Exodus 18:17 kjv

And Moses' father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.

Exodus 18:17 nkjv

So Moses' father-in-law said to him, "The thing that you do is not good.

Exodus 18:17 niv

Moses' father-in-law replied, "What you are doing is not good.

Exodus 18:17 esv

Moses' father-in-law said to him, "What you are doing is not good.

Exodus 18:17 nlt

"This is not good!" Moses' father-in-law exclaimed.

Exodus 18 verses

Exodus 18 17 Meaning

Exodus 18:17 presents the discerning observation and candid critique from Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, regarding Moses' exhaustive method of judging the Israelite community alone. Jethro plainly states, "The thing that you are doing is not good." This is not a moral condemnation but a pragmatic assessment that Moses' current approach is unsustainable, inefficient, and detrimental to both himself and the people. It signals a foundational moment where a critical need for structural reform in leadership and administration is identified.

Exodus 18 17 Context

Exodus chapter 18 details the visit of Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, a Midianite priest, to the Israelites encamped in the wilderness at Horeb. He brings Moses' wife Zipporah and his two sons who had been sent back previously. After an initial reunion and Jethro’s celebration of Yahweh's deliverance of Israel from Egypt, Jethro observes Moses' daily, sole occupation as judge and mediator for all the people from morning until evening (Exo 18:13). This exhaustive practice forms the immediate backdrop for Jethro's counsel in verse 17. The verse marks a pivot point where an external, yet wise and divinely respectful, observer points out a systemic flaw. In the ancient Near East, leaders often bore immense personal responsibility, but even for divinely appointed figures like Moses, the practical limits of human capacity were real. This exchange highlights the need for a scalable judicial and administrative system for the burgeoning nation of Israel, laying the groundwork for delegated authority. The advice implicitly counters any potential belief that a divinely empowered leader should or could handle every single matter, suggesting practical wisdom and sound management are integral to effective leadership, even God’s work.

Exodus 18 17 Word analysis

• And Moses’ father-in-law (וַיֹּאמֶר חֹתֵן מֹשֶׁה - vayyomer choten Mosheh):

  • וַיֹּאמֶר (vayyomer - and he said): This "and" often indicates sequential action or an immediate response in Hebrew narrative. Jethro's observation naturally leads to his statement.
  • חֹתֵן מֹשֶׁה (choten Mosheh - Moses' father-in-law): This identifies the speaker as Jethro. His familial relationship grants him both intimacy and authority to speak candidly. Jethro, a Midianite priest (Exo 18:1), is presented as a figure of practical wisdom and reverence for Yahweh (Exo 18:9-12), whose counsel is ultimately endorsed by God through Moses' acceptance of it.

• said to him, (אֵלָיו - elayv):

  • אֵלָיו (elayv - to him): A direct address, signifying that Jethro initiates the conversation and offers personal advice to Moses.

• “The thing (הַדָּבָר - haDavar):

  • הַדָּבָר (haDavar): "Davar" means word, thing, matter, affair. With the definite article "ha-" (the), it specifically refers to the current situation or matter that Moses is undertaking – his singular approach to judging the people. It's not an abstract concept but the practical ongoing activity.

• that you are doing (אֲשֶׁר אַתָּה עֹשֶׂה - asher attah oseh):

  • אֲשֶׁר (asher - that/which): A relative pronoun, linking "the thing" to Moses' action.
  • אַתָּה (attah - you): Emphasizes Moses as the agent.
  • עֹשֶׂה (oseh - doing/making): A present participle, indicating an ongoing, continuous action. Jethro is observing Moses' established practice, not a one-time event. The focus is on the methodology and its implications.

• is not good.” (לֹא טוֹב - lo tov):

  • לֹא (lo - not): A simple negative.
  • טוֹב (tov - good): A common Hebrew word often signifying morally right, pleasant, beneficial, effective, or fitting. When used with "lo" (not), it implies something is inadequate, unsustainable, or disadvantageous. Here, "not good" indicates it's impractical, leads to negative consequences, and is unsuited for the long term for both Moses and the people. It's a statement of pragmatic deficiency rather than ethical failing.

• Words-group analysis:

  • "And Moses’ father-in-law said to him": This phrase establishes the source of the counsel, highlighting both Jethro's close familial bond with Moses and his unique position as an elder offering wisdom from an outside perspective, albeit one that reveres the same God (Exo 18:10-12). It implies an atmosphere of trust that allowed for frank discussion.
  • "The thing that you are doing": This clarifies that Jethro's critique targets Moses' method and workload management, not his character, devotion, or divine calling. It focuses on the systemic approach Moses employs in governing the people's judicial needs.
  • "is not good": This concise yet powerful statement conveys the core of Jethro's concern. The phrasing echoes Gen 2:18 ("It is not good that the man should be alone"), implying a state that is unsustainable, incomplete, or functionally deficient and requires intervention. For Moses, it implies imminent exhaustion, and for the people, it suggests prolonged frustration and limited access to justice.

Exodus 18 17 Bonus section

• Jethro's prophetic insight: Some scholars view Jethro's counsel not merely as human wisdom but as implicitly guided by divine providence, considering Moses' willingness to accept and implement it, and its subsequent benefit to the nation. This demonstrates that God can provide wisdom through diverse channels, even non-Israelites who honor Him.
• Humility of Moses: Moses, the greatest prophet in the Old Testament, receiving and acting on the advice of his father-in-law, highlights his humility and open-mindedness to wise counsel, regardless of its source. This sets a precedent for leaders, even those with unique divine commission, to remain teachable.
• Principle of Scalability: The "not good" implies that the system in place was not scalable for the burgeoning nation of Israel. Jethro recognized that effective leadership must evolve with growth, necessitating distributed responsibility rather than centralized control for all matters. This lays a foundation for effective governance and organizational structure.

Exodus 18 17 Commentary

Exodus 18:17 encapsulates Jethro’s wisdom, delivered through a loving but firm assessment of Moses' leadership practice. He declares Moses' sole responsibility for judging all disputes as "not good" because it is a system inherently incapable of meeting the vast needs of a growing nation. This phrase, "not good" (לֹא טוֹב), used notably in creation (Gen 2:18), here signifies practical dysfunction, a model doomed to exhaust the leader and frustrate the people. It isn't a moral failure on Moses' part but a lack of structural efficiency and human capacity. This counsel is remarkable because it comes from a non-Israelite, yet is presented as divinely inspired wisdom accepted by God’s chosen leader. The verse serves as a crucial prelude to the principle of delegation, highlighting that even God-anointed leaders have human limits and benefit from wise counsel. It teaches the importance of managing responsibilities effectively to prevent burnout and ensure sustained service and equitable access to justice for all. Practical examples include a pastor trying to counsel every church member personally, leading to burnout and inadequate support for many, or a manager taking on all tasks, hindering team development and slowing project progress.