Exodus 18:16 NIV

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 18:13-27

Here is, I. The great zeal and industry of Moses as a magistrate. 1. Having been employed to redeem Israel out of the house of bondage, herein he is a further type of Christ, that he is employed as a lawgiver and a judge among them. (1.) He was to answer enquiries, to acquaint them with the will of God in doubtful cases, and to explain the laws of God that were already given them, concerning the sabbath, the man, etc., beside the laws of nature, relating both to piety and equity, Exod. 18:15.... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18:16

When they have a matter, they come unto me ,.... This is the other thing he did for them, as the above writer observes; which being last mentioned, he speaks of first, as follows, meaning that when there was a matter in difference between two persons or more, and they could not agree upon it among themselves, then they brought it to him to be heard and decided: and I judge between one and another ; hear what they have to say on both sides, and then judge which is in the right and which... 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

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 18:13-16

The Christian in Public Paths. "Moses sat to judge the people: and the people," etc. ( Exodus 18:13 ). Explain with accuracy the work of Moses. On such a text might be based a homily on the functions, work and bearing of a civil magistrate or judge. But it is better to give the subject a wider application, and to treat it under Christian lights. I. THE FUNCTIONS OF A CHRISTIAN . Moses sat as a prophet, expounding the Divine will, as revealed to his exalted soul by the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 18:13-26

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 18:13-26

Jethro's advice. In considering this passage it is desirable to form some distinct opinion as to the time of Jethro's visit to Moses . How comes this episode to be mentioned at all , and what is its point of attachment to the main course of the history? Evidently it would not have been inserted unless as explaining how these rulers of thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens, had first been appointed. The origin of this appointment is then seen to be traceable to Jethro's prudent and... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 18:13-27

The appointment of judges. During the few days that Jethro was with Moses, he did the latter an essential service, and initiated nothing short of a revolution in the manner of conducting judicial business. Besides its immediate lessons (noted below), this incident of the appointment of judges is valuable as illustrating— 1 . The scope left in the arrangements of Israel for the independent action of the human mind. Various examples of this occur in the history— e.g; the retention of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 18:13-27

Good counsel well taken. I. ZEAL MAY OUTRUN DISCRETION . 1 . Moses' strength was overtaxed, his spirit needlessly burdened. 2 . There was delay for the people with its vexation and loss. The most self-sacrificing love will not of itself make our methods the best and wisest. II. WHAT IS NEEDFUL FOR THE GIVING OF ADVICE . 1 . Affectionate interest and care. The people's need and Moses' burden both weigh upon Jethro's spirit. 2 . Wisdom. A ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 18:14-23

The unwisdom of a monopoly of power. The principle of the division of labour, which is essential to progress in the arts, was well known in Egypt, and was applied there, not to the arts only, but also to government and administration. Moses, who had resided forty years at the court of a Pharaoh ( Acts 7:23 ), must have been thoroughly acquainted with the fact that, in a well-ordered community, judicial functions were separated kern legislative and administrative, and entrusted to a large... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 18:16

I judge … and I do make them know the statutes of God . As the Israelites were, up to this time, without any code of written laws, Moses took the opportunity furnished by such cases as came before him, to lay down principles of law, and enjoin them upon the people; thus making them to know the statutes of God and his eternal unwritten laws. Such a practice would not have been necessary after the giving of the law on Mount Sinai; and its existence at the time of Jethro's visit helps to fix... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Exodus 18:13-27

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Exodus 18:16

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

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 18:13-16

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 18:13-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 18:13-26

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 18:13-27

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 18:13-27

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 18:14-23

The Pulpit Commentary - Exodus 18:16

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