Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version They served as judges for the people at all times. The difficult cases they brought to Moses, but the simple ones they decided themselves. New Living Translation 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. English Standard Version And they judged the people at all times. Any hard case they brought to Moses, but any small matter they decided themselves. Berean Standard Bible And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves. Berean Literal Bible And they judged the people at all times; the hard matter they would bring to Moses, and every small matter they would judge themselves. King James Bible And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. New King James Version So they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but they judged every small case themselves. New American Standard Bible Then they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult matter to Moses, but they would judge every minor matter themselves. NASB 1995 They judged the people at all times; the difficult dispute they would bring to Moses, but every minor dispute they themselves would judge. NASB 1977 And they judged the people at all times; the difficult dispute they would bring to Moses, but every minor dispute they themselves would judge. Legacy Standard Bible And they judged the people at all times; the difficult matter they would bring to Moses, but every minor matter they themselves would judge. Amplified Bible And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but every minor dispute they judged and decided themselves. Berean Annotated Bible And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses (drawn out), but any minor issue they would judge themselves. Christian Standard Bible They judged the people at all times; they would bring the hard cases to Moses, but they would judge every minor case themselves. Holman Christian Standard Bible They judged the people at all times; they would bring the hard cases to Moses, but they would judge every minor case themselves. American Standard Version And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. Contemporary English Version They served as judges, deciding the easy cases themselves, but bringing the more difficult ones to Moses. English Revised Version And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. GOD'S WORD® Translation These men were the ones who usually settled disagreements among the people. They would bring difficult cases to Moses, but they settled all minor ones themselves. Good News Translation They served as judges for the people on a permanent basis, bringing the difficult cases to Moses but deciding the smaller disputes themselves. International Standard Version They judged the people at all times; the difficult matters they brought to Moses, but every minor matter they judged. NET Bible They judged the people under normal circumstances; the difficult cases they would bring to Moses, but every small case they would judge themselves. New Heart English Bible They judged the people at all times. They brought the hard causes to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. Webster's Bible Translation And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. Majority Text Translations Majority Standard BibleAnd they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves. World English Bible They judged the people at all times. They brought the hard cases to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand they have judged the people at all times; they bring the hard matter to Moses, and they judge every small matter themselves. Berean Literal Bible And they judged the people at all times; the hard matter they would bring to Moses, and every small matter they would judge themselves. Young's Literal Translation and they have judged the people at all times; the hard matter they bring in unto Moses, and every small matter they judge themselves. Smith's Literal Translation And they judged the people in all time; and the hard word they brought to Moses, and every small word they will judge themselves. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd they judged the people at all times: and whatsoever was of greater difficulty they referred to him, and they judged the easier cases only. Catholic Public Domain Version And they judged the people at all times. But whatever was more serious, they referred to him, and they judged easier matters only. New American Bible They rendered decisions for the people in all routine cases. The more difficult cases they referred to Moses, but all the lesser cases they settled themselves. New Revised Standard Version And they judged the people at all times; hard cases they brought to Moses, but any minor case they decided themselves. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd they judged the people at all times; the hard cases they brought to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And they were judging the people at all times, and they were bringing difficult matters to Moshe, and they were judging little matters. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought unto Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. Brenton Septuagint Translation And they judged the people at all times; and every too burdensome matter they brought to Moses, but every light matter they judged themselves. