Keraia
Exodus 18

Exodus 18:13

Jethro Advises Moses · Exodus 18:13–27
Read Exodus 18

Translations

Modern
The next day Moses took his seat to judge the people, and they stood around him from morning until evening.
Traditional
And it came to pass on the morrow, that Moses sat to judge the people: and the people stood by Moses from the morning unto the evening.
Literal
And it came to pass on the next day that Moses sat to judge the people, and the people stood before Moses from the morning until the evening.
Latin
Altera autem die sedit Moyses ut judicaret populum, qui assistebat Moysi a mane usque ad vesperam.

Original

Hebrew
English
The next day Moses took his seat to judge the people, and they stood around him from morning until evening.

Notes

Exodus 18:13–16

Moses had begun to take a role similar to Pharaoh’s. He was making himself necessary for every decision the people faced.

Exodus 18:13–27

Jethro’s wise advice shows another example of God’s care and guidance. This time, God did not act through a miracle. Instead, He used practical wisdom.

Jethro taught Moses a new way to lead. He told Moses to share his authority with other capable leaders. This way of leadership is called delegation. It means giving responsibility to others.

Before this, Moses seems to have followed an Egyptian style of leadership. That system was very strict and top-down. All authority came from the pharaoh, who made decisions by his own command. No Egyptian law code from that time has been found.

Jethro suggested a different structure. By appointing leaders over groups of people, the work of Moses would become easier and more orderly.

Theme notes and profiles

Jethro (Reuel) Moses

Events

Parallels

Deuteronomy 1:9–18

People

Moses: Prophet who led Israel out of Egypt

Glossary

Book of Exodus Courts and Trials Deuteronomy, Book of Elder Jethro Judge Moses

Topics

Courts of Justice: Judges of Sat on the Judgment-Seat While Hearing Causes Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Held First by Moses Alone in the Wilderness Government: Mosaic: Administrative and Judicial System Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Justice Administered During Moses: Institutes a System of Government The Kenites: Showed Kindness to Israel in the Desert