htm" title="Exodus 18:27">►</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 />They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/exodus/18.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />These men were always available to solve the people’s common disputes. They brought the major cases to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/exodus/18.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/exodus/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/exodus/18.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/exodus/18.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />So they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/exodus/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult matter to Moses, but they would judge every minor matter themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/exodus/18.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />They judged the people at all times; the difficult dispute they would bring to Moses, but every minor dispute they themselves would judge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/exodus/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />And they judged the people at all times; the difficult dispute they would bring to Moses, but every minor dispute they themselves would judge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/exodus/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />And they judged the people at all times; the difficult matter they would bring to Moses, but every minor matter they themselves would judge.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/exodus/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but every minor dispute they judged <i>and</i> decided themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/exodus/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They judged the people at all times; they would bring the hard cases to Moses, but they would judge every minor case themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/exodus/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />They judged the people at all times; they would bring the hard cases to Moses, but they would judge every minor case themselves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/exodus/18.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/exodus/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />They served as judges, deciding the easy cases themselves, but bringing the more difficult ones to Moses. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/exodus/18.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/exodus/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />These men were the ones who usually settled disagreements among the people. They would bring difficult cases to Moses, but they settled all minor ones themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/exodus/18.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />They served as judges for the people on a permanent basis, bringing the difficult cases to Moses but deciding the smaller disputes themselves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/exodus/18.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />They judged the people at all times; the difficult matters they brought to Moses, but every minor matter they judged. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/exodus/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/exodus/18.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />They judged the people under normal circumstances; the difficult cases they would bring to Moses, but every small case they would judge themselves. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/exodus/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />They judged the people at all times. They brought the hard causes to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/exodus/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/exodus/18.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />They judged the people at all times. They brought the hard cases to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/exodus/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />and they have judged the people at all times; they bring the hard matter to Moses, and they judge every small matter themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/exodus/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> and they have judged the people at all times; the hard matter they bring in unto Moses, and every small matter they judge themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/exodus/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And they judged the people in all time; and the hard word they brought to Moses, and every small word they will judge themselves.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/exodus/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And they judged the people at all times: and whatsoever was of greater difficulty they referred to him, and they judged the easier cases only. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/exodus/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />And they judged the people at all times. But whatever was more serious, they referred to him, and they judged easier matters only.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/exodus/18.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />They rendered decisions for the people in all routine cases. The more difficult cases they referred to Moses, but all the lesser cases they settled themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/exodus/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />And they judged the people at all times; hard cases they brought to Moses, but any minor case they decided themselves.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/exodus/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/exodus/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And they were judging the people at all times, and they were bringing difficult matters to Moshe, and they were judging little matters.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/exodus/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/exodus/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And they judged the people at all times; and every too burdensome matter they brought to Moses, but every light matter they judged themselves.