Exodus 18:19 kjv

Hearken now unto my voice, I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee: Be thou for the people to God-ward, that thou mayest bring the causes unto God:

Exodus 18:19 nkjv

Listen now to my voice; I will give you counsel, and God will be with you: Stand before God for the people, so that you may bring the difficulties to God.

Exodus 18:19 niv

Listen now to me and I will give you some advice, and may God be with you. You must be the people's representative before God and bring their disputes to him.

Exodus 18:19 esv

Now obey my voice; I will give you advice, and God be with you! You shall represent the people before God and bring their cases to God,

Exodus 18:19 nlt

Now listen to me, and let me give you a word of advice, and may God be with you. You should continue to be the people's representative before God, bringing their disputes to him.

Exodus 18 verses

Exodus 18 19 Meaning

Exodus 18:19 captures Jethro's insightful counsel to Moses regarding the overwhelming burden of judicial responsibility. Jethro advises Moses to primarily focus on his unique, direct access to God. Moses' role, as prescribed by this counsel, is to represent the people's concerns to God, serve as their advocate before the Divine presence, and crucially, bring complex or difficult legal cases directly to God for resolution and guidance. This instruction signifies Moses' elevated position as a conduit for divine revelation and justice, reserving his personal interaction with the Almighty for matters requiring direct heavenly intervention, while delegating simpler disputes.

Exodus 18 19 Context

Exodus chapter 18 details the visit of Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, to the Israelites' camp in the wilderness. Having heard of God's mighty acts for Israel, Jethro rejoices and praises God, acknowledging His supremacy. However, he soon observes Moses' unsustainable practice of judging all disputes for the vast Israelite population from morning till evening, which was wearing Moses and the people out. Exodus 18:19 initiates Jethro's inspired counsel to Moses, providing a structured, hierarchical approach to justice and governance. This verse specifically defines Moses' highest and most unique responsibility: maintaining direct, representational communion with God for the people and presenting to Him the most challenging cases that require divine wisdom. It sets the stage for the delegation of judicial authority to worthy men among the people (Ex 18:21-22), an essential administrative reform for the nascent nation of Israel. This narrative implicitly highlights the divine provision for order and justice even amidst the chaos of the wilderness, contrasting with potential arbitrary rulings common in non-divinely ordered societies of the ancient Near East, by grounding all true justice in God's direct counsel.

Exodus 18 19 Word analysis

• Now listen to me: (Hebrew: הַאֲזִינָה, ha'azinah, imperative form of 'to give ear, to listen attentively'). This indicates Jethro's earnest desire for Moses to heed his advice, signifying the importance and practical wisdom of his counsel. Moses' willingness to listen demonstrates his humility and openness to receive instruction, even from a non-Israelite or relative.
• I will give you counsel: (Hebrew: אִיעֲצָךְ, i'atseka, from יָעַץ, ya'ats, meaning 'to advise, counsel'). Jethro offers seasoned advice, not a command. This emphasizes the supportive and beneficial nature of his guidance for Moses' leadership. It shows a wise leader is open to wise advice from others.
• and God be with you!: (Hebrew: וְיִהְיֶה אֱלֹהִים עִמָּךְ, veyihyeh Elohim immakh). This is a benediction or prayer. Jethro invokes God's presence and blessing upon Moses and his task, recognizing that true success in divine service depends on God's active involvement and enablement. "Elohim" (אֱלֹהִים) is the general Hebrew term for God, affirming Jethro's monotheistic or henotheistic belief that God is active and present in the affairs of humanity, especially in leadership.
• You be for the people before God: (Hebrew: אַתָּה הֱיֵה לָעָם נֶגֶד הָאֱלֹהִים, attah heyeh la'am neged ha'Elohim).
  • You be for the people: Moses' role as their advocate, representative, and spokesman. He stands on behalf of the people.
  • before God: (Hebrew: נֶגֶד הָאֱלֹהִים, neged ha'Elohim). This phrase is crucial. It means "in front of God," "in the presence of God." It defines Moses' unique mediatorial function. He represents Israel to God, presenting their needs, complaints, and especially their difficult cases, just as a priest might approach a deity on behalf of his people. This prefigures the role of the High Priest and, ultimately, Christ's mediatorial work. It underscores that Moses alone has such direct access.
• and you bring the cases to God: (Hebrew: וְהֵבֵאתָ אֶת־הַדְּבָרִים אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִים, veheveta et-had'varim el-ha'Elohim).
  • cases: (Hebrew: הַדְּבָרִים, had'varim, plural of דָּבָר, davar, meaning "words," "matters," "affairs," "disputes"). These are the specific, complex legal or moral issues that cannot be resolved by standard judgment and require a direct divine pronouncement or clarification.
  • to God: (Hebrew: אֶל־הָאֱלֹהִים, el-ha'Elohim). Moses is to act as the ultimate appeal court, where the final judgment comes directly from the Almighty, through Moses as His chosen channel. This highlights the divine source of all true justice in Israel, and ensures that the most perplexing ethical and legal dilemmas are resolved according to God's will.

Exodus 18 19 Bonus section

The scene with Jethro providing counsel to Moses is significant as it demonstrates that God's wisdom is not exclusively confined to those within the Israelite covenant at all times. Jethro, a Midianite priest, offers advice that proves instrumental in structuring Israel's nascent governance, suggesting a broader availability of wisdom (though not direct divine revelation of specific covenantal laws, which remains unique to Moses). This also underlines Moses' humility in accepting counsel and discerning its divine origins, setting an example for leaders to be open to good advice from any source, vetting it against God's ultimate truth. This incident lays the administrative groundwork for Israel as a structured nation, anticipating the future development of its legal and judicial institutions beyond a single patriarchal leader, a necessity for a growing multitude of millions.

Exodus 18 19 Commentary

Exodus 18:19 forms the core of Jethro's strategic wisdom for Moses, addressing the immense and unsustainable burden of singular leadership. Recognizing Moses' unique anointing, Jethro did not suggest he abandon his leadership but rather re-center it on his most distinctive and irreplaceable function: direct communion with God on behalf of Israel.

Moses was to be the singular intermediary, the representative "for the people before God." This wasn't merely a positional title but an active, indispensable role involving presenting the nation's concerns, their struggles, and ultimately, the intricate judicial dilemmas directly to the Divine presence. It was about being the primary conduit for divine instruction and clarification on matters where human wisdom or established laws were insufficient. By "bringing the cases to God," Moses ensured that Israel's jurisprudence was rooted in heavenly decree, preventing the arbitrary application of justice and continuously tying the people's societal and moral life to the will of their covenant Lord.

This counsel implicitly acknowledges the omnipotence and wisdom of God as the ultimate judge and lawgiver. It also highlights the humility of Moses, who, despite his unique status, was open to the wisdom of an outsider (Jethro) and implemented a structure that would preserve both his spiritual intimacy with God and the health of the community. This divinely-inspired delegation of authority provided a foundational model for judicial systems, recognizing that no single leader, however gifted, should bear the entirety of administrative and judicial burdens without proper support and structure. It ensures efficiency, provides clear lines of authority, and maintains God as the ultimate source of justice.

• Practical application: Leaders are encouraged to identify their core, irreplaceable responsibilities and delegate other tasks. Seek wise counsel from trusted individuals, irrespective of their perceived "status." All leadership should rely on God's presence and guidance.