Exodus 18:13-26 NIV

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18:22

And let them judge the people at all times ,.... In their several districts, whenever a matter of difference between man and man arises, and the case is brought before them, let them judge impartially between them, and determine what is right and wrong, and execute judgment and justice truly; which would take off a great deal of business from the hands of Moses: and it shall be that every great matter they shall bring to thee ; any affair of great importance, and difficult of... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18:23

If thou shall do this thing ,.... Hearken to the advice given, and put it in execution, by choosing out of the people, and placing over them, judges qualified, as directed: and God command thee so; for he did not desire him to follow his advice any further than it appeared to be according to the will of God, which he doubted not he would inquire about; and if he found it was agreeable to it, and should pursue it: then thou shall be able to endure ; to continue in his office and post, and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18:24

So Moses hearkened to the voice of his father in law ,.... Considered what he said, weighed it well in his mind, and judged it good advice, and determined to follow it: and did all that he had said ; by choosing such men as he directed to, and committing the judgment of the people to them, as follows: read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18:25

And Moses chose able men out of all Israel ,.... He looked among them, and selected the best of them, such as most answered to the qualifications it was requisite they should have; and though only one of them is here mentioned, which is the first Jethro gave, yet no doubt they were all attended to, though not expressed: and made them heads over the people ; rulers, governors, judges, and officers; this is a general word, comprehending their several particular offices they sustained;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18:26

And they judged the people at all seasons ,.... Any day in the week, or any time in the day, whenever there was any occasion for them, and cases were brought before them: the hard cases they brought unto Moses ; that is, the judges brought them to Moses when such came before them which were too hard for them, it was difficult to them to determine rightly about them, then they brought them to be heard and decided by him; for the judges, and not the people, best knew when a case was hard... 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

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18:22

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18:23

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18:24

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18:25

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18:26

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

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