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/exodus/18-26.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=4684" 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">25</span>So Moses chose capable men from all Israel and made them heads over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. <span class="reftext">26</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8199.htm" title="8199: wə·šā·p̄ə·ṭū (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-3cp) -- To judge, govern. ">And they judged</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/5971.htm" title="5971: hā·‘ām (Art:: N-ms) -- From amam; a people; specifically, a tribe; hence troops or attendants; figuratively, a flock.">the people</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: bə·ḵāl (Prep-b:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">at all</a> <a href="/hebrew/6256.htm" title="6256: ‘êṯ (N-cs) -- Time. From ad; time, especially now, when, etc.">times;</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: yə·ḇî·’ūn (V-Hifil-Imperf-3mp:: Pn) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">they would bring</a> <a href="/hebrew/7186.htm" title="7186: haq·qā·šeh (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Hard, severe. From qashah; severe.">the difficult</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.">cases</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’el- (Prep) -- To, into, towards. ">to</a> <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.">Moses,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3605.htm" title="3605: wə·ḵāl (Conj-w:: N-msc) -- The whole, all. Or kowl; from kalal; properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every.">but any</a> <a href="/hebrew/6996.htm" title="6996: haq·qā·ṭōn (Art:: Adj-ms) -- Small, young, unimportant. Or qaton; from quwt; abbreviated, i.e. Diminutive, literally or figuratively.">minor</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.">issue</a> <a href="/hebrew/8199.htm" title="8199: yiš·pū·ṭū (V-Qal-Imperf-3mp) -- To judge, govern. ">they would judge</a> <a href="/hebrew/1992.htm" title="1992: hêm (Pro-3mp) -- They. Or hemmah; masculine plural from halak; they.">themselves.</a> </span><span class="reftext">27</span>Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own land.…<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="/deuteronomy/1-15.htm">Deuteronomy 1:15-18</a></span><br />So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them as leaders over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, and as officers for your tribes. / At that time I charged your judges: “Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge fairly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident. / Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/numbers/11-16.htm">Numbers 11:16-17</a></span><br />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. / And I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put that Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/6-1.htm">Acts 6:1-7</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/3-16.htm">1 Kings 3:16-28</a></span><br />At that time two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. / One woman said, “Please, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth while she was in the house. / On the third day after I gave birth, this woman also had a baby. We were alone, with no one in the house but the two of us. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_chronicles/19-5.htm">2 Chronicles 19:5-10</a></span><br />He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. / Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment. / And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.” ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/18-15.htm">Matthew 18:15-17</a></span><br />If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. / But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ / If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/6-1.htm">1 Corinthians 6:1-6</a></span><br />If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints! / Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? / Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Deuteronomy 16:18-20</a></span><br />You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment. / Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. / Pursue justice, and justice alone, so that you may live, and you may possess the land that the LORD your God is giving you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/romans/13-1.htm">Romans 13:1-4</a></span><br />Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. ...<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/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="/luke/12-57.htm">Luke 12:57-59</a></span><br />And why don’t you judge for yourselves what is right? / Make every effort to reconcile with your adversary while you are on your way to the magistrate. Otherwise, he may drag you off to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and the officer may throw you into prison. / I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the very last penny.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_timothy/5-19.htm">1 Timothy 5:19-21</a></span><br />Do not entertain an accusation against an elder, except on the testimony of two or three witnesses. / But those who persist in sin should be rebuked in front of everyone, so that the others will stand in fear of sin. / I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to maintain these principles without bias, and to do nothing out of partiality.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/titus/1-5.htm">Titus 1:5</a></span><br />The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/james/2-1.htm">James 2:1-4</a></span><br />My brothers, as you hold out your faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, do not show favoritism. / Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in shabby clothes also comes in. / If you lavish attention on the man in fine clothes and say, “Here is a seat of honor,” but say to the poor man, “You must stand” or “Sit at my feet,” ...</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.