Keraia
Exodus 18

Exodus 18:26

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

Translations

Modern
And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves.
Traditional
And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.
Literal
And they judged the people at all times; the hard matter they would bring to Moses, and every small matter they would judge themselves.
Latin
Qui judicabant plebem omni tempore: quidquid autem gravius erat, referebant ad eum, faciliora tantummodo judicantes.

Original

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

Notes

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 Spirit Empowerment

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 Jethro Judge King Moses

Topics

Court: Civil: Composition of, and Mode of Procedure Court: Superior, and Inferior Courts of Justice: Inferior Court: All Minor Cases Decided By Courts of Justice: Superior Court: Decided on all Appeals and Difficult Cases Government: Mosaic: Administrative and Judicial System Journey of Israel Through The Desert: Justice Administered During Journey of Israel Through The Desert: To Mount Sinai: Judges Appointed Moses: Institutes a System of Government The Kenites: Showed Kindness to Israel in the Desert