Exodus 18:24 kjv

So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law, and did all that he had said.

Exodus 18:24 nkjv

So Moses heeded the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.

Exodus 18:24 niv

Moses listened to his father-in-law and did everything he said.

Exodus 18:24 esv

So Moses listened to the voice of his father-in-law and did all that he had said.

Exodus 18:24 nlt

Moses listened to his father-in-law's advice and followed his suggestions.

Exodus 18 verses

Exodus 18 24 Meaning

Exodus 18:24 states that Moses listened intently to the counsel of his father-in-law, Jethro, and thoroughly carried out all of Jethro's recommendations regarding the judicial administration of the Israelite nation. This signifies a pivotal moment of organizational change and the delegation of authority within the early Israelite community.

Exodus 18 24 Context

Exodus chapter 18 details Jethro, Moses' father-in-law, visiting Moses and the Israelites in the wilderness after their departure from Egypt. Jethro witnesses Moses sitting from morning till evening, single-handedly judging all the disputes and burdens of the people. Recognizing the unsustainable and exhausting nature of this approach for both Moses and the nation, Jethro wisely advises Moses to delegate these responsibilities. He suggests selecting capable men—who fear God, are trustworthy, and hate dishonest gain—and appointing them as judges over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. These appointed judges would handle the ordinary disputes, bringing only the most difficult cases to Moses. This verse (18:24) records Moses' immediate and full acceptance and implementation of Jethro's insightful administrative strategy.

Exodus 18 24 Word analysis

• So: (Hebrew: וַיִּשְׁמַע - vayyishma, "And he heard/heeded"). This opening word acts as a connective, indicating a direct response or consequence. It suggests a prompt and positive action flowing from the preceding advice given by Jethro. It sets the tone for Moses' immediate compliance.

• Moses: The divinely chosen leader and prophet of Israel, central to God's plan for His people. His willingness to heed advice, even from his Midianite father-in-law, highlights his humility and pragmatism despite his unique status and direct communication with God.

• heeded: (Hebrew: שָׁמַע - sham'a). This verb means "to hear," "to listen," and crucially, "to obey" or "to heed." It implies active, attentive listening that leads to action. In the context of the Hebrew Bible, sham'a often carries the weight of obedient response, as seen in the call to "hear the voice of the LORD." Here, Moses doesn't just hear the words; he absorbs, accepts, and commits to them.

• his father-in-law's: Refers to Jethro (also called Reuel or Hobab), a priest of Midian. The relationship emphasizes that Moses was open to receiving wisdom from a familial, yet also external, source who understood general principles of human organization. Jethro's practical insight complemented God's revealed will for Israel.

• voice: (Hebrew: קֹול - qol). This refers to Jethro's words of counsel and instruction. It signifies the spoken wisdom and advice that Jethro conveyed to Moses concerning judicial administration.

• and did: (Hebrew: וַיַּעַשׂ - vayya'as, "and he did/made"). This verb denotes active implementation and execution. Moses didn't merely agree in principle; he took tangible steps to put Jethro's counsel into practice. It highlights Moses' characteristic of moving swiftly from hearing to acting decisively.

• all that he had said: This phrase underscores the comprehensive and unreserved nature of Moses' adoption of Jethro's plan. It implies that every aspect of the counsel – including the selection criteria for judges, the hierarchy of judicial responsibility (over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens), and the referral system for difficult cases – was accepted and carried out.

• Moses heeded his father-in-law's voice: This phrase captures the essence of Moses' humility and his capacity for practical wisdom. Despite his unique position as the primary recipient of divine revelation, Moses recognized and acted upon sound human counsel from a non-Israelite, demonstrating openness and discernment. This sets a precedent for leadership that combines divine guidance with astute practical application.

• and did all that he had said: This emphasizes the completeness and decisiveness of Moses' obedience and implementation. It was not a partial adoption or a hesitant trial, but a full commitment to the proposed administrative restructuring. This shows proactive and effective leadership crucial for the burgeoning nation of Israel.

Exodus 18 24 Bonus section

• This crucial administrative re-organization takes place before the Law is given at Mount Sinai (Exodus 19 onwards). This signifies that a basic, practical structure for justice and governance was essential for Israel's daily life even prior to the detailed legal code being fully promulgated, highlighting the fundamental importance of order for societal flourishing.
• Jethro's advice, though human counsel from a Midianite, is widely regarded in theological thought as providential. It was good wisdom that God intended for His people, demonstrating how God can work through "common grace" and human discernment to achieve His purposes within a covenant community.
• This act of delegation established a model for future leadership and judicial structures in Israel (elders, judges) and finds a parallel in the New Testament church where apostles delegated specific responsibilities to deacons (Acts 6:1-7) to ensure efficient functioning and proper care for the community, thus freeing leaders for their core tasks.

Exodus 18 24 Commentary

Exodus 18:24 is a profound illustration of adaptive and effective leadership. Moses, despite holding direct communion with God, demonstrated exceptional humility and discernment by fully embracing Jethro's practical advice. This event highlights that godly leadership is not always solely about receiving direct divine commands for every detail, but also involves recognizing and applying natural wisdom and sound organizational principles. The delegation of authority was crucial for the long-term sustainability and effectiveness of Israel's burgeoning society, alleviating Moses' burden and establishing a foundational judicial system. This act of "doing all that he had said" laid the groundwork for a more ordered community, ensuring justice could be more readily dispensed to all people, preparing the nation for the formal covenant and Law soon to be given at Sinai. This episode serves as an important precedent for organizational structure and shared responsibilities within the community of faith, from ancient Israel to the New Testament church. For instance, leaders can apply this by understanding that effective ministry often requires strategic delegation and reliance on the collective gifts and wisdom of the community, rather than trying to carry all burdens alone.