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Jethro Advises Moses…25So Moses chose capable men from all Israel and made them heads over the people as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens. 26And they judged the people at all times; they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves. 27Then Moses sent his father-in-law on his way, and Jethro returned to his own land.… Cross References And they judged the people at all times; Deuteronomy 16:18-20 You are to appoint judges and officials for your tribes in every town that the LORD your God is giving you. They are to judge the people with righteous judgment. / Do not deny justice or show partiality. Do not accept a bribe, for a bribe blinds the eyes of the wise and twists the words of the righteous. / Pursue justice, and justice alone, so that you may live, and you may possess the land that the LORD your God is giving you. 2 Chronicles 19:5-7 He appointed judges in the land, in each of the fortified cities of Judah. / Then he said to the judges, “Consider carefully what you do, for you are not judging for man, but for the LORD, who is with you when you render judgment. / And now, may the fear of the LORD be upon you. Be careful what you do, for with the LORD our God there is no injustice or partiality or bribery.” 1 Samuel 7:15-16 So Samuel judged Israel all the days of his life. / Every year he would go on a circuit from Bethel to Gilgal to Mizpah, judging Israel in all these places. they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, Deuteronomy 1:17 Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.” Deuteronomy 17:8-11 If a case is too difficult for you to judge, whether the controversy within your gates is regarding bloodshed, lawsuits, or assaults, you must go up to the place the LORD your God will choose. / You are to go to the Levitical priests and to the judge who presides at that time. Inquire of them, and they will give you a verdict in the case. / You must abide by the verdict they give you at the place the LORD will choose. Be careful to do everything they instruct you, … Numbers 27:1-5 Now the daughters of Zelophehad son of Hepher, the son of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, belonged to the clans of Manasseh son of Joseph. These were the names of his daughters: Mahlah, Noah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Tirzah. They approached / the entrance to the Tent of Meeting, stood before Moses, Eleazar the priest, the leaders, and the whole congregation, and said, / “Our father died in the wilderness, but he was not among the followers of Korah who gathered together against the LORD. Instead, he died because of his own sin, and he had no sons. … but any minor issue they would judge themselves. Proverbs 25:8-10 do not bring hastily to court. Otherwise, what will you do in the end when your neighbor puts you to shame? / Argue your case with your neighbor without betraying another’s confidence, / lest he who hears you bring shame upon you, and your infamy never go away. Matthew 18:15-17 If your brother sins against you, go and confront him privately. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. / But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ / If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, regard him as you would a pagan or a tax collector. 1 Corinthians 6:4-5 So if you need to settle everyday matters, do you appoint as judges those of no standing in the church? / I say this to your shame. Is there really no one among you wise enough to arbitrate between his brothers? Deuteronomy 1:15-18 So I took the leaders of your tribes, wise and respected men, and appointed them as leaders over you—as commanders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties, and of tens, and as officers for your tribes. / At that time I charged your judges: “Hear the disputes between your brothers, and judge fairly between a man and his brother or a foreign resident. / Show no partiality in judging; hear both small and great alike. Do not be intimidated by anyone, for judgment belongs to God. And bring to me any case too difficult for you, and I will hear it.” … Numbers 11:16-17 Then the LORD said to Moses, “Bring Me seventy of the elders of Israel known to you as leaders and officers of the people. Bring them to the Tent of Meeting and have them stand there with you. / And I will come down and speak with you there, and I will take some of the Spirit that is on you and put that Spirit on them. They will help you bear the burden of the people, so that you do not have to bear it by yourself. Acts 6:1-7 In those days when the disciples were increasing in number, the Grecian Jews among them began to grumble against the Hebraic Jews because their widows were being overlooked in the daily distribution of food. / So the Twelve summoned all the disciples and said, “It is unacceptable for us to neglect the word of God in order to wait on tables. / Therefore, brothers, select from among you seven men confirmed to be full of the Spirit and wisdom. We will assign this responsibility to them … 1 Kings 3:16-28 At that