Exodus 18:16 kjv

When they have a matter, they come unto me; and I judge between one and another, and I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws.

Exodus 18:16 nkjv

When they have a difficulty, they come to me, and I judge between one and another; and I make known the statutes of God and His laws."

Exodus 18:16 niv

Whenever they have a dispute, it is brought to me, and I decide between the parties and inform them of God's decrees and instructions."

Exodus 18:16 esv

when they have a dispute, they come to me and I decide between one person and another, and I make them know the statutes of God and his laws."

Exodus 18:16 nlt

When a dispute arises, they come to me, and I am the one who settles the case between the quarreling parties. I inform the people of God's decrees and give them his instructions."

Exodus 18 verses

Exodus 18 16 Meaning

Exodus 18:16 describes Moses' overwhelmed role as the sole judge and interpreter of God's will for the Israelites. People came to him with their disputes, and he would resolve their conflicts while simultaneously instructing them in the divine statutes and laws given by God. This highlights Moses' critical dual function as both a legal arbiter and a prophetic teacher, demonstrating the immense burden he carried alone.

Exodus 18 16 Context

Exodus chapter 18 details the visit of Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, to Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness. Prior to this, the Israelites had crossed the Red Sea, received manna, found water, and battled Amalek. Moses has been bearing the entire weight of leadership: listening to disputes, giving God's instructions, and acting as the sole intermediary between God and the people. Jethro observes Moses' exhausting routine, where people queue from morning until evening seeking judgment and instruction. Verse 16 specifically articulates what Moses does during these daily encounters, illustrating the demanding nature of his responsibility which leads to Jethro's subsequent, vital counsel to delegate authority (Exod 18:17-23). This encounter occurs before the formal giving of the Law at Sinai, highlighting the provisional nature of Israel's early governance.

Exodus 18 16 Word analysis

• When (כִּי ki): Introduces a regular, ongoing occurrence. It signifies a continuous situation, "whenever."
• they have a dispute (יִהְיֶה לָהֶם דָּבָר yihyeh lahem davar - lit. "there is to them a word/matter"):
  • davar (דָּבָר): This Hebrew term is rich in meaning, encompassing "word," "thing," "matter," or "affair." In this context, it refers to a "case," "issue," or "dispute." It highlights the need for a resolution to a specific contentious issue.
• they come to me (יָבוֹא אֵלַי yavo elay): Emphasizes Moses as the single point of contact and ultimate authority. This demonstrates Moses' accessibility but also his severe burden.
• and I decide (וְשָׁפַטְתִּי weshaphatti):
  • shaphat (שָׁפַט): The verb means "to judge," "to govern," or "to rule." It signifies not just giving a verdict but also upholding justice and maintaining order. Moses acted as both judge and executive authority.
• between one person and another (בֵּין אִישׁ וּבֵין רֵעֵהוּ bein ish u'bein re'ehu):
  • ish (אִישׁ): "man" or "person."
  • re'ehu (רֵעֵהוּ): "his fellow," "his neighbor."
  • This phrase indicates the nature of the disputes: personal conflicts or legal cases between individuals within the community. It also implicitly highlights Moses' impartiality in resolving them.
• and I make known to them (וְהוֹדַעְתִּי wehodati):
  • yada (יָדַע): In the Hifil stem, "to make known," "to instruct," "to cause to know." This emphasizes Moses' role as a teacher and revealer of divine will, not just an arbitrator. He communicated divine truth, ensuring understanding.
• the statutes (אֶת־הַחֻקִּים et-ha-chukkim):
  • choq (חֹק): "statute," "ordinance," "decree," often referring to established, prescribed rules or boundaries. These are fixed, specific commands.
• and the laws (וְאֶת־הַתּוֹרֹת we'et-ha-torot):
  • torah (תּוֹרָה): Derived from a root meaning "to direct" or "to instruct," Torah broadly refers to "instruction," "teaching," or "law." It encompasses the divine will, not merely legal codes but also moral and spiritual principles. Here, it can refer to specific divine teachings given by God, setting the groundwork for the more extensive revelation at Sinai. The plural form suggests a collection of instructions.
• of God (הָאֱלֹהִים ha'Elohim):
  • Elohim (אֱלֹהִים): The generic Hebrew word for God. This emphasizes that the statutes and laws Moses made known were not of human origin but derived from a divine source, granting them ultimate authority and infallibility.

Exodus 18 16 Bonus section

• This verse foreshadows the structure of governance and justice later instituted in Israel, involving judges (shophetim) and the importance of teaching Torah.
• The use of choq and torah here shows that God's people were already being instructed in His ways even before the grand covenant ceremony at Mount Sinai, implying an existing foundational understanding of divine expectation.
• Jethro's observation and advice highlight a principle of good leadership: recognizing one's limits and delegating effectively to build a robust, sustainable system that benefits all. It shows that even a divinely appointed leader needs wise, practical counsel.
• Moses' initial role demonstrates God's personal engagement with His people, handling individual cases and directly communicating His standards, emphasizing relational intimacy even amidst emerging legal structures.

Exodus 18 16 Commentary

Exodus 18:16 serves as a foundational statement articulating Moses' immense and multifaceted responsibilities at this critical juncture in Israel's history. He was the sole channel for divine justice and revelation, acting as both an adjudicator for daily disputes and an educator of God's precepts. This verse reveals the personal and direct access the people had to Moses for all their needs, from complex legal disputes to basic understanding of God's will. However, it also implicitly reveals the unsustainability of such a system. The constant demand meant an overburdened leader and long delays for the people, laying the groundwork for Jethro’s inspired advice to decentralize authority. Moses' work wasn't just about resolving immediate conflicts; it was also about embedding divine principles (statutes and laws) into the fabric of the community, setting the ethical and social standards for Israel's journey and future existence as God's covenant people. The direct link to "God" at the end of the verse ensures that the authority and content of Moses' judgments and teachings were divinely sanctioned and therefore immutable.