</p><p class="hdg">at all</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/18-14.htm">Exodus 18:14,22</a></b></br> And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What <i>is</i> this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? … </p><p class="hdg">the hard causes</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/exodus/18-15.htm">Exodus 18:15,22</a></b></br> And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God: … </p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Deuteronomy 17:8</a></b></br> If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, <i>being</i> matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose;</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/3-16.htm">1 Kings 3:16-28</a></b></br> Then came there two women, <i>that were</i> harlots, unto the king, and stood before him… </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Cases</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Causes</a> <a href="/genesis/41-32.htm">Decided</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Difficult</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Dispute</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/exodus/18-16.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Minor</a> <a href="/exodus/18-25.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/15-15.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/genesis/46-28.htm">Point</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Questions</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Seasons</a> <a href="/genesis/43-34.htm">Served</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Simple</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Small</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Times</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/numbers/5-29.htm">Cases</a> <a href="/exodus/22-5.htm">Causes</a> <a href="/judges/4-5.htm">Decided</a> <a href="/leviticus/27-2.htm">Difficult</a> <a href="/exodus/21-18.htm">Dispute</a> <a href="/exodus/22-21.htm">Hard</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-15.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/exodus/20-7.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/exodus/21-6.htm">Judges</a> <a href="/exodus/22-9.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Minor</a> <a href="/exodus/18-27.htm">Moses</a> <a href="/exodus/25-18.htm">Ones</a> <a href="/leviticus/8-23.htm">Point</a> <a href="/leviticus/19-35.htm">Questions</a> <a href="/leviticus/23-2.htm">Seasons</a> <a href="/exodus/23-25.htm">Served</a> <a href="/2_kings/20-10.htm">Simple</a> <a href="/exodus/30-36.htm">Small</a> <a href="/exodus/19-17.htm">Themselves</a> <a href="/exodus/23-14.htm">Times</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>And they judged the people at all times;</b><br>This phrase indicates the establishment of a judicial system among the Israelites. The context is Jethro's advice to Moses to delegate responsibilities to capable men, which reflects an early form of organized governance. This system ensured continuous access to justice, preventing Moses from being overwhelmed. It highlights the importance of constant and fair judgment, a principle echoed in <a href="/deuteronomy/16-18.htm">Deuteronomy 16:18-20</a>, where judges are instructed to judge fairly and without partiality.<p><b>they would bring the difficult cases to Moses,</b><br>This reflects a hierarchical structure in decision-making, where complex or significant matters were escalated to Moses. It underscores Moses' role as the ultimate human authority and mediator, prefiguring Christ as the ultimate mediator between God and humanity (<a href="/1_timothy/2-5.htm">1 Timothy 2:5</a>). This system ensured that Moses could focus on matters requiring divine insight or wisdom, akin to how Christ intercedes for believers.<p><b>but any minor issue they would judge themselves.</b><br>This delegation of authority allowed for efficient governance and empowered leaders within the community. It reflects the biblical principle of stewardship and responsibility, as seen in the parable of the talents (<a href="/matthew/25-14.htm">Matthew 25:14-30</a>). By handling minor issues, these leaders maintained order and justice, fostering a sense of community and shared responsibility. This system also mirrors the New Testament church structure, where elders and deacons manage church affairs (<a href="/acts/6.htm">Acts 6:1-7</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, Moses is the leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. In this context, he is the primary judge and leader of the people.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/jethro.htm">Jethro</a></b><br>Moses' father-in-law, who advised Moses to delegate the task of judging the people to capable men to prevent burnout and inefficiency.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a></b><br>The people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and are now in the wilderness, learning to live under God's law and leadership.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/j/judges.htm">Judges</a></b><br>Appointed leaders among the Israelites who were tasked with handling minor disputes, allowing Moses to focus on more significant issues.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/w/wilderness.htm">Wilderness</a></b><br>The setting where the Israelites are journeying towards the Promised Land, a place of testing, learning, and growth in their relationship with God.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/d/delegation_and_leadership.htm">Delegation and Leadership</a></b><br>Effective leadership involves recognizing one's limitations and empowering others to share responsibilities. This prevents burnout and ensures that all matters are addressed efficiently.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_in_judgment.htm">Wisdom in Judgment</a></b><br>The appointed judges needed wisdom and discernment to handle disputes. This highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance and wisdom in decision-making.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/c/community_and_accountability.htm">Community and Accountability</a></b><br>The structure of shared leadership fosters a sense of community and accountability. It encourages participation and responsibility among all members.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/p/prioritizing_responsibilities.htm">Prioritizing Responsibilities</a></b><br>Leaders must prioritize their responsibilities, focusing on tasks that align with their calling and gifting, while entrusting others with appropriate duties.