time two prostitutes came to the king and stood before him. / One woman said, “Please, my lord, this woman and I live in the same house, and I gave birth while she was in the house. / On the third day after I gave birth, this woman also had a baby. We were alone, with no one in the house but the two of us. … 1 Corinthians 6:1-6 If any of you has a grievance against another, how dare he go to law before the unrighteous instead of before the saints! / Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? / Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life! … Romans 13:1-4 Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which is from God. The authorities that exist have been appointed by God. / Consequently, whoever resists authority is opposing what God has set in place, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves. / For rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Do you want to be unafraid of the one in authority? Then do what is right, and you will have his approval. … Proverbs 11:14 For lack of guidance, a nation falls, but with many counselors comes deliverance. Treasury of Scripture And they judged the people at all seasons: the hard causes they brought to Moses, but every small matter they judged themselves. at all Exodus 18:14,22 And when Moses' father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even? … the hard causes Exodus 18:15,22 And Moses said unto his father in law, Because the people come unto me to inquire of God: … Deuteronomy 17:8 If there arise a matter too hard for thee in judgment, between blood and blood, between plea and plea, and between stroke and stroke, being matters of controversy within thy gates: then shalt thou arise, and get thee up into the place which the LORD thy God shall choose; 1 Kings 3:16-28 Then came there two women, that were harlots, unto the king, and stood before him… Jump to Previous Cases Causes Decided Difficult Dispute Hard Judge Judged Judges Matter Minor Moses Ones Point Questions Seasons Served Simple Small Themselves TimesJump to Next Cases Causes Decided Difficult Dispute Hard Judge Judged Judges Matter Minor Moses Ones Point Questions Seasons Served Simple Small Themselves TimesExodus 18 1. Jethro brings his wife and two sons to Moses7. Moses entertains him, and relates the goodness of the Lord 9. Jethro rejoices, blesses God, and offers sacrifice 13. He gives good counsel, which is accepted 27. Jethro departs And they judged the people at all times; This phrase indicates the establishment of a judicial system among the Israelites. The context is Jethro's advice to Moses to delegate responsibilities to capable men, which reflects an early form of organized governance. This system ensured continuous access to justice, preventing Moses from being overwhelmed. It highlights the importance of constant and fair judgment, a principle echoed in Deuteronomy 16:18-20, where judges are instructed to judge fairly and without partiality. they would bring the difficult cases to Moses, but any minor issue they would judge themselves. Persons / Places / Events 1. MosesThe central figure in the Book of Exodus, Moses is the leader of the Israelites, chosen by God to lead His people out of Egypt. In this context, he is the primary judge and leader of the people. 2. Jethro Moses' father-in-law, who advised Moses to delegate the task of judging the people to capable men to prevent burnout and inefficiency. 3. Israelites The people of God who were delivered from slavery in Egypt and are now in the wilderness, learning to live under God's law and leadership. 4. Judges Appointed leaders among the Israelites who were tasked with handling minor disputes, allowing Moses to focus on more significant issues. 5. Wilderness The setting where the Israelites are journeying towards the Promised Land, a place of testing, learning, and growth in their relationship with God. Teaching Points Delegation and LeadershipEffective leadership involves recognizing one's limitations and empowering others to share responsibilities. This prevents burnout and ensures that all matters are addressed efficiently. Wisdom in Judgment The appointed judges needed wisdom and discernment to handle disputes. This highlights the importance of seeking God's guidance and wisdom in decision-making. Community and Accountability The structure of shared leadership fosters a sense of community and accountability. It encourages participation and responsibility among all members. Prioritizing Responsibilities Leaders must prioritize their responsibilities, focusing on tasks that align with their calling and gifting, while entrusting others with appropriate duties. Learning from Elders Jethro's advice to Moses underscores the value of learning from those with more experience and wisdom, reminding us to remain teachable and open to counsel. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Exodus 18:26?2. How does Exodus 18:26 demonstrate effective delegation in leadership roles today? 3. What can we learn from Moses' example about handling "difficult cases"? 4. How does Exodus 18:26 connect with New Testament teachings on church leadership? 5. In what ways can we apply Moses' delegation strategy in our daily lives? 6. Why is it important to "judge the people at all times" in community? 