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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 18:16 "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."</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/exodus/18-16.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/20/02_Exo_18_16.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Exodus 18:16 - Jethro Advises Moses" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><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/18-16.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/18-16.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 16</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="/ad16.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/18-15.htm" title="Exodus 18:15">◄</a> Exodus 18:16 <a href="/exodus/18-17.htm" title="Exodus 18:17">►</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">Verse<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"><a href="/niv/exodus/18.htm">New International Version</a> Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God&#8217s decrees and instructions.&#8221 <a href="/nlt/exodus/18.htm">New Living Translation</a> When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God’s decrees and give them his instructions.” <a href="/esv/exodus/18.htm">English Standard Version</a> when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws.” <a href="/bsb/exodus/18.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a> “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.” <a href="/kjv/exodus/18.htm">King James Bible</a> When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. <a href="/nkjv/exodus/18.htm">New King James Version</a> When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.” <a href="/nasb_/exodus/18.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> When they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I judge between someone and his neighbor and make known the statutes of God and His laws.” <a href="/nasb/exodus/18.htm">NASB 1995</a> &#8220When they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor and make known the statutes of God and His laws.&#8221 <a href="/nasb77/exodus/18.htm">NASB 1977 </a> “When they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and make known the statutes of God and His laws.” <a href="/lsb/exodus/18.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> When they have a matter, it comes to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor and make known the statutes of God and His laws.” <a href="/amp/exodus/18.htm">Amplified Bible</a> When they have a dispute they come to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor and I make known the statutes of God and His laws.” <a href="/csb/exodus/18.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> Whenever they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I make a decision between one man and another. I teach them God’s statutes and laws.” <a href="/hcsb/exodus/18.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> Whenever they have a dispute, it comes to me, and I make a decision between one man and another. I teach them God&#8217s statutes and laws."&#8221 <a href="/asv/exodus/18.htm">American Standard Version</a> when they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and I make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. <a href="/cev/exodus/18.htm">Contemporary English Version</a> They bring their complaints to me, and I make decisions on the basis of God's laws." <a href="/erv/exodus/18.htm">English Revised Version</a> when they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between a man and his neighbour, and I make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. <a href="/gwt/exodus/18.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> Whenever they have a disagreement and bring it to me, I decide which person is right, and I tell them God's laws and instructions." <a href="/gnt/exodus/18.htm">Good News Translation</a> When two people have a dispute, they come to me, and I decide which one of them is right, and I tell them God's commands and laws." <a href="/isv/exodus/18.htm">International Standard Version</a> When they have a dispute, it comes to me and I decide between a person and his neighbor, and make known the statutes of God and his instructions." <a href="/msb/exodus/18.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> ?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.? <a href="/net/exodus/18.htm">NET Bible</a> When they have a dispute, it comes to me and I decide between a man and his neighbor, and I make known the decrees of God and his laws." <a href="/nheb/exodus/18.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> When they have a matter, they come to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and I make them know the statutes of God, and his laws." <a href="/wbt/exodus/18.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> When they have a matter, they come to me, and I judge between one and another, and I make them know the statutes of God, and his laws. <a href="/web/exodus/18.htm">World English Bible</a> When they have a matter, they come to me, and I judge between a man and his neighbor, and I make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.” <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/exodus/18.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> when they have a matter, it has come to me, and I have judged between a man and his neighbor, and made known the statutes of God, and His laws.” <a href="/ylt/exodus/18.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> when they have a matter, it hath come unto me, and I have judged between a man and his neighbour, and made known the statutes of God, and His laws.' <a href="/slt/exodus/18.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> For when the word will be to them, they came to me, and I judged between a man and between his friend, and I made known the laws of God and his precepts.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/exodus/18.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when any controversy falleth out among them, they come to me to judge between them, and to shew the precepts of God, and his laws. <a href="/cpdv/exodus/18.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And when any kind of dispute occurs among them, they come to me to judge between them, and to reveal the precepts of God and of his laws.” <a href="/nabre/exodus/18.htm">New American Bible</a> Whenever they have a disagreement, they come to me to have me settle the matter between them and make known to them God’s statutes and instructions.” <a href="/nrsvce/exodus/18.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> When they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make known to them the statutes and instructions of God.”<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/exodus/18.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> And when they have a controversy, they come to me; and I judge between one and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws. <a href="/hpbt/exodus/18.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And when they have a matter they come to me and I judge between a man with his neighbor and I show to them the commandments of God and his laws.”<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/exodus/18.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> when they have a matter, it cometh unto me; and I judge between a man and his neighbour, and I make them know the statutes of God, and His laws.' <a href="/sep/exodus/18.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> For whenever there is a dispute among them, and they come to me, I give judgment upon each, and I teach them the ordinances of God and his law. <a href="/parallel/exodus/18-16.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/kVae3PiKqhs?start=4591" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/exodus/18.htm">Jethro Advises Moses</a> …15“Because the people come to me to inquire of God,” Moses replied. 16<a href="/hebrew/3588.htm" title="3588: kî- (Conj) -- That, for, when. ">“Whenever</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: yih·yeh (V-Qal-Imperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">they have</a> <a href="/hebrew/lā·hem (Prep:: 3mp) -- "></a> <a href="/hebrew/1697.htm" title="1697: dā·ḇār (N-ms) -- Speech, word. From dabar; a word; by implication, a matter or thing; adverbially, a cause.">a dispute,</a> <a href="/hebrew/935.htm" title="935: bā (V-Qal-Prtcpl-ms) -- To come in, come, go in, go. A primitive root; to go or come.">it is brought</a> <a href="/hebrew/413.htm" title="413: ’ê·lay (Prep:: 1cs) -- To, into, towards. ">to me</a> <a href="/hebrew/8199.htm" title="8199: wə·šā·p̄aṭ·tî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConjPerf-1cs) -- To judge, govern. ">to judge</a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: bên (Prep) -- An interval, space between. ">between</a> <a href="/hebrew/376.htm" title="376: ’îš (N-ms) -- Man. Contracted for 'enowsh; a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term.">one man</a> <a href="/hebrew/996.htm" title="996: ū·ḇên (Conj-w:: Prep) -- An interval, space between. "></a> <a href="/hebrew/7453.htm" title="7453: rê·‘ê·hū (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Friend, companion, fellow. Or reya2; from ra'ah; an associate.">and another,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3045.htm" title="3045: wə·hō·w·ḏa‘·tî (Conj-w:: V-Hifil-ConjPerf-1cs) -- A primitive root; to know; used in a great variety of senses, figuratively, literally, euphemistically and inferentially.">and I make known</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">to them</a> <a href="/hebrew/2706.htm" title="2706: ḥuq·qê (N-mpc) -- Something prescribed or owed, a statute. From chaqaq; an enactment; hence, an appointment.">the statutes</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: wə·’eṯ- (Conj-w:: DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self.">and</a> <a href="/hebrew/8451.htm" title="8451: tō·w·rō·ṯāw (N-fpc:: 3ms) -- Direction, instruction, law. Or torah; from yarah; a precept or statute, especially the Decalogue or Pentateuch.">laws</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm (Art:: N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">of God.”</a> 17But Moses’ father-in-law said to him, “What you are doing is not good.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/1-16.htm">Deuteronomy 1:16-17</a> 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.” <a href="/numbers/27-5.htm">Numbers 27:5</a> So Moses brought their case before the LORD, <a href="/2_chronicles/19-5.htm">2 Chronicles 19:5-7</a> 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.” <a href="/leviticus/24-12.htm">Leviticus 24:12</a> They placed him in custody until the will of the LORD should be made clear to them. <a href="/numbers/15-33.htm">Numbers 15:33-34</a> Those who found the man gathering wood brought him to Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation, / and because it had not been declared what should be done to him, they placed him in custody. <a href="/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Deuteronomy 17:8-11</a> If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose. / You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you a verdict in the case. / You must abide by the verdict they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you, ... <a href="/1_kings/3-9.htm">1 Kings 3:9</a> 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?” <a href="/1_corinthians/6-1.htm">1 Corinthians 6:1-6</a> 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! ... <a href="/matthew/18-15.htm">Matthew 18:15-17</a> 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. <a href="/acts/15-1.htm">Acts 15:1-2</a> Then some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” / And after engaging these men in sharp debate, Paul and Barnabas were appointed, along with some other believers, to go up to Jerusalem to see the apostles and elders about this question. <a href="/acts/15-6.htm">Acts 15:6</a> So the apostles and elders met to look into this matter. <a href="/acts/15-19.htm">Acts 15:19-20</a> It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not cause trouble for the Gentiles who are turning to God. / Instead, we should write and tell them to abstain from food polluted by idols, from sexual immorality, from the meat of strangled animals, and from blood. <a href="/1_corinthians/5-12.htm">1 Corinthians 5:12-13</a> What business of mine is it to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? / God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked man from among you.” <a href="/romans/14-1.htm">Romans 14:1</a> Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions. <a href="/james/4-12.htm">James 4:12</a> There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the One who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>When they have a matter, they come to me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.a matter<a href="/exodus/23-7.htm">Exodus 23:7</a> Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.<a href="/exodus/24-14.htm">Exodus 24:14</a> And he said unto the elders, Tarry ye here for us, until we come again unto you: and, behold, Aaron and Hur are with you: if any man have any matters to do, let him come unto them.<a href="/deuteronomy/17-8.htm">Deuteronomy 17:8-12</a> If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose; … one and another.<a href="/exodus/2-13.htm">Exodus 2:13</a> And when he went out the second day, behold, two men of the Hebrews strove together: and he said to him that did the wrong, Wherefore smitest thou thy fellow?make<a href="/leviticus/24-15.htm">Leviticus 24:15</a> And thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel, saying, Whosoever curseth his God shall bear his sin.<a href="/numbers/15-35.htm">Numbers 15:35</a> And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp.<a href="/numbers/27-6.htm">Numbers 27:6</a> And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying,<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/31-37.htm">Decide</a> <a href="/exodus/18-13.htm">Decisions</a> <a href="/exodus/17-2.htm">Dispute</a> <a href="/exodus/18-15.htm">God's</a> <a href="/exodus/13-8.htm">Inform</a> <a href="/exodus/18-14.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/genesis/30-6.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/exodus/16-28.htm">Laws</a> <a href="/exodus/8-12.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/exodus/12-4.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/exodus/12-4.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/exodus/17-1.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/1_peter/4-3.htm">Parties</a> <a href="/genesis/25-22.htm">Question</a> <a href="/exodus/15-26.htm">Statutes</a> <a href="/exodus/17-11.htm">Whenever</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Decide</a> <a href="/exodus/18-20.htm">Decisions</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Dispute</a> <a href="/exodus/24-13.htm">God's</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/17-10.htm">Inform</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Judge</a> <a href="/exodus/18-26.htm">Judged</a> <a href="/exodus/18-20.htm">Laws</a> <a href="/exodus/18-22.htm">Matter</a> <a href="/exodus/20-16.htm">Neighbor</a> <a href="/exodus/20-16.htm">Neighbour</a> <a href="/exodus/19-7.htm">Orders</a> <a href="/exodus/22-9.htm">Parties</a> <a href="/numbers/3-9.htm">Question</a> <a href="/exodus/18-20.htm">Statutes</a> <a href="/exodus/30-20.htm">Whenever</a><div class="vheading2">Exodus 18</div>1. <a href="/exodus/18-1.htm">Jethro brings his wife and two sons to Moses</a> 7. <a href="/exodus/18-7.htm">Moses entertains him, and relates the goodness of the Lord</a> 9. <a href="/exodus/18-9.htm">Jethro rejoices, blesses God, and offers sacrifice</a> 13. <a href="/exodus/18-13.htm">He gives good counsel, which is accepted</a> 27. <a href="/exodus/18-27.htm">Jethro departs</a> </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'; 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This phrase highlights the role of Moses as a judge and leader, responsible for resolving conflicts. The need for a judicial system reflects the growing complexity of the Israelite community. This system prefigures the establishment of more formal legal structures in Israel, as seen later in the books of Leviticus and Deuteronomy.it is brought to me to judge between one man and another Moses served as the primary judge for the Israelites, a role that required wisdom and discernment. This reflects the patriarchal leadership model prevalent in ancient Near Eastern cultures, where a single leader often held multiple roles, including that of judge. Moses' role as judge foreshadows the role of Christ as the ultimate judge of humanity, as seen in passages like <a href="/john/5-22.htm">John 5:22</a>.and I make known to them the statutes and laws of God This phrase underscores Moses' role as a mediator between God and the people, revealing divine laws and statutes. The statutes and laws refer to the covenantal instructions given by God, which were foundational for the community's life and worship. This anticipates the giving of the Law at Sinai and highlights the importance of divine revelation in guiding the moral and social conduct of God's people. Moses' role here is a type of Christ, who fully reveals God's will and law to humanity, as seen in <a href="/matthew/5-17.htm">Matthew 5:17-18</a>.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/m/moses.htm">Moses</a> The central figure in this passage, Moses is the leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to deliver His people from Egyptian bondage. In <a href="/exodus/18-16.htm">Exodus 18:16</a>, Moses is acting as a judge for the people, resolving disputes and teaching them God's laws. 2. <a href="/topical/j/jethro.htm">Jethro</a> Moses' father-in-law, a Midianite priest, who visits Moses and observes his leadership style. Jethro's observations and advice lead to a significant change in how Moses administers justice. 3. <a href="/topical/i/israelites.htm">Israelites</a> The people of God, recently delivered from Egypt, who are now in the wilderness. They bring their disputes to Moses for resolution. 4. <a href="/topical/w/wilderness_of_sinai.htm">Wilderness of Sinai</a> The location where the Israelites are encamped and where Jethro visits Moses. This setting is significant as it is a place of transition and learning for the Israelites. 5. <a href="/topical/g/god's_laws_and_decrees.htm">God's Laws and Decrees</a> The divine instructions given to Moses, which he uses to judge the people and teach them God's ways.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_delegation.htm">The Importance of Delegation</a> Moses' initial approach to leadership was unsustainable. Jethro's advice highlights the importance of delegation and shared responsibility in leadership roles. <a href="/topical/s/seeking_godly_wisdom.htm">Seeking Godly Wisdom</a> Moses' role as a judge required wisdom and discernment. Believers today are encouraged to seek God's wisdom in their decision-making processes. <a href="/topical/t/the_role_of_community_in_dispute_resolution.htm">The Role of Community in Dispute Resolution</a> The Israelites brought their disputes to Moses, emphasizing the role of community and leadership in resolving conflicts according to God's principles. <a href="/topical/b/balancing_leadership_and_personal_well-being.htm">Balancing Leadership and Personal Well-being</a> Jethro's concern for Moses' well-being teaches the importance of balancing leadership responsibilities with personal health and sustainability. <a href="/topical/t/teaching_and_upholding_god's_laws.htm">Teaching and Upholding God's Laws</a> Moses' task of teaching God's decrees underscores the importance of knowing and upholding biblical principles in our daily lives.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_exodus_18.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Exodus 18</a> <a href="/q/how_does_the_bible_view_lawyers.htm">What is the Bible's perspective on lawyers?</a> <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 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 href="/q/is_god_a_moral_monster_in_scripture.htm">Is God depicted as a moral monster in scripture?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/exodus/18.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 16. - I judge... and I do make them know the statutes of God. As the israelites were, up to this time, without any code of written laws, Moses took the opportunity furnished by such cases as came before him, to lay down principles of law, and enjoin them upon the people; thus making them to know the statutes of God and his eternal unwritten laws. Such a practice would not have been necessary after the giving of the law on Mount Sinai; and its existence at the time of Jethro's visit helps to fix that visit as occurring before the giving of the law. <a href="/commentaries/exodus/18-16.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>“Whenever כִּֽי־ (kî-) Conjunction <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3588.htm">Strong's 3588: </a> A relative conjunction they have יִהְיֶ֨ה (yih·yeh) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be a dispute, דָּבָר֙ (dā·ḇār) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1697.htm">Strong's 1697: </a> A word, a matter, thing, a cause it is brought בָּ֣א (bā) Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_935.htm">Strong's 935: </a> To come in, come, go in, go to me אֵלַ֔י (’ê·lay) Preposition | first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_413.htm">Strong's 413: </a> Near, with, among, to to judge וְשָׁ֣פַטְתִּ֔י (wə·šā·p̄aṭ·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8199.htm">Strong's 8199: </a> To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate between בֵּ֥ין (bên) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_996.htm">Strong's 996: </a> An interval, space between one man אִ֖ישׁ (’îš) Noun - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_376.htm">Strong's 376: </a> A man as an individual, a male person and another, רֵעֵ֑הוּ (rê·‘ê·hū) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_7453.htm">Strong's 7453: </a> Friend, companion, fellow and I make known וְהוֹדַעְתִּ֛י (wə·hō·w·ḏa‘·tî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Conjunctive perfect - first person common singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3045.htm">Strong's 3045: </a> To know to them אֶת־ (’eṯ-) Direct object marker <a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> Untranslatable mark of the accusative case the statutes חֻקֵּ֥י (ḥuq·qê) Noun - masculine plural construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2706.htm">Strong's 2706: </a> Something prescribed or owed, a statute and וְאֶת־ (wə·’eṯ-) Conjunctive waw | Direct object marker <a href="/hebrew/strongs_853.htm">Strong's 853: </a> Untranslatable mark of the accusative case laws תּוֹרֹתָֽיו׃ (tō·w·rō·ṯāw) Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8451.htm">Strong's 8451: </a> Direction, instruction, law of God.” הָאֱלֹהִ֖ים (hā·’ĕ·lō·hîm) Article | Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/exodus/18-16.htm">Exodus 18:16 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/exodus/18-16.htm">Exodus 18:16 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/exodus/18-16.htm">Exodus 18:16 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/exodus/18-16.htm">Exodus 18:16 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/exodus/18-16.htm">Exodus 18:16 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/exodus/18-16.htm">Exodus 18:16 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/exodus/18-16.htm">Exodus 18:16 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/exodus/18-16.htm">Exodus 18:16 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/exodus/18-16.htm">Exodus 18:16 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/exodus/18-16.htm">Exodus 18:16 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/exodus/18-16.htm">OT Law: Exodus 18:16 When they have a matter they come (Exo. Ex) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/exodus/18-15.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Exodus 18:15"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Exodus 18:15" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/exodus/18-17.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Exodus 18:17"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Exodus 18:17" /></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>