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/l/learning_from_elders.htm">Learning from Elders</a></b><br>Jethro's advice to Moses underscores the value of learning from those with more experience and wisdom, reminding us to remain teachable and open to counsel.<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/who_were_the_biblical_prophets.htm">Who were the biblical prophets?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/why_seek_advice_from_jethro_after_god.htm">Why would Moses need leadership advice from a non-Israelite (Exodus 18:13–26) after direct guidance from God elsewhere in Exodus? </a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/does_1_sam_9_15-17_conflict_with_other_texts.htm">Does 1 Samuel 9:15-17, describing God's direct revelation to Samuel about Saul, conflict with other biblical texts suggesting a more gradual or indirect selection of leaders?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/evidence_outside_bible_for_exodus_18_21-22.htm">Is there any historical or archaeological evidence outside the Bible that supports the judicial structure described in Exodus 18:21-22?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 26.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">At all seasons</span>. See the comment on verse 22. <span class="cmt_word">The hard causes they brought unto Moses</span>. It must have been left to the discretion of the judges to determine whether a cause was hard or easy, a great or a little matter. Probably only those causes which seemed "hard" to the "rulers of thousands" were brought before Moses for decision. <p> CHAPTER 18:27 <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/exodus/18-26.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">And they judged</span><br /><span class="heb">וְשָׁפְט֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(wə·šā·p̄ə·ṭū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8199.htm">Strong's 8199: </a> </span><span class="str2">To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the people</span><br /><span class="heb">הָעָ֖ם</span> <span class="translit">(hā·‘ām)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5971.htm">Strong's 5971: </a> </span><span class="str2">A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock</span><br /><br /><span class="word">at all</span><br /><span class="heb">בְּכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(bə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">times;</span><br /><span class="heb">עֵ֑ת</span> <span class="translit">(‘êṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - common singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6256.htm">Strong's 6256: </a> </span><span class="str2">Time, now, when</span><br /><br /><span class="word">they would bring</span><br /><span class="heb">יְבִיא֣וּן</span> <span class="translit">(yə·ḇî·’ūn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> </span><span class="str2">To come in, come, go in, go</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the difficult</span><br /><span class="heb">הַקָּשֶׁה֙</span> <span class="translit">(haq·qā·šeh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7186.htm">Strong's 7186: </a> </span><span class="str2">Hard, severe</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cases</span><br /><span class="heb">הַדָּבָ֤ר</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">to</span><br /><span class="heb">אֶל־</span> <span class="translit">(’el-)</span><br /><span class="parse">Preposition<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">Moses,</span><br /><span class="heb">מֹשֶׁ֔ה</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">but any</span><br /><span class="heb">וְכָל־</span> <span class="translit">(wə·ḵāl)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_3605.htm">Strong's 3605: </a> </span><span class="str2">The whole, all, any, every</span><br /><br /><span class="word">minor</span><br /><span class="heb">הַקָּטֹ֖ן</span> <span class="translit">(haq·qā·ṭōn)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6996.htm">Strong's 6996: </a> </span><span class="str2">Small, young, unimportant</span><br /><br /><span class="word">issue</span><br /><span class="heb">הַדָּבָ֥ר</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">they would judge</span><br /><span class="heb">יִשְׁפּוּט֥וּ</span> <span class="translit">(yiš·pū·ṭū)</span><br /><span class="parse">Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8199.htm">Strong's 8199: </a> </span><span class="str2">To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate</span><br /><br /><span class="word">themselves.</span><br /><span class="heb">הֵֽם׃</span> <span class="translit">(hêm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Pronoun - third person masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1992.htm">Strong's 1992: </a> </span><span class="str2">They</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/18-26.htm">Exodus 18:26 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/exodus/18-26.htm">Exodus 18:26 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/exodus/18-26.htm">Exodus 18:26 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/exodus/18-26.htm">Exodus 18:26 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/exodus/18-26.htm">Exodus 18:26 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/18-26.htm">Exodus 18:26 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/18-26.htm">Exodus 18:26 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/18-26.htm">Exodus 18:26 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/18-26.htm">Exodus 18:26 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/exodus/18-26.htm">Exodus 18:26 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/exodus/18-26.htm">OT Law: Exodus 18:26 They judged the people at all times (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/18-25.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 18:25"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 18:25" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/18-27.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 18:27"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 18:27" /></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>