Exodus 18:15 kjv

And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God:

Exodus 18:15 nkjv

And Moses said to his father-in-law, "Because the people come to me to inquire of God.

Exodus 18:15 niv

Moses answered him, "Because the people come to me to seek God's will.

Exodus 18:15 esv

And Moses said to his father-in-law, "Because the people come to me to inquire of God;

Exodus 18:15 nlt

Moses replied, "Because the people come to me to get a ruling from God.

Exodus 18 verses

Exodus 18 15 Meaning

Exodus 18:15 explains Moses' rationale for shouldering the immense burden of judging the Israelite people. He tells his father-in-law, Jethro, that the people come to him primarily "to inquire of God," indicating their desire for divine wisdom, direction, and resolution of disputes directly from God, as communicated through His chosen intermediary, Moses. This highlights Moses' unique mediatorial role in the early stages of Israel's journey in the wilderness.

Exodus 18 15 Context

Exodus chapter 18 details the visit of Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, to Moses in the wilderness. Jethro observes Moses' exhausting routine: sitting alone from morning till evening, judging every dispute among the vast Israelite population. Verse 15 directly follows Jethro's questioning of Moses' work method. Moses explains that his unique and singular role is necessitated by the people's desire to approach God through him for all their legal and spiritual inquiries, serving as both interpreter of divine law and arbiter of justice. This verse sets the stage for Jethro's profound, God-inspired advice to delegate authority to qualified leaders, alleviating Moses' overwhelming burden and ensuring sustained, fair justice for the nation. Historically, in ancient Near Eastern cultures, kings or leaders often served as chief judges; however, here Moses uniquely serves as God's designated interpreter of divine law, a role paramount to the new covenant established at Sinai.

Exodus 18 15 Word analysis

• Moses: (מֹשֶׁה, Mosheh) - The divinely chosen leader, prophet, and mediator for Israel. His name means "drawn out," referring to his rescue from the Nile, symbolizing his unique origin and role in drawing Israel out of Egypt and into covenant with God. He is seen as the unparalleled prophet (Num 12:6-8; Deut 34:10).
• said: (וַיֹּאמֶר, va'yomer) - A standard Hebrew verb, indicating direct speech.
• to his father-in-law: (אֶל־חֹתְנֹו, el-chotno) - Jethro, a Midianite priest, demonstrates cross-cultural wisdom and a genuine concern for Moses and the people. His familial relationship allowed for candid observation and advice.
• Because: (כִּֽי־, ki) - A causal conjunction, meaning "for" or "because," introducing Moses' explanation for his actions.
• the people: (הָעָם, ha'am) - Referring specifically to the nation of Israel, the multitude delivered from Egypt, emphasizing their dependence on Moses as their sole source of divine guidance at this point.
• come: (יָבֹא, yavo) - Imperfect tense, implying an ongoing, habitual action ("they come regularly," or "they keep coming"). This highlights the constant demand on Moses' time and energy.
• to me: (אֵלַי, elay) - Stresses Moses' exclusive role as the point of contact, reinforcing his unique mediatorial position between God and the people.
• to inquire: (לִדְרֹשׁ, lidrosh) - From the verb דָּרַשׁ (darash), which means to "seek," "search for," "consult," "ask for," often in a spiritual or religious sense. It implies a deep desire to know God's will, not merely seeking legal judgment but seeking divine revelation and guidance. This verb is also used for seeking God directly (Ps 27:8; Is 55:6) or His law (Ps 119:2, 10).
• of God: (אֱלֹהִֽים, Elohim) - The generic Hebrew term for "God," but in the context of Israel, it specifically refers to Yahweh, the one true God. The plural form (ending in '-im') is often understood as a plural of majesty or intensity, underscoring the greatness and uniqueness of the one true God of Israel, distinct from the polytheistic deities of surrounding cultures.
• Words-group Analysis:
  • "the people come to me to inquire of God": This phrase encapsulates the core reason for Moses' overwhelming workload. It is not just legal disputes they bring, but a spiritual yearning for divine direction, implying that only Moses possessed the recognized authority and communion with God to provide this. This underscores the theological foundation of their legal system—it was divine law.
  • "to inquire of God": This emphasizes the religious and spiritual nature of their requests, differentiating them from purely secular arbitration. It validates Moses' dedication, as he is facilitating their direct interaction, through him, with the divine will.

Exodus 18 15 Bonus section

The concept of "inquiring of God" (דָּרַשׁ אֱלֹהִֽים) is deeply embedded in Old Testament theology. It signifies a holistic search for divine guidance, encompassing ethical, legal, and spiritual dimensions. This distinguishes Israelite jurisprudence from contemporary legal systems reliant on human reasoning alone; their justice system was explicitly tied to God's revealed will. Moses' position as the singular conduit for this inquiry highlights the unique covenantal relationship God established with Israel through him. This dependence, while necessary for a nascent nation receiving divine law, eventually foreshadowed the need for a more accessible divine presence or the delegation of authority, which Jethro addresses in subsequent verses and eventually finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ as the approachable mediator (1 Tim 2:5) for all who "inquire of God."

Exodus 18 15 Commentary

Exodus 18:15 provides the direct explanation from Moses regarding his taxing daily routine. It reveals that the people's coming to him was not merely for resolving petty arguments, but fundamentally "to inquire of God." This underscores the profound spiritual and legal dependency the nascent nation had on Moses. He was not just a human judge, but a prophet and intermediary, through whom God's wisdom, commands, and judgments were revealed. This statement highlights the divine origin of Israel's law and justice system, directly countering the notion of merely human-derived arbitration common in other societies. The verse thus sets up the dilemma that Jethro intelligently perceives: while the intention (seeking God's will) is righteous, the methodology (Moses as the sole intermediary for a vast nation) is unsustainable. It shows Moses fulfilling the priestly/prophetic duty of bringing God's word to the people and bringing the people's concerns before God, but doing so without delegation.