Exodus 18:23 kjv

If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee so, then thou shalt be able to endure, and all this people shall also go to their place in peace.

Exodus 18:23 nkjv

If you do this thing, and God so commands you, then you will be able to endure, and all this people will also go to their place in peace."

Exodus 18:23 niv

If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied."

Exodus 18:23 esv

If you do this, God will direct you, you will be able to endure, and all this people also will go to their place in peace."

Exodus 18:23 nlt

If you follow this advice, and if God commands you to do so, then you will be able to endure the pressures, and all these people will go home in peace."

Exodus 18 verses

Exodus 18 23 Meaning

Exodus 18:23 articulates the beneficial outcomes of Moses adopting Jethro's proposed judicial system, conditioned upon divine approval. It posits that if this method of delegating judicial responsibilities is implemented, and crucially, if God sanctions it, then Moses will be able to sustain his leadership without exhaustion, and the Israelite people will experience efficient and peaceful resolution to their disputes, allowing them to return home satisfied and in order. The verse underscores that effective human administration, even if wise, must ultimately align with and be commanded by God to achieve true, lasting success and societal well-being.

Exodus 18 23 Context

Exodus chapter 18 details a significant moment in the Israelites' journey from Egypt, immediately after their victory against Amalek. Moses is burdened with the responsibility of judging all disputes among the people from dawn till dusk, a task observed by his father-in-law, Jethro, a Midianite priest. Jethro wisely advises Moses that this system is unsustainable, risking burnout for Moses and perpetual dissatisfaction for the people due to delays. Jethro's counsel (Exod 18:21-22) proposes a hierarchical judicial structure: Moses would teach God's statutes, handle only the most difficult cases, while appointing capable, God-fearing men to judge the ordinary matters. Exodus 18:23 then states the conditional promise of successful implementation, emphasizing that this human wisdom must also receive divine sanction. Historically, this account pre-dates the full Mosaic Law given at Sinai, showcasing a practical administrative need met through divine guidance, forming the basis for Israel's later structured legal system.

Exodus 18 23 Word analysis

• "If you do this" (Im et-haDavar haZeh ta'aseh - אִם אֶת־הַדָּבָר הַזֶּה תַּעֲשֶׂה): This phrase refers to Jethro's comprehensive counsel outlined in Exodus 18:21-22—namely, the delegation of judicial authority by appointing reliable, God-fearing men as judges. It highlights the contingent nature of the proposed outcome on Moses' obedient action. It underscores human responsibility in adopting wise practices.
• "and God so commands you" (veTzivvəkha Elohim - וְצִוְּךָ אֱלֹהִים): This is a critical clause that elevates Jethro's practical advice beyond mere human wisdom. Elohim (אֱלֹהִים) here denotes the one true God. The phrase means "and God commands you" or "God instructs you." It signifies that the success and validity of the proposed system depend entirely on its divine approval and instruction. It demonstrates the need for divine sanction even for apparently good counsel, indicating true guidance for God's people comes from Him. This implies Moses will seek confirmation from God, which God indeed provides later through the giving of the Law (e.g., Deut 1:9-18; 16:18).
• "then you will be able to endure" (veYakhólta a'mod - וְיָכׇלְתָּ עֲמֹד): Refers specifically to Moses. The Hebrew verb a'mod (עָמַד) means "to stand," "to stand firm," or "to remain." In this context, it implies resilience, sustainability, and ability to bear the immense burden of leadership without collapsing from exhaustion. It addresses Jethro's concern that Moses would "wear out" (Exod 18:18).
• "and all these people" (veKhol-ha'Am haZeh - וְכָל־הָעָם הַזֶּה): Encompasses the entire Israelite community. This signifies the widespread benefit and the positive impact on the whole congregation when justice is accessible and disputes are resolved efficiently. It highlights communal well-being.
• "will go to their place in peace" (yavo el-meqomo beShalom - יָבֹא אֶל־מְקֹמוֹ בְּשָׁלוֹם): This phrase describes the desirable outcome for the common people. Meqomo (מְקוֹמוֹ) refers to "their place" or "their home," indicating that they can return to their daily lives. BeShalom (בְּשָׁלוֹם) means "in peace," but its Hebrew concept Shalom (שָׁלוֹם) is much broader than just absence of conflict. It implies completeness, wholeness, well-being, health, prosperity, resolution, and satisfaction. It means people will have their grievances justly settled and depart contentedly, fostering order and tranquility in the camp.

Exodus 18 23 Bonus section

• Jethro's advice coming from a Midianite priest suggests that God's wisdom and good counsel are not exclusively bound to the Israelite covenant but can be found, recognized, and integrated through diverse channels.
• This verse prefigures the structured governance of Israel, providing a foundational principle for appointing judges and elders throughout their history, anticipating later detailed commands in Deuteronomy.
• The phrase "God so commands you" emphasizes discerning between human wisdom (however sound) and divine will. Moses' subsequent action would not be merely following good advice but obeying God's instruction, indicating reliance on God for ultimate authority.
• The system of delegation outlined helps transition Israel from a largely family-clan based system to a national governance structure capable of supporting millions, vital for their identity as God's chosen nation.
• The "peace" mentioned here, shalom, speaks to a holistic state of well-being where disputes are resolved, justice is administered, and people can live orderly and productive lives free from lingering grievances.

Exodus 18 23 Commentary

Exodus 18:23 succinctly ties human initiative and wisdom to divine command and sanction for ultimate success. Jethro's astute observation of Moses' overwhelming judicial workload leads to pragmatic advice: decentralize authority through appointing capable judges. However, the efficacy of this wise counsel hinges on God's specific command. This is not merely good advice, but an administration method blessed and ordained by the Almighty. When leadership models such alignment—Moses being empowered and supported by divine wisdom, often conveyed through human instruments—it enables the leader to "endure" under monumental responsibilities. Furthermore, the systematic distribution of justice allows the entire community to experience "peace," which signifies not only the absence of discord but also wholeness, satisfaction, and order. This principle highlights that God desires justice and peace for His people, and often provides mechanisms, including shared leadership structures, to achieve this. Practically, this verse illustrates the importance of seeking divine will even for seemingly logical and beneficial plans, fostering healthy delegation, and promoting an accessible, efficient system of conflict resolution for societal harmony.