Exodus 18:26 kjv

And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves.

Exodus 18:26 nkjv

So they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves.

Exodus 18:26 niv

They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves.

Exodus 18:26 esv

And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves.

Exodus 18:26 nlt

These men were always available to solve the people's common disputes. They brought the major cases to Moses, but they took care of the smaller matters themselves.

Exodus 18 verses

Exodus 18 26 Meaning

Exodus 18:26 details the practical implementation of Jethro’s administrative advice to Moses. It explains that the newly appointed leaders handled the majority of the disputes among the people, specifically "every small matter." Only the "hard causes" or complex cases, which were beyond the scope of these delegated judges, were referred upwards to Moses for his direct judgment and resolution. This system ensured efficient and accessible justice for the Israelites at all times, distributing the judicial burden and allowing Moses to focus on God's highest revelations.

Exodus 18 26 Context

Exodus chapter 18 details a pivotal moment in the establishment of Israel's governmental and judicial structure, occurring shortly after the departure from Egypt and the giving of the manna, but before the revelation at Sinai. Moses' father-in-law, Jethro, a priest of Midian, visits him. Witnessing Moses overwhelmed by judging all the people from morning to evening, Jethro sagaciously advises him to delegate judicial responsibility. Jethro observed that Moses' solo endeavor was unsustainable for both himself and the people, leading to exhaustion for Moses and prolonged waits for the people. The proposed solution was to appoint qualified, God-fearing men to serve as judges over various sizes of groups (thousands, hundreds, fifties, tens) to handle minor disputes, leaving only the "hard causes" to Moses, who would continue to serve as the ultimate mediator for God’s laws and difficult appeals. Verse 26, therefore, records the practical result of Moses' humble acceptance and diligent implementation of Jethro’s inspired counsel, setting a foundational principle for organized governance and efficient justice within God's chosen nation.

Exodus 18 26 Word analysis

• And they judged: (וַיִּשְׁפְּט֣וּ - vayyishp’ṭū). Root שָׁפַט (shaphat), meaning "to judge, govern, rule, administer justice." This highlights the transfer of direct judicial responsibility from Moses to the appointed leaders. It signifies their active role in arbitration and decision-making for the community.
• the people: (אֶת־הָעָם֙ - et-hā‘ām). Refers to the entire Israelite community. This underscores the broad application of the delegated authority, ensuring justice reached all segments of the populace.
• at all seasons: (בְּכָל־עֵת֙ - bechol-ēt). Meaning "at every time, constantly." This emphasizes the continuous and accessible nature of the new judicial system, resolving disputes without delay and reflecting the regular need for governance.
• the hard causes: (הַדָּבָר֙ הַקָּשֶׁ֔ה - ha-dāḇār haqqāšeh). Lit. "the difficult word/matter/thing." This denotes complex, unclear, or major legal disputes that required superior wisdom, direct divine guidance (through Moses), or the establishing of precedent-setting laws. Such cases likely involved matters of life and death, tribal boundaries, or issues directly concerning God's covenant.
• they brought: (יָבִ֣יאוּ - yāḇīʾū). Root בֹּא (bo’), "to bring, come." This indicates a system of appeals or referral. The local judges, recognizing the limits of their authority or expertise, would escalate such cases up the hierarchy.
• unto Moses: (אֶל־מֹשֶׁ֑ה - ʾel-Mōšeh). Moses remained the highest authority, God’s direct conduit for law and final judgment, especially for cases demanding divine revelation. This maintains his unique role while offloading routine burdens.
• but every small matter: (וְכָל־דָּבָר֙ קָטָ֔ן - vechol-dāḇār qāṭān). "Every small word/matter." These were common, simpler disputes, probably daily grievances, minor offenses, or contractual disagreements that did not require elaborate interpretation of divine law.
• they judged themselves: (שָׁפְט֣וּ - shāfṭū). Here, the verb "judged" refers specifically to the delegated judges. The use of "themselves" (implied in the subject of the verb in Hebrew) confirms that the local judges resolved these issues independently, reducing Moses' workload dramatically.

Words-group by words-group analysis:

• "And they judged the people at all seasons": This phrase highlights the effective and continuous functioning of the newly established judicial system. It assures constant availability of justice for the Israelite community, moving from a single bottleneck to widespread accessibility.
• "the hard causes they brought unto Moses": This defines the limit of the delegated authority and preserves Moses' critical role. It signifies the principle of judicial appeal, where complex cases ascend to a higher, more divinely-attuned authority. It ensured that groundbreaking or difficult legal interpretations were still handled directly by God's primary spokesman.
• "but every small matter they judged themselves": This clarifies the primary scope of the delegated judges' work. It represents the efficiency gained through the delegation, demonstrating how a large volume of common disputes could be handled quickly at a local level, preventing stagnation in justice and fostering widespread order.

Exodus 18 26 Bonus section

This verse serves as a foundational example of distributed leadership and a judicial system. It represents the first explicit "organizational chart" in the Bible for the fledgling nation of Israel. Jethro's counsel, subsequently implemented by Moses, demonstrates that wisdom for governance can come from external, unexpected sources (Jethro was a Midianite priest, not an Israelite, though he feared God). This humble reception of counsel by Moses models teachability for leaders. The criteria for selecting these judges ("able men, such as fear God, men of truth, hating covetousness") transcend mere skill, highlighting the critical importance of spiritual character and integrity in all who exercise authority within God’s people. The implementation fostered order and timely resolution, crucial for a nomadic nation prone to disputes in the wilderness, allowing them to better focus on their covenant relationship with Yahweh.

Exodus 18 26 Commentary

Exodus 18:26 encapsulates the success of Jethro’s wise counsel, implementing a pivotal organizational structure that served Israel effectively. It demonstrates not just administrative efficiency but also theological principle: that wise governance supports a people in their walk with God. Moses' acceptance of Jethro's advice was a testament to his humility and commitment to the welfare of God’s people. This delegation empowered lesser leaders to administer justice, teaching them leadership, discerning truth, and resolving conflict. The "hard causes" remained with Moses, ensuring that divine wisdom guided the most complex societal matters, solidifying Israel's identity under God's law. This arrangement prevented leadership burnout, distributed authority, and provided ready access to justice for the Israelite populace, underscoring the importance of shared burdens and qualified leadership within a divine mandate.

• Practical usage examples:
  • In a church, this principle advocates for delegating ministries and specific responsibilities to deacons or committees, allowing elders/pastors to focus on prayer, the ministry of the Word, and major spiritual oversight (Acts 6:1-7).
  • In a Christian family, it illustrates parents delegating age-appropriate responsibilities to children, empowering them while parents maintain overall guidance.
  • Any large Christian organization benefits from a hierarchical structure that allows lower-level leaders to address routine issues, while senior leaders handle strategic decisions and complex ethical dilemmas.