Exodus 18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:11

Now I know that the Lord is greater than all gods - Some think that Jethro was now converted to the true God; but it is very probable that he enjoyed this blessing before he knew any thing of Moses, for it is not likely that Moses would have entered into an alliance with this family had they been heathens. Jethro no doubt had the true patriarchal religion. Wherein they dealt proudly - Acting as tyrants over the people of God; enslaving them in the most unprincipled manner, and still... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:12

Jethro - took a burnt-offering - עלה olah . Though it be true that in the patriarchal times we read of a burnt-offering, (see Genesis 22:2 , etc)., yet we only read of one in the case of Isaac, and therefore, though this offering made by Jethro is not a decisive proof that the law relative to burnt-offerings, etc., had already been given, yet, taken with other circumstances in this account, it is a presumptive evidence that the meeting between Moses and Jethro took place after the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:13

To judge the people - To hear and determine controversies between man and man, and to give them instruction in things appertaining to God. From the morning unto the evening - Moses was obliged to sit all day, and the people were continually coming and going. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:15

The people come unto me to inquire of God - To know the mind and will of God on the subject of their inquiries. Moses was the mediator between God and the people; and as they believed that all justice and judgment must come from him, therefore they came to Moses to know what God had spoken. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:16

I do make them know the statutes of God, and his laws - These words are so very particular that they leave little room for doubt that the law had been given. Such words would scarcely have been used had not the statutes and laws been then in existence. And this is one of the proofs that the transaction mentioned here stands out of its due chronological order; See Clarke's note on Exodus 18:5 . read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:18

Thou wilt surely wear away - תבל נבל nabol tibbol , in wearing way, thou wilt wear away - by being thus continually employed, thou wilt soon become finally exhausted. And this people that is with thee; as if he had said, "Many of them are obliged to wait so long for the determination of their suit that their patience must be soon necessarily worn out, as there is no one to hear every cause but thyself." read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:19

I will give thee counsel, and God shall be with thee - Jethro seems to have been a man of great understanding and prudence. His advice to Moses was most appropriate and excellent; and it was probably given under the immediate inspiration of God, for after such sacrificial rites, and public acknowledgment of God, the prophetic spirit might be well expected to descend and rest upon him. God could have showed Moses the propriety and necessity of adopting such measures before, but he chose in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:20

Thou shalt teach them ordinances - חקים chukkim , all such precepts as relate to the ceremonies of religion and political economy. And laws, התורת hattoroth , the instructions relative to the whole system of morality. And shalt show them the way - הדרך אה eth hadderech , That very Way, that only way, which God himself has revealed, and in which they should walk in order to please him, and get their souls everlastingly saved. And the work that they must do - For it was not... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:21

Able men - Persons of wisdom, discernment, judgment, prudence, and fortitude; for who can be a ruler without these qualifications? Such as fear God - Who are truly religious, without which they will feel little concerned either for the bodies or souls of the people. Men of truth - Honest and true in their own hearts and lives; speaking the truth, and judging according to the truth. Hating covetousness - Doing all for God's sake, and love to man; laboring to promote the general good;... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:23

If thou shalt do this thing, and God command thee - Though the measure was obviously of the utmost importance, and plainly recommended itself by its expediency and necessity; yet Jethro very modestly leaves it to the wisdom of Moses to choose or reject it; and, knowing that in all things his relative was now acting under the immediate direction of God, intimates that no measure can be safely adopted without a positive injunction from God himself. As the counsel was doubtless inspired by the... read more

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:11

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:12

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:13

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:15

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:16

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:18

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:19

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:20

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:21

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Exodus 18:23

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