7. How does Exodus 18:26 reflect the delegation of authority in ancient Israelite society? 8. What does Exodus 18:26 reveal about Moses' leadership style and decision-making process? 9. How does the judicial system in Exodus 18:26 compare to modern legal systems? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Exodus 18? 11. Who were the biblical prophets? 12. Why would Moses need leadership advice from a non-Israelite (Exodus 18:13–26) after direct guidance from God elsewhere in Exodus? 13. Does 1 Samuel 9:15-17, describing God's direct revelation to Samuel about Saul, conflict with other biblical texts suggesting a more gradual or indirect selection of leaders? 14. Is there any historical or archaeological evidence outside the Bible that supports the judicial structure described in Exodus 18:21-22? What Does Exodus 18:26 Mean They judged the people at all timesExodus 18:26 begins, “And they judged the people at all times.” • Moses followed Jethro’s counsel (Exodus 18:17-23), appointing “able men” as judges so justice never paused. • Continuous availability reflects God’s heart for consistent righteousness (Deuteronomy 16:18-20; 2 Chronicles 19:5-7). • Because sin and disputes arise daily, a perpetual court protected the community from festering grievances (Psalm 82:2-4). • Practical takeaway: God values orderly, nonstop care for His people, pointing ahead to Christ the perfect Judge who is always interceding (Hebrews 7:25). They would bring the difficult cases to Moses The verse continues, “they would bring the difficult cases to Moses.” • Lesser judges recognized limits and deferred when issues surpassed their wisdom—humility in leadership (Numbers 27:1-5). • Moses functioned as supreme earthly court, seeking the Lord for final verdicts (Exodus 33:7-11; Numbers 9:6-8). • God preserved unity by providing a clear chain of authority (1 Corinthians 14:33, 40). • This pattern foreshadows Christ, the ultimate Lawgiver to whom every hard case is ultimately brought (Isaiah 33:22; John 5:22-23). But any minor issue they would judge themselves The verse closes, “but any minor issue they would judge themselves.” • Delegation freed Moses for prayer and national oversight (Acts 6:2-4 mirrors this principle). • Everyday disagreements were settled quickly, preventing bitterness (Matthew 5:25-26; Ephesians 4:26-27). • Ordinary Israelites learned God’s statutes firsthand through local rulings (Deuteronomy 4:9), fostering spiritual maturity. • By trusting qualified men with small matters, God modeled shared leadership for families, churches, and communities today (Titus 1:5). summary Exodus 18:26 illustrates God-given delegation: constant justice through local judges, escalation of complex cases to God’s chosen leader, and swift resolution of minor disputes. The verse teaches humility, order, and shared responsibility, while pointing ahead to Christ, the final and flawless Judge who ensures righteous judgment for all. Verse 26. - At all seasons. See the comment on verse 22. The hard causes they brought unto Moses. It must have been left to the discretion of the judges to determine whether a cause was hard or easy, a great or a little matter. Probably only those causes which seemed "hard" to the "rulers of thousands" were brought before Moses for decision. CHAPTER 18:27 Hebrew And they judgedוְשָׁפְט֥וּ (wə·šā·p̄ə·ṭū) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Conjunctive perfect - third person common plural Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate the people הָעָ֖ם (hā·‘ām) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 5971: A people, a tribe, troops, attendants, a flock at all בְּכָל־ (bə·ḵāl) Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every times; עֵ֑ת (‘êṯ) Noun - common singular Strong's 6256: Time, now, when they would bring יְבִיא֣וּן (yə·ḇî·’ūn) Verb - Hifil - Imperfect - third person masculine plural | Paragogic nun Strong's 935: To come in, come, go in, go the difficult הַקָּשֶׁה֙ (haq·qā·šeh) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 7186: Hard, severe cases הַדָּבָ֤ר (had·dā·ḇār) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause to אֶל־ (’el-) Preposition Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to Moses, מֹשֶׁ֔ה (mō·šeh) Noun - proper - masculine singular Strong's 4872: Moses -- a great Israelite leader, prophet and lawgiver but any וְכָל־ (wə·ḵāl) Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every minor הַקָּטֹ֖ן (haq·qā·ṭōn) Article | Adjective - masculine singular Strong's 6996: Small, young, unimportant issue הַדָּבָ֥ר (had·dā·ḇār) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 1697: A word, a matter, thing, a cause they would judge יִשְׁפּוּט֥וּ (yiš·pū·ṭū) Verb - Qal - Imperfect - third person masculine plural Strong's 8199: To judge, pronounce sentence, to vindicate, punish, to govern, to litigate themselves. הֵֽם׃ (hêm) Pronoun - third person masculine plural Strong's 1992: They Links Exodus 18:26 NIVExodus 18:26 NLT Exodus 18:26 ESV Exodus 18:26 NASB Exodus 18:26 KJV Exodus 18:26 BibleApps.com Exodus 18:26 Biblia Paralela Exodus 18:26 Chinese Bible Exodus 18:26 French Bible Exodus 18:26 Catholic Bible OT Law: Exodus 18:26 They judged the people at all times (Exo. Ex) |
    |