Exodus 18:26

Verse

And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves.

American Standard Version (1901)

And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

Bible in Basic English

And they were judges in the causes of the people at all times: the hard questions they put before Moses; but on every small point they gave decisions themselves.

Douay-Rheims 1899

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.

Free Bible Version

They acted as judges for the people on a continuing basis. They brought the difficult cases to Moses, but they would judge the small matters themselves.

Geneva Bible 1599

And they iudged the people at all seasons, but they brought the hard causes vnto Moses: for they iudged all small matters themselues.

King James (Authorized) Version

And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

One Unity Resource Bible

They judged the people at all times. They brought the hard causes to Moses [Drawn out], but every small matter they judged themselves.

Translation for Translators

They were appointed permanently to make decisions about the people’s disputes. They brought the difficult cases to Moses/me, but they decided the matters that were not difficult by themselves.

Unlocked Literal Bible

They judged the people in normal circumstances. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but they themselves judged all the small cases.

Noah Webster Bible

And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

World English Bible

They judged the people at all times. They brought the hard cases to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

Young's Literal Translation

and they have judged the people at all times; the hard matter they bring in unto Moses, and every small matter they judge themselves.

Context

Jethro Advises Moses

²⁵So 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.²⁶And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves.

Summary

In Exodus 18:26, Jethro advises Moses to appoint capable leaders to help him judge the people and handle disputes. This delegation of responsibilities not only lightens Moses' load but also ensures that justice is administered efficiently. The verse highlights the importance of wise leadership, teamwork, and delegation in managing the affairs of a community. It serves as a practical lesson on effective governance and the value of shared decision-making in maintaining order and harmony among God's people.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

And Moses let his father in law depart,.... After he had been with him some time, and desired leave to go into his own country, which was granted; or he "dismissed" (y) him in an honourable way: and as he went out to meet him when he came, if he did not attend him, when he went, some way in person, yet sent a guard along with him, both for honour and for safety: and he went his way into his own land; the land of Midian: the Targum of Jonathan,"he went to proselyte all the children of his own country;''or, as Jarchi expresses it, the children of his family; and it is plain that the Kenites and Rechabites descended from him, who in later times lived among the Jews, and were proselytes to their religion, Jdg 1:16. (y) "et dimisit", V. L. Tigurine version, Montanus, Vatablus, Drusius, Piscator. Next: Exodus Chapter 19

Exodus 18:26

Jethro Advises Moses

Scripture
Sermons
Commentary

Berean Standard Bible

And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves.

American Standard Version (1901)

And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

Bible in Basic English

And they were judges in the causes of the people at all times: the hard questions they put before Moses; but on every small point they gave decisions themselves.

Douay-Rheims 1899

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.

Free Bible Version

They acted as judges for the people on a continuing basis. They brought the difficult cases to Moses, but they would judge the small matters themselves.

Geneva Bible 1599

And they iudged the people at all seasons, but they brought the hard causes vnto Moses: for they iudged all small matters themselues.

King James (Authorized) Version

And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

One Unity Resource Bible

They judged the people at all times. They brought the hard causes to Moses [Drawn out], but every small matter they judged themselves.

Translation for Translators

They were appointed permanently to make decisions about the people’s disputes. They brought the difficult cases to Moses/me, but they decided the matters that were not difficult by themselves.

Unlocked Literal Bible

They judged the people in normal circumstances. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but they themselves judged all the small cases.

Noah Webster Bible

And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

World English Bible

They judged the people at all times. They brought the hard cases to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

Young's Literal Translation

and they have judged the people at all times; the hard matter they bring in unto Moses, and every small matter they judge themselves.