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Exodus 18:22

WorkExhaustionWisdomFellowship and the church

20 Teach them the statutes and laws, and show them the way to live and the work they must do.

21 Furthermore, select capable men from among the people—God-fearing, trustworthy men who are averse to dishonest gain. Appoint them over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens.

Have these men judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you any major issue, but all minor cases they can judge on their own, so that your load may be lightened as they share it with you.

23 If you follow this advice and God so directs you, then you will be able to endure, and all these people can go home in peace.”

24 Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.

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Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Have these men judge the people at all times. Then they can bring you any major issue, but all minor cases they can judge on their own, so that your load may be lightened as they share it with you.
KJV
And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.
WEB
Let them judge the people at all times. It shall be that every great matter they shall bring to you, but every small matter they shall judge themselves. So shall it be easier for you, and they shall share the load with you.
ASV
and let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge themselves: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear [the burden] with thee.
DARBY
that they may judge the people at all times; and it shall be [that] they shall bring to thee every great matter, and that they shall judge every small matter, and they shall lighten [the task] on thee, and they shall bear [it] with thee.
BLB
And they shall judge the people at all times. And it will be [that] every great matter they shall bring to you, and every small matter they shall judge themselves. And it will be lightened from you, and they will bear up with you.
ÅB
Og de skal skifte rett mellom folket til enhver tid; enhver stor sak skal de komme til deg med, men enhver liten sak skal de selv dømme i. Slik letter du byrden for deg selv, og de bærer den med deg.
OTB
La dem tjene som dommere for folket til enhver tid, men bring hver vanskelig sak til deg; de kan selv avgjøre de enkle sakene. Dette vil lette din byrde, for de vil dele den med deg.
B1930
Og de skal skifte rett mellem folket til enhver tid; enhver stor sak skal de komme til dig med, men enhver liten sak skal de selv dømme i. Således letter du byrden for dig selv, og de bærer den med dig.

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Numbers 11:17

    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.

    Read in context

  • Leviticus 24:11

    The son of the Israelite woman blasphemed the Name with a curse. So they brought him to Moses. (His mother’s name was Shelomith daughter of Dibri, of the tribe of Dan.)

    Read in context

  • Numbers 27:2

    the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the whole congregation, and said,

    Read in context

  • 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.

    Read in context

  • Deuteronomy 1:17–18

    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.”

    Read in context

  • Numbers 36:1

    Now the family heads of the clan of Gilead son of Machir son of Manasseh, one of the clans of Joseph, approached Moses and the leaders who were the heads of the Israelite families and addressed them,

    Read in context

  • Numbers 15:33

    Those who found the man gathering wood brought him to Moses, Aaron, and the whole congregation,

    Read in context

  • Deuteronomy 17:8–9

    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.

    Read in context