And let them judge the people at all seasons: and it shall be, that every great matter they shall bring unto thee, but every small matter they shall judge: so shall it be easier for thyself, and they shall bear the burden with thee.
EXODUS 18:22KJVWhat does Exodus 18:22 mean?
Exodus 18:22 describes how Moses should appoint others to judge the people regularly, letting them handle smaller disputes themselves, while only the most difficult cases are brought to Moses. This system would make Moses’ workload lighter, as others would share the responsibility of leading and judging the people.
In this verse, Jethro, Moses’ father-in-law, is advising Moses on how to manage the heavy burden of judging all the people’s issues by himself. Jethro suggests a practical system where trustworthy men are chosen to judge routine matters, so Moses only deals with the most significant problems. This advice comes as Moses leads a large community through the wilderness, facing many daily disputes and questions.
The Hebrew behind Exodus 18:22
- שָׁפַט (shaphat, H8199) — "judge": This word means to govern, decide, or give a legal verdict. Here, it highlights the role of these appointed leaders as decision-makers, not just mediators.
- עָם (am, H5971) — "people": This word refers to the whole community, emphasizing that the judging is for everyone, not just a select group.
- גָּדוֹל (gadol, H1419) — "great": Used for the "great matter," this word points to cases of major importance or complexity, which only Moses should handle.
- קָטָן (qatan, H6996) — "small": This word describes the everyday, less significant disputes that the appointed leaders can resolve, showing a clear division of responsibility.
- נָשָׂא (nasa, H5375) — "bear": This word means to carry or support. Here, it shows that the leaders are helping Moses carry the burden of leadership, not just doing tasks for him.
Why Exodus 18:22 matters
- Exodus 18:22 clears up the misconception that Moses was meant to handle every issue himself; instead, it shows the value of shared leadership and delegation.
- The verse highlights the importance of organizing community life so that no single person is overwhelmed, and everyone’s needs are addressed efficiently.
- This advice from Jethro sets the stage for how Israel would be governed throughout its history, showing early roots of structured leadership and